Nigerian-born legal scholar, Prof. Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu, has been appointed dean of the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in Canada.
Odumosu-Ayanu will assume office on October 1, 2026, for a five-year term, succeeding Martin Phillipson, who has completed two five-year terms as dean.
She currently serves as a professor and associate dean for research and graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law, where she has been a faculty member since 2008.
The appointment was announced by Patti McDougall, interim provost and vice-president, academic at the University of Saskatchewan and chair of the search committee.
“Dr. Odumosu-Ayanu’s appointment as dean reflects a distinguished record of academic excellence, collaborative leadership, and dedication to advancing research and graduate education,” McDougall said.
She added that Odumosu-Ayanu’s tenure would build on the college’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’s academic career has been shaped by education and professional experience in both Nigeria and Canada.
She obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Lagos before earning an LLM from the University of Calgary and a PhD from the University of British Columbia.
Her research has received international recognition, particularly in the field of business and human rights. She has also developed research collaborations involving scholars and institutions across different countries.
In addition to her research, Odumosu-Ayanu has built an extensive record in teaching and mentoring, including the supervision of graduate students in law and interdisciplinary programmes.
Her contributions to teaching and student support have earned her several honours, including the Provost’s College Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2012 and the USask InterD Advisor Award in 2026.
Beyond her academic responsibilities, she has been involved in professional, academic and community organisations in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
Her service record includes board positions with professional associations, academic journals and community organisations, including the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association.
Professor Doug Surtees, the current interim dean, will continue in the position until September 30, 2026, before Odumosu-Ayanu formally takes over as dean on October 1.
Her appointment marks another significant milestone in the academic career of a scholar whose legal education and professional journey have spanned Nigeria and Canada.
