The Attorney-General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals, emphasizing that true success in the legal field extends beyond academic brilliance to include guided leadership and integrity.
Speaking at a recent seminar for young lawyers in Abuja, Dr. Ajulo—who also chairs the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mentorship Committee—stressed the importance of cultivating leadership through mentorship. “Law school makes them lawyers; our extant commission is to make them leaders,” he said. “Mentorship is the bridge between knowledge and wisdom, between ambition and actualisation. In our profession, it is not a luxury—it is a necessity. If you faithfully and sincerely follow seven successful lawyers, you will become the eighth.”
Dr. Ajulo urged young lawyers to embrace diligence, truthfulness, and hard work, noting that these values, coupled with meaningful mentorship, are vital to a rewarding legal career.
Reflecting on Dr. Ajulo’s journey, legal practitioner Solomon Alo said his rise in the profession is itself a testament to the power of mentorship. From his early days as a law student at the University of Jos—initially drawn to entertainment law through his social network—to becoming one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds, mentorship has played a central role in shaping his path.
Alo noted that Ajulo’s admiration for Chief FRA Williams, SAN—whom he studied religiously long before meeting him in court—marked a pivotal point in his legal evolution. His mentorship lineage includes some of Nigeria’s most prominent legal figures: Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Chief James Ajibola Ige, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, and many others who contributed significantly to his growth.
Further highlighting Ajulo’s dedication to mentorship, Lagos-based lawyer Daniel Awe pointed to the transformative initiatives he has introduced as chairman of the NBA Mentorship Committee. Among them is an upcoming seminar that will convene top legal minds and an international mentorship exchange program in collaboration with the Canadian government.
Ajulo’s approach to mentorship goes beyond rhetoric. At his firm, Kayode Ajulo & Castle of Law, mentorship is ingrained in the firm’s culture. Notably, the firm pioneered Nigeria’s first online law practice in 2016, years before remote legal services became commonplace. The Castle of Law now supports hundreds of in-house lawyers and thousands more remotely. Even those who move on are encouraged to stay connected, retain the firm’s branding, and receive support to establish their own chambers.
Under the leadership of Professor Bukola Akinola, a former Dean of Law at Redeemer’s University, the firm now boasts multiple offices across Nigeria and abroad—an achievement unmatched by any other Nigerian law firm. Dr. Ajulo is also exploring a franchising model to empower legal entrepreneurs and expand access to quality legal mentorship.
His boldness in redefining legal mentorship was further evidenced in 2024 when, shortly after his appointment as Attorney General, he named 273 Honorary Legal Advisers and Assistants—primarily former mentees and mentors—who serve pro bono for Ondo State. This unconventional move has already begun to yield remarkable results in the ministry’s legal output and capacity.
For Dr. Kayode Ajulo, mentorship is more than an obligation; it is a transformative tool for building the future of the legal profession—one young lawyer at a time.
