Friday 13th November 2026
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has conferred an honorary Doctor of Law degree (Honoris Causa) on the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, OFR, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the legal profession, education and philanthropy.
The conferment took place during the university’s 10th and 11th combined convocation ceremonies, covering the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
The university graduated a total of 964 students, with 116 of them earning First Class honours.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who also chairs the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, delivered the convocation lecture on November 12, 2026, at the newly constructed Beatrice Ademolawe Ojo Multipurpose Auditorium.
During the lecture, Justice Kekere-Ekun reportedly commended the university’s Founder and Visitor, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, OON, for his vision and encouraged the institution to preserve and strengthen the values upon which it was established.
Justice Adejumo is a distinguished jurist and experienced judicial administrator who has served the Nigerian judiciary for several decades. Born on October 1, 1954, in Ikaramu-Akoko, Ondo State, he served as President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria until his retirement in 2019.
His tenure as President of the National Industrial Court was characterised by significant legal reforms, infrastructural development and the expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. He also contributed to extending the Court’s presence across the country to improve access to justice.
Justice Adejumo assumed office as Administrator of the National Judicial Institute on August 1, 2025, becoming the ninth Administrator of the Institute. His relationship with the institution dates back to 1993.
Under his leadership, the Institute has continued to strengthen its mandate of providing training and capacity development for judicial officers and court personnel across Nigeria, while pursuing a vision of attaining world-class standards.
The conferment of the honorary degree is seen as further recognition of Justice Adejumo’s longstanding contributions to judicial administration, legal education and the development of the Nigerian justice system.
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