Akinpelu Rahmotullah

Olayemi Islamiyyah isn’t an average law student. A First Class finalist, she embodies a blend of academic brilliance and selfless leadership. She sits down with us to discuss her unique path to law, the invaluable lessons she learned as a student leader, and her exciting vision for the future of Islamic banking in Nigeria.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY WALK US THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY AS A LAW STUDENT AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO STUDY LAW?

I usually joke that I studied law just so people could call me “the law,” but the truth is there wasn’t a deep reason at first. I was simply the kind of person who argued well and always wanted the final word. Before I even got into the university, people around me would say I should study law. Later, when I gained admission and told others I was studying it, they said they weren’t surprised. From that point on, I became eager to pursue it. Even when my mom wanted me to switch to the science class in Senior Secondary School 1, I refused firmly.

My journey as a law student made me reflect deeply on Qadar, the concept of predestination in Islam. As Muslims, we already believe in it, but what happened with my admission strengthened that belief. I had always wanted to study law, but when it came time to register for UTME, I was advised to choose another course. The cut-off mark for law the previous year had been very high, and many people lost the opportunity over just a few points. Out of fear of missing admission entirely, I chose Sociology instead, without telling anyone at home. When my family eventually found out, it caused quite an uproar. They questioned my faith and asked if I already believed I would fail.

I was admitted to study Sociology and decided I would transfer to Law later. During my first year, I even forgot about that plan for a while. But after my final exam that year, some friends talked about transferring and we agreed to try. The process itself was another test of destiny. We submitted all the required documents and waited for acceptance calls. I never got a call and had already given up, until one of my course mates who was also applying insisted we go to the faculty officer to ask about it.
When we got there, the officer said he had tried to call the number I wrote down but it didn’t go through, so he assumed I was no longer interested. When I checked the number, it was nowhere close to my actual phone number. That small mistake could have ended everything, but that visit was what ALlah used to make the transfer happen. That is how I eventually moved from Sociology to Law. It truly was a journey.

Studying law has not been a smooth path. As a fresh transfer student in 200 level, I had to fight to keep up academically while adjusting to a completely different field. I had to learn how to understand the law and also find personal motivation for it. I wanted to get a feel of the practical side too, so I took internship positions after my second and third years. Despite the ups and downs, I would say it has been an interesting experience and one I am grateful for.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST DEFINING MOMENTS OF YOUR FINAL-YEAR EXPERIENCE SO FAR?

I promised myself I would enjoy my final year, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. One of the biggest highlights for me was getting my project topic approved. Writing it has been exciting because it’s a subject I’m genuinely interested in and hope to explore more in the future, In Shaa Allah. Another memorable moment was a small hangout I had with my friends after our first semester exams. We’ve had similar outings before, but this one stood out. Most of our conversations were about the reality of graduating soon. We reflected on how we’ve spent our years in school and talked about our plans moving forward. It was a really meaningful time.

Now that the end is close, I find myself caught between two feelings. Part of me is eager to leave UI, but another part is hesitant about stepping fully into the world outside.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE ACADEMICS WITH  EXTRACURRICULAR COMMITMENTS?

Hmm! Honestly, balancing academics with extracurriculars has been something that challenges most students, including me. If one gets it right, then it improves one significantly, and if one doesn’t get it right, it affects one significantly. For me, it has mostly been about knowing my limits and planning around them. I try not to take on more than I can handle at once. When I commit to something outside the classroom, whether it’s a group, an event, or a responsibility, I make sure it fits into my schedule without significantly affecting  my primary assignment on campus. Contrary to the usual, I don’t really plan by week but I ensure I take cognizance of every activity I am engaged in and ensure to reflect on how I spend my day so as to take note of the deficiencies and how to spend the next day better.

I also set aside time for reading, assignments, and classes, then place other activities around that. If exams or deadlines are coming up, I reduce how active I am in extracurriculars for that period. Another thing that helps is being honest with myself and the people I work with. If I know I won’t be available or I’ll be slow to deliver, I say so early. It saves everyone stress. In the end, I see extracurriculars as something that should add to my experience, not take away from my academics. So I stay involved, but I always remember why I’m in school in the first place and by ALlah’s grace, I have been able to keep the momentum.

AS AN EXECUTIVE OF MSSN, WHAT VALUES OR LESSONS HAVE YOU GAINED FROM LEADING IN A STUDENT ORGANIZATION?

Serving as an executive in MSSN has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at the University of Ibadan. When I was first appointed, I was worried about how I would manage the responsibilities alongside my other commitments, but Alhamdulillah, I have been able to handle it. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is selflessness. I don’t think I fully understood what it meant until I took on this role. You give your time, money, presence, and energy, and if you’re not careful, it can affect your academics or other areas of your life. And you do all of this without expecting any reward or recognition. What keeps me going is the thought that I am striving in the cause of Allah, which is part of why we were created in the first place. There is also a special joy in guiding and supporting younger Muslim students, interacting with them, and mentoring them.

Another important lesson is teamwork. I worked with a six-person team in the first tenure and an eight-person team in the second, both groups were wonderful to work with. Being part of those teams taught me how to manage my emotions and work with different personalities while staying focused on a shared goal.These lessons are priceless, and I know I will carry them with me into every stage of my life.

HOW HAS YOUR  ROLE IN MSSN SHAPED YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Serving as Assistant Director of Studies in MSSN for two tenures had a big impact on my personal growth. The role came with many responsibilities, and each one taught me something about myself. We organized tutorials for students preparing for O’level exams, UTME, and POST-UTME. I was involved in planning classes, arranging tutors, teaching, handling finances, selling past questions, and coordinating weekly tests and mock exams. I also had to mentor students both academically and spiritually. All of this made me more organized and disciplined. I learned how to manage time, handle money responsibly, and keep track of several activities at once. Working with tutors and students helped me become more patient and understanding. Mentoring others also improved my communication and listening skills.

