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Meet-the-Scholar: An Interview with Abdullah Bello

This week’s Meet-the-Scholar features Abdullah Bello, a 500-level Law student at the University of Ibadan and the Chief Justice of the Law Students’ Society, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan. In this interview conducted by Tohir Najimdeen, Abdullah Bello reflects on his academic journey, leadership experience, challenges, and aspirations shaped by his studies and responsibilities.

You are a 500-level Law student who has maintained first-class academic standing through consistent excellence. What has been the key driving force behind your success?

Love! Yes, love for what I do. If you enjoy what you do, it gets easier. It has been my driving force so far. I would have said passion, but that is embedded in the love that I have for the legal profession.

In addition, I enjoy putting every effort into what I do. There's a saying that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. That has always been my mantra. So even when the love fades, I always have something to rejuvenate it.

What inspired you to choose Law as your course of study?

My inspiration to study law is funny, actually. I am someone who detests a strict status quo, I mean a fixed line of expectation.

You are good at Mathematics and other related subjects, and people believe you are destined for the sciences. I didn't want to go into the sciences because people thought I should. So, I opted for the Arts.

Influence also played a role in my inspiration. I had an aunt who made me interested in the Arts. Even as a primary school student, I was already exposed to advanced study of English and Literature. She would always find a way to teach me, and I would always want to learn. So, I was so indoctrinated in Arts long before my secondary school days that I couldn't resist the urge to delve into it.

As for law, it found me along the way. My initial interest was in communication and languages, but it changed after my dad fell victim to a land-related scam. That experience sparked something in me. Since then, I wanted to know more about how the law works and how the justice system operates. I wanted to understand the system well enough to protect people from what happened to my father.

You currently serve as the Chief Justice of the UI Law Students’ Society. How has this role influenced your academics, religious life, and relationships with others?

The role has influenced me greatly. Regarding academics, it pushes me to want to know better. In law, there is always a presumption that the court knows the law. I don't want to be in a situation where I will not have any idea about a matter. It has contributed to my academic acumen.

For the religious part, there is a little friction. In Islam, a Qādi is a judge who is required to embody the highest standards of justice, fairness, and moral uprightness. Those are qualities I strive to bring into my own role. However, the friction comes from the fact that maintaining those standards in a student environment, where social dynamics are complex and relationships are intertwined, is not always straightforward. I try my best to imbibe those qualities not just in my judicial role but in my everyday life.

Maintaining relationships has been the most challenging aspect of it. You don't want to be too friendly, you don't want to be partial to somebody, and you don't want to ignore greetings, because you are meant to be neutral to everybody. So, it requires me to be very deliberate about how I relate with people and maintain a careful balance between my role and personal relationships.

You participated in the Tunji Ogunrinde National Moot Competition and won the Best Counsel award. How did you feel about this achievement, and what do you think contributed to your success?

I felt happy, I felt elated. Since it was my first ever Moot Competition, I wanted to put in my all. I love getting things right at my first tryout.

A lot contributed to the success. First, Allah's blessing is the primary contribution. Second, my team members contributed immensely to the success. We wrote the best brief. Without their contributions, I would not have stood a chance of winning the Best Counsel award. Third, the team coaches. These are people with impeccable track records at Mooting. They saw the potential in me and brought it out. They trained us so hard. They wanted me to win. Lastly, my winning mentality. I don't just want to participate, I always want to be the best in what I do. I don't leave room for 'I could have done better.' So, I always prefer exhausting my all. If I win then it's fine, if I don't then I won't have a regret that I didn't put in everything.

As a legal researcher with several articles published on ResearchGate, what inspired your interest in academic research, and how has it influenced your growth in the legal field?

Quest for knowledge, that's it. When I find areas I don't know much about, I research them.

Well, I didn't start putting my work out until I had my first internship experience at A&A Attorneys LP. The managing partner, Barrister Abdulhamid, played an important role in my legal research journey. At the time, the former minister of power, Bayo Adelabu, had introduced a band system to ration electricity supply across Nigeria, categorising consumers into five bands, A to E, based on the number of hours of electricity they received daily. I was tasked with critiquing the legal and policy implications of that decision. It was intellectually challenging and eye-opening, and it marked the beginning of my legal research journey.

