From Academic Setback to Double First-Class Lawyer: The Remarkable Rise of Favour Idhugwe

At just 22 years old, Favour Idhugwe has emerged as a beacon of academic resilience, transitioning from an average student who once repeated a grade in secondary school to a double First-Class legal professional.

Her journey reached a historic peak this week in January 2026, as her achievements at the Nigerian Law School and Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) continue to inspire a new generation of Nigerian scholars.

Idhugwe’s transformation began at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), where she earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First-Class Honors in 2023. She maintained this momentum at the Nigerian Law School, where she was recently decorated with another First-Class standing in the 2025 cohort. Out of 4,429 students nationwide, Idhugwe ranked 31st, placing her among the top elite legal minds in the country.

Reflecting on her early struggles, Idhugwe shared that her academic future once seemed uncertain. "I was once an average student who went to school because she had to," she recalled. After being asked to repeat a class in secondary school, she initially felt that higher education might not be her calling. However, she cites discipline, faith, and a shift in mindset as the catalysts for her record-breaking success.