Israel Adekunle Adeniyi has emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the Nigerian Law School for the 2026 Call to Bar, capping an outstanding academic journey that began at the University of Ilorin.
The Offa-born, Adeniyi, who completed his Bar Part II programme at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School, was named the overall best graduating student at the 2026 Call to Bar ceremony.
Before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, he graduated as the best graduating student in the Common Law programme at the University of Ilorin with a cumulative grade point average of 4.83, the highest ever recorded in the faculty’s history.
The University of Ilorin Law Students’ Society was one of the several sources that confirmed this feat.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to ISRAEL ADEKUNLE ADENIYI as he emerges as the BEST GRADUATING STUDENT at the Nigerian Law School.
“We celebrate his great achievements which have continuously served as a source of inspiration for us all,” the association wrote in a post on X.
Following his latest accomplishment, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation honoured him with a ₦2m cash award.
The foundation disclosed in a statement on X that its founder, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, hosted Adeniyi for dinner in recognition of his exceptional academic performance.
“Our Founder, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, hosted Israel Adeniyi Adekunle for dinner following his excellent feat as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the Nigerian Law School at the just concluded 2026 Call to Bar Ceremony.
“Prior to this great feat, he emerged as the Best Graduating Student from the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.
“In recognition of his outstanding performance, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence, the ABS Foundation presented him with a ₦2,000,000 award,” the foundation stated.
It added that celebrating excellence remained central to its mission of encouraging outstanding young Nigerians.
Adeniyi’s emergence as the overall best graduate of the Nigerian Law School means he completed both his university education and professional legal training at the top of his class, cementing his place as one of the country’s brightest young lawyers.