I have also had similar experiences with other law firms. Legal research has influenced my growth tremendously. I have been exposed to information that I might never come across within the four walls of the classroom, and it has constantly reminded me that there is always more to learn.

With all these leadership roles, how do you balance your leadership responsibilities with your academic excellence and commitments?

There is no balance, actually. You just need Allah's grace and strength in the process.
One thing I always do to control the situation is setting an order of priority for my schedule. I have a test tomorrow; I know I am reading today. I have an important deadline; I know I have to sort it before any other thing. Just set priorities and be disciplined. Also, don't panic because of the situations, there is always a way out. Be calm, always.

You have been a first-class student in a challenging course like Law since 100-level and are now in your final year. How have you been able to achieve and maintain this consistency?

Discipline has played a major role in maintaining the consistency. Since my 100-level days, I have always had a personal timetable. It keeps me on my toes.
Even when I am not able to follow it strictly due to some other responsibilities, there is something there reminding me that, "Dude, you should be doing this at this time." It gives me a sense of urgency.

Describe your academic journey so far, including any notable challenges or memorable experiences.

It has been a rollercoaster of a journey so far. My academic journey has been hectic, stressful, exciting, fun, and impactful. There is a whole lot to it.

One of the notable challenges was having to juggle a competition alongside exams. I recall having two exams in a single day while also preparing for a competition. It was an intense period that truly tested my ability to stay focused and composed under pressure. Looking back, I am proud of how I handled it.

The memorable experiences include winning competitions and travelling. The most memorable one is our trip to Ilorin for the NAMLAS National Seminar; a prestigious national gathering of law students from across the country where ideas are exchanged, friendships are formed, and the future of the legal profession is debated. It was an experience that broadened my perspective both academically and personally.

Apart from academics, what other interests, hobbies, or activities are you involved in?

I have deep interests in art and nature. There is something about observing art, studying its details, and allowing it to inspire something new within me that I find incredibly fulfilling. It gives me a kind of serenity that nothing else quite replicates. Having a background in branding, I am now venturing into product design, which feels like a natural progression of that creative journey.

My hobby is football. It is more than just a sport to me. It is a way to unwind, connect with others, and stay grounded. Whether I am playing or watching, it never fails to lift my spirit.

I also engage in long distance racing once in a while. There is something deeply liberating about it. It feels like escaping to a freedom land; a moment where it is just me, the road, and my thoughts. It clears my head in a way that few other things can.

How do you manage the stress and pressure of balancing leadership responsibilities with your field of study?

First, I know my limits. I know when I can no longer handle things. So, once I am stressed out, I use my coping mechanisms. Depending on the situation, I resort to different ones ; sleep, long walks, a good meal, or simply disconnecting from everything for a while. The key is listening to what your body and mind are telling you and responding accordingly.

For the pressure, I just don't think about it. The more you think about the pressure, the more pressured you become. I always try to maintain my confidence level and approach things as they come my way. Staying calm is not just a strategy for me, it is a discipline.

What advice do you have for other students, especially freshers, who are aiming to achieve consistent academic excellence while balancing leadership roles?

Dream broadly and with intention. Know what you want out of this citadel of learning, know the price it demands, and sincerely ask yourself if you are up for the bargain. The very first question I answered on this campus was, "What do you want out of this school?" The answer I gave that day is my reality today.

Don't deceive yourself. If you pay the price for excellence, loneliness, discipline, resisting the pull of trends, and so on, you will excel. There are no shortcuts.

Always learn from both sides: those who achieved what you want, and those who tried but failed at it. Both have valuable lessons to offer. One shows you the path, the other shows you the pitfalls.

Be ready to serve with purpose. If you don't find a purpose in that role, you need not take it. A role without purpose is a burden, not an opportunity.

Finally, don't forget your Deen in the process. The God-factor is important. Let Allah put Barokah in what you do. You will fly.