Abayomi Susan
…Determination, Resilience and Divine Grace Crown Decades of Academic Pursuit
History was made on July 21, 2026, as one of Nigeria’s distinguished legal practitioners, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, formally received the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Law from Babcock University.
For many, the occasion may appear to be another academic milestone. But for Dr. Ubani, the conferment of the doctoral degree represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream shaped by decades of perseverance, sacrifice, resilience and unwavering faith in God.
His story is a remarkable testament to the triumph of destiny over circumstance — the journey of a young village boy whose father once envisioned a career as a mechanic for him, but who, through determination, intellectual excellence and divine direction, rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and now a Doctor of Philosophy in Law.
Dr. Ubani’s academic journey began in the late 1970s at Awomukwu Primary School in present-day Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional academic ability. At the completion of his primary education, he and another pupil, Moses Ndulewe from Amapu in Awomukwu, emerged as the only two students who obtained credit passes in the First School Leaving Certificate Examination conducted by the then Imo State Government before the creation of Abia State.
His outstanding performance attracted the attention of his Headmaster, Mr. Ahia of Oboro, Ikwuano, who immediately recognised the rare potential in the young scholar. The Headmaster’s conviction was clear: such a promising child must never be denied education.
Those words would later become a defining prophecy in Dr. Ubani’s life.
Following his impressive performance in the Common Entrance Examination, young Ubani secured admission into Ariam Secondary School. However, his father had a different plan for his future. Like many parents of that era who valued vocational training and economic security, he wanted his son to become a company-trained mechanic with Dunlop Nigeria Limited.
The plan, however, did not materialise. The person entrusted with bringing his First School Leaving Certificate from the village to Lagos for his resumption as a trainee mechanic encountered a major setback when his vehicle broke down at Ore, Ondo State. As a result, the certificate did not arrive on time, and young Ubani lost the opportunity.
What appeared to be a disappointment turned out to be a divine redirection.
At that critical moment, his uncle, Mr. Reuben Agwu, intervened by reminding his father of the Headmaster’s earlier counsel that the young Ubani possessed exceptional intellectual potential and should not be denied formal education.
That intervention changed the course of history.
The path to becoming a mechanic was abandoned, and the journey towards academic excellence began.
Dr. Ubani successfully completed his secondary education, obtained his GCE, and gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1983 to study Political Science. After completing two years in the programme, he experienced another turning point.
Inspired by the courage and advocacy of legendary human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, he developed a deep passion for law and made the bold decision to change his course of study.
The decision came with a heavy sacrifice. He forfeited two years already spent studying Political Science and began afresh as a Law student in 1985.
For many, the decision would have seemed too costly. But for Ubani, purpose was more important than convenience.
The sacrifice eventually paid off. He graduated from the University of Nigeria in 1989 with a Second Class Upper Division degree in Law and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where he again distinguished himself academically. In 1990, he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division, becoming the only graduate from the University of Nigeria’s 1989 Law Class to achieve that distinction in his Nigerian Law School set.
After completing his National Youth Service Corps programme in Kano State, Dr. Ubani pursued further academic development at the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Comparative Constitutional Law.
Although he had the ambition to proceed immediately for a PhD, professional demands, family responsibilities and the realities of building a legal career delayed the dream.
Over the years, his legal practice flourished. He became a respected voice on constitutional matters, public affairs and human rights advocacy. His contributions to society eventually earned him the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, one of the highest honours in the Nigerian legal profession.
Despite his professional accomplishments and previous honorary doctorate recognitions from two institutions, one ambition remained unfulfilled — earning a research-based doctoral degree through rigorous academic scholarship.
In December 2021, determined to achieve that goal, Dr. Ubani enrolled in the PhD in Law programme at Babcock University.
However, tragedy struck shortly afterwards. In January 2022, his father passed away at the age of 101. As the only surviving son and child, Dr. Ubani took on the responsibility of organising his father’s burial rites and temporarily suspended his doctoral programme.
Following the burial in April 2022, returning to academic work proved challenging due to grief, professional obligations and family responsibilities.
At this difficult period, encouragement came from academics who believed in his ability to complete the journey. Professor Mrs. Titilayo Owolabi, Professor Dorcas Odunaike and Dr. Ibe Moses consistently motivated and encouraged him to return to his studies.
Their support reignited his determination, and he resumed his doctoral programme with renewed commitment.
Balancing legal practice, public service, family responsibilities, church commitments and doctoral research was demanding, but Dr. Ubani remained focused.
In 2025, another painful loss occurred when his mother passed away at the age of 90, just as he was preparing to complete his thesis. Despite the emotional setback, he remained resolute.
After the burial ceremonies in December 2025, he returned to the final stage of his doctoral work with renewed strength, discipline and determination.
Today, that long-awaited dream has become reality.
After years of extensive research, academic dedication, resilience and divine grace, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, PhD, has successfully completed the requirements for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Law.
The July 21, 2026 convocation ceremony represents more than the attainment of an academic qualification. It marks the completion of a journey that began decades ago in a village classroom and was sustained by courage, sacrifice, faith and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
For his family, friends, colleagues, mentors and associates, the celebration is not merely about a degree but about a life defined by perseverance, discipline, service and trust in God.
The journey from Awomukwu Primary School to the pinnacle of legal scholarship stands as a powerful reminder that setbacks are temporary, dreams remain achievable, and determination can transform possibilities into reality.
As Dr. Ubani receives his PhD, he is not simply being honoured with an academic title; he is celebrating the fulfilment of a dream that survived delays, challenges and sacrifices.
Indeed, for Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, PhD — Mission Accomplished.
To God alone be all the glory.