Another thing I gained from the role was proficiency in Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I had to use them often for planning, record-keeping, reports, and presentations, and over time I became very comfortable with them. Most importantly, the experience strengthened my sense of responsibility. Knowing that students were counting on us made me more intentional with my actions. It helped me grow not just as a leader, but as a person.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE LAW PRESS, AND WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST IMPACTFUL EXPERIENCE SO FAR?

I joined the Law Press mainly because I wanted to improve my writing skills. Along the way, I came to understand that journalism is not just about writing, it is about informing people, amplifying voices, and speaking for students who may not be heard. One of my most memorable experiences was when I wrote the qualification exam for the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ). I was very anxious because part of the exam required us to write an article on a topic that would only be revealed on the spot. At the time, I wasn’t very confident in my writing. Alhamdulillah, I still did well, not the highest scorer, but among the top performers. The topic was related to fundamental rights, and in my excitement as a newly transferred law student, I quoted and unquoted the law in a way that got me indirectly called out in the WhatsApp group. Looking back, it was funny, but it also showed how eager I was to apply what I was learning.

Other impactful moments came when I served as the head of the vox pop desk. I reached out to students from different faculties to get their opinions on various issues. Later, as the features desk head, I wrote on stories that directly affected students, like the cost of transportation, tuition hikes, and delays in the start of lectures after resumption. You can find my articles on the Law Press Organization website. These experiences helped shape my journey in campus journalism and made the work meaningful.

YOU WEAR MANY HATS; LAW STUDENT, MSSN EXECUTIVE, PRESS MEMBER, AND A MEMBER of JCIN UI, HOW DO THESE ROLES COMPLEMENT OR SOMETIMES CONFLICT WITH ONE ANOTHER?

Juggling my roles as a law student, MSSN executive, press member, and a member of JCIN UI, where I also served as Director of Training and Individual Opportunities, has been both rewarding and challenging. These roles complement one another in many ways. MSSN strengthened my sense of responsibility and service. The Law Press helped me improve my writing and communication. JCIN UI exposed me to leadership, training, and personal development. All of these experiences feed into my growth as a law student by improving how I think, speak, organize, and relate with people. But there are moments when they clash. Sometimes meetings overlap, deadlines collide, or academic work demands full attention. In those moments, I have to prioritize and be honest with myself about what needs to come first. There are days I have to step back from one role to meet up with another.

What keeps everything in balance is planning, knowing my limits, and reminding myself why I took on each responsibility in the first place. Even when it gets stressful, I can say that each role has added value to my life in its own way.

DESPITE YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN MANY EXTRACURRICULARS, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A VERY HIGH CGPA?

All success is by Allah’s will, so I first attribute my achievements to Him. Beyond that, I don’t have any secret technique. I focus on keeping my priorities in order and always place my academics at the top. I make it a point to attend at least 80 percent of my classes, if not all, because I am an auditory learner and understand better by listening. Reading is more of a complementary tool for me.

I also take part in group discussions with my course mates and friends in groups like “Inside Life,” “Midnight Gang,” and “Beyond The Law.” These discussions help me understand topics more deeply and fill in any gaps in my knowledge. The key for me has been knowing my strengths and weaknesses, leveraging my strengths, and trusting that Allah will bless my efforts.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNGER STUDENTS WHO ASPIRE TO BE LEADERS AND ACTIVE CONTRIBUTORS IN MULTIPLE SPHERES?

The first thing I would tell younger students is to know why they want to take on any role. Don’t join an organization or seek a position just to add it to your profile. Have a purpose. When your intention is clear, it becomes easier to stay committed, even when things get demanding. Start small. You don’t have to take on everything at once. Many of the roles I now handle came to me gradually. Each one prepared me for the next. Give yourself room to grow into responsibilities instead of rushing into them. Time management is important, but so is honesty with yourself. You won’t always be able to do everything at the same time. There were moments I had to pause one responsibility to meet up with another. That doesn’t make you weak, it makes you realistic.

Also, don’t underestimate the value of people. Teamwork, mentorship, and friendships helped me more than I can explain. In every space I’ve served, MSSN, Law Press, JCIN UI, and academics, I met people who supported me, corrected me, and pushed me to do better. Finally, remember that leadership is service. You will give your time, energy, and sometimes money, without expecting anything in return. But the fulfillment comes from the impact you make and the person you become in the process. And most importantly, put ALlah first in everything you do and don’t engage in activities that are against your values and religion no matter how enticing they might be. Know that it’s not always easy, but it is possible, and it is worth it, with ALlah’s permission.

LOOKING AHEAD, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS?

That’s a big question. We make plans, but Allah is the best of planners. We talk about the next five or ten years even though we don’t know if we’ll wake up tomorrow. Still, that doesn’t mean we should live without direction. I pray Allah preserves my life till then and beyond. My plans are not fixed, but I have hopes for that stage of my life. In five to ten years, I see myself married to a kindhearted, God-fearing man and blessed with beautiful children, In Shaa Allah. I also hope to be stronger in my worship and deeper in my knowledge and practice of Islam. Professionally, I want to build on the topic of my final year project, which is Islamic Banking and Finance. I hope to pursue a postgraduate degree in that field and use the knowledge to promote the adoption and standardization of Islamic finance in Nigeria, In Shaa Allah. So, I picture myself as a legal professional with strong expertise in both Law and Islamic Banking and Finance, using both to contribute to the growth of the sector in Nigeria, bi idhnillah. These are my plans, and I pray Allah allows me to live to see them and makes me a source of benefit to Islam.