Nigerian-born law professor, Dr. Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu, has been appointed dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, for a five-year term beginning October 1, 2026.
Odumosu-Ayanu, who currently serves as the college’s associate dean of research and graduate studies, joined the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law in 2008.
The university announced her appointment on Tuesday, September 1, in a statement issued by Patti McDougall, interim provost and vice-president, academic, and chair of the search committee for the new dean.
McDougall described Odumosu-Ayanu as an accomplished academic and collaborative leader whose appointment would strengthen the college’s research and graduate education programmes.
“Dr. Odumosu-Ayanu’s appointment as dean reflects a distinguished record of academic excellence, collaborative leadership, and dedication to advancing research and graduate education,” she said.
She added that Odumosu-Ayanu would build on the College of Law’s reputation for excellence in legal education and research while strengthening its leadership in Indigenous legal scholarship and engagement with local and global communities.
Odumosu-Ayanu will succeed Martin Phillipson, who served two five-year terms as dean before beginning administrative leave on July 1.
Odumosu-Ayanu grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where she developed an early interest in reading and writing. Although she initially considered studying communications, encouragement from her teachers and support from her parents eventually led her to pursue law.
She enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree.
She later moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Calgary, attracted by the institution’s research strengths in natural resources, energy and environmental law.
“Since I started law school, I always knew that I wanted to do a master’s and to do one abroad. But I always thought I would go to England,” she said.
Odumosu-Ayanu initially planned to return to Nigeria after completing her master’s degree and work as a lawyer. However, she continued her academic career by pursuing a PhD at the University of British Columbia.
She said she had not initially planned to pursue a doctorate. After completing her PhD, however, she began considering a career in academia and interviewed for academic positions.
She eventually moved to Saskatchewan in 2008 to join the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law, where she has since built an academic career focused on legal scholarship, research and graduate education.
Reflecting on her move to Saskatchewan, Odumosu-Ayanu recalled that a mentor at the University of British Columbia, who had grown up in Saskatoon, advised her to prepare for the Canadian winter.