Meet 26-Year-Old Nigerian Who Became the Youngest PhD Holder in Law from Africa

In a remarkable feat of academic achievement, Dr. Aderomola (Romola) Adeola, a 26-year-old Nigerian, has become the youngest person to attain a PhD in Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Driven by her passion for migration and refugee studies, Romola's journey from Nigeria to earning this prestigious title is nothing short of inspiring.

Growing up in Nigeria exposed Romola to the plight of internally displaced persons due to conflicts and violence, motivating her to utilize her legal expertise to support vulnerable communities. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from Lagos State University in 2010 and continued her academic pursuit with a Master of Laws degree at the University of Pretoria, specializing in human rights and democratization in Africa.

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Romola's dedication and scholarly excellence were evident when her master's thesis, focusing on the legal protection of internally displaced persons in Africa, received the best thesis award from the African Union Commission. Building on this success, she embarked on her doctoral studies at the same university, guided by Professor Frans Viljoen, the director of the Centre for Human Rights. Her PhD thesis, examining the African human rights system's response to migration and displacement, garnered praise from examiners for its originality and innovation.

Expressing gratitude to her mentor, Professor Viljoen, Romola stated, "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."