By Sunday Ameh
Mrs. Funmilayo Lawal Temokun has been called to the Nigerian Bar, marking the successful completion of her transition from the biological sciences to the legal profession.
The Call to Bar ceremony was held on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Her husband, renowned human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, Tope Temokun, described the occasion as both a personal milestone and an expansion of the family’s commitment to justice, public service and social change.
According to him, his wife’s admission into the legal profession represents more than the attainment of a professional qualification, as it reflects her resolve to contribute to the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.
Temokun said Funmilayo had always displayed exceptional brilliance, determination and intellectual curiosity from an early age. While at St. Helen’s Unity Secondary School, Ondo, she combined science subjects with Literature in English, the only arts subject she offered, a decision he said foreshadowed her eventual career in law.
She later gained admission to study Zoology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, although her original ambition was to study Medicine. During her undergraduate years, she repeatedly sat for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in an effort to secure admission into Medicine but narrowly missed out because of the intense competition.
According to Temokun, her passion for law took shape during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Abeokuta, where she served at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), located opposite the Federal High Court.
He recalled that after accompanying him to the court one day, she expressed her desire to return to school to study Law.
“I laughed when she told me,” Temokun said, noting that he was then a struggling young lawyer and could not understand what had inspired her interest in the profession.
He also recounted that during a public event, when Funmilayo was asked why she chose to study Law after earning a degree in the biological sciences, she simply replied: “My husband is my role model.”
Temokun described the response as one of the most fulfilling moments of his life, saying it affirmed that his dedication to the legal profession had inspired his wife to embrace the same path.
Welcoming her into the profession, he said, “I welcome Funmi to the league, not just as my wife, but also as my learned junior, colleague and comrade in the continuing struggle to build a better country.”
He stressed that the legal profession demands service, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to justice, adding that his wife’s Call to Bar marks the beginning of a new chapter of professional partnership, public service and advocacy for social justice.
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