At the age of 26, most people are still figuring out their career paths and goals. But not Dr. Aderomola (Romola) Adeola. She is a young and brilliant scholar who has already achieved what many can only dream of: earning a PhD in Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where she graduated in 2016 as the youngest person to do so.
Romola’s interest in migration and refugee studies was sparked by her personal experience of growing up in Nigeria, where she witnessed the suffering of internally displaced persons due to conflicts and violence. She wanted to use her legal skills to help them and other vulnerable groups. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from Lagos State University in 2010, and then pursued her Master of Laws degree at the University of Pretoria, where she specialized in human rights and democratization in Africa.
Her master’s thesis, which focused on the legal protection of internally displaced persons in Africa, won the best thesis award from the African Union Commission. She then decided to continue her doctoral studies at the same university, under the guidance of Professor Frans Viljoen, the director of the Centre for Human Rights. Her PhD thesis, which examined the African human rights system’s response to migration and displacement, and suggested a framework for improving its effectiveness, was praised by her examiners as original and innovative.
But Romola is not just an outstanding student; she is also a passionate teacher and researcher. She has taught courses on human rights, refugee law, and migration at various universities in Africa and Canada. She is currently the Assistant Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University in Canada, where she leads the 2022 Summer Course on Refugees and Forced Migration, assists with CRS administration, and conducts a research project.
She has also been actively involved in various regional and international initiatives on migration and displacement issues. She has presented her research at several conferences and workshops, and has published several articles and book chapters on the topic. She is also a member of the African Union’s Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, where she works to protect and promote children’s rights in Africa.
Romola’s journey has not been easy. She faced many challenges as a young female scholar in a male-dominated field, and had to cope with financial difficulties, academic stress, and personal sacrifices. But she never gave up on her dreams, and always stayed positive and resilient. She attributes her success to her faith, her family, her mentors, and her friends, who supported her throughout her journey.
Romola’s story is an inspiration to many young people, especially girls and women, who want to pursue higher education and make a difference in their fields of interest. She is a role model for excellence, leadership, and service. She is also a proof that age is not a limit to achieving one’s goals, as long as one has passion, determination, and hard work.
In her own words: “I believe that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Don’t let anyone limit your potential. You have what it takes to succeed.”
She also shared some of her insights on migration and displacement issues with York University: “Migration is not a problem to be solved; it is a reality to be managed. Displacement is not inevitable; it is preventable. We need to adopt a human rights-based approach to migration governance that respects the dignity and agency of migrants and displaced persons.”
And she expressed her gratitude to her supervisor and mentor Professor Viljoen: “He was more than a supervisor; he was a father figure who guided me through every step of my academic journey. He challenged me to think critically and creatively about my research topic. He supported me with his expertise, his resources, his network, and his encouragement.”
Another Nigerian making great waves in the legal world is Chinyere Amanze. She recently received a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, one of the most prominent and demanding law schools in the world.
Chinyere stood out as a talented and dedicated student at Harvard Law School. She participated in a number of extracurricular groups, including the Harvard Women’s Law Association, the Harvard African Law Association, and the Harvard Law Review. She also took part in a number of pro bono assignments, internships, and moot court competitions.
She was given various accolades and prizes for her intellectual prowess and leadership potential, including the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans and the Latham & Watkins Diversity Scholarship. She had the privilege of meeting Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black female US Supreme Court judge in history, who broke a record that had stood for 233 years, on the day of her graduation. Read more about Chinyere story here.
Chinyere and Romola are young Nigerians taking the legal world by storm. They are changing narratives and making great impact. At Rising Africa, we want to celebrate these heroes. They are excellent young ladies.