By Chioma Obinna

Obafemi Awolowo University on Saturday emerged winner of the maiden SSK Moot Court Competition, clinching the national title and producing the overall best student advocate in a contest that showcased the depth of legal talent in Nigerian universities.

The grand finale, held in Lagos and organised by Streamsowers and Köhn as part of its 20th anniversary Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, brought together some of the country’s brightest law students in a rigorous test of legal writing and oral advocacy.

OAU defeated Bayero University in the final round, with its lead counsel, Ase Hephzibah Adiamologi, emerging Best Advocate after impressing judges with her courtroom composure, mastery of legal issues and ability to think on her feet.

Although the judges ruled in favour of Bayero University on the substance of the case argued in the final, OAU secured the championship based on cumulative scores from the written memorials and oral advocacy stages.

The competition attracted entries from 17 universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the top five finalists emerging after an independent review process conducted by senior law lecturers.

The final five were University of Calabar, University of Lagos, University of Abuja, Bayero University and OAU. The participants include:

Ase Hephzibah Adiamologi and Olawole Olamilekan Ogidan from Obafemi Awolowo University, IsahGarba Bala and Farouk Sani Gwarzo from Bayero University Kano, Orelope Abdulbasit and Sidiq Abdulsalam Ope from University of Abuja, Shallom Osibodu and Taiwo Adeyeye Samuel from University of Lagos and the team from University of Calabar; Ogaragatha Ushang and Cyriacus Emmanuel.

Speaking at the event, SSK founding partner, Etigwe Uwa Etigwe, said the competition was conceived to give back to society by mentoring and exposing future lawyers to practical advocacy.

“We were empowered when we started. A lot of people invested in us through mentoring and teaching. This is our own way of encouraging the younger ones and putting them on the right path,” he said.

He said exposing students to real courtroom settings and real judges would inspire them to improve and understand the practical demands of legal practice.

Another partner, SAN, Chinasa Unaegbulam, described the exercise as more than a contest, saying it was a platform to groom future advocates.

“It’s where aspiring advocates learn to analyse complex issues and prepare for the challenges ahead. The written skills displayed by the students have been truly impressive,” she said.

Speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Streamsowers and Köhn, Modupe Olusoga, said the competition was deliberately designed as a legacy project to mark the firm’s 20th anniversary.

According to her, beyond celebrating the milestone, the firm wanted to create a platform that would expose law students to the realities of legal practice and help them discover broader career paths within the profession.

She said the performance of the students gave hope for the future of legal practice in Nigeria.

“It was a thing of pride for me. I was smiling all through because I could see the depth of knowledge, the capability and the capacity these students have. It shows there is hope for the future of law,” she said.

Also speaking, SSK partner Vincent Owhor said the competition reflected the firm’s commitment to strengthening legal education through practical exposure.

He noted that the close margins between contestants showed the quality of talent coming out of Nigerian universities.
For Ase Hephzibah, the victory was both humbling and motivating.

“The sky is not the limit; it is the starting point. Being named the best advocate is an opportunity and motivation to do better,” she said.

She credited her success to early training, mentorship and teamwork, while using the occasion to appeal for sponsorship for OAU’s participation in the forthcoming Christ of Heyns African Moot Court Competition.
According to her, many Nigerian universities often miss international opportunities because of funding constraints.

Organisers said the competition, which tested students on areas such as aviation, oil and gas, labour law and election petitions, would now become a recurring platform aimed at grooming the next generation of Nigerian legal practitioners.