Ubani completes PhD Law programme at Babcock University

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dr. Monday Ubani has formally achieved a lifelong academic ambition, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from Babcock University. He also emerged as the institution’s best graduating PhD student in Law, marking a significant personal and professional milestone.

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I wanted to start my PhD immediately after my master’s degree, but some friends advised me to wait and study abroad. Looking back now, I believe I would have completed the programme much earlier if I had followed my original plan.

Ubani's journey to this achievement was long and arduous, delayed for decades by significant life events. He initially intended to pursue his doctorate immediately after his master's degree but was advised to wait for an opportunity to study abroad, a decision he now believes prolonged his academic path. Furthermore, his marriage and family responsibilities took precedence, leading him to prioritize his children's university and master's education over his own academic aspirations.

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When my children had completed their master’s degrees, I felt it was time for me to return to school and accomplish a dream I had always cherished.

He explained that he only returned to his doctoral studies after all his children had completed their university education and obtained master's degrees. "When my children had completed their master’s degrees, I felt it was time for me to return to school and accomplish a dream I had always cherished," Ubani stated. The transition back to academia after years away proved demanding, requiring him to balance a busy legal practice, family commitments, church responsibilities, and the rigorous demands of doctoral research.

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Statistics was a major challenge for me at the beginning. I wondered why it was necessary, but I later understood its relevance to research and my thesis. I had to devote serious attention to it.

Ubani identified statistics and research methodology as particularly challenging aspects of the program. "Statistics was a major challenge for me at the beginning. I wondered why it was necessary, but I later understood its relevance to research and my thesis. I had to devote serious attention to it," he said. Looking ahead, the senior advocate plans to combine a career in academia with his legal practice, aspiring to become a professor of law. He has already published seven scholarly articles in reputable journals and intends to increase his research output.

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Knowledge is more enduring than material wealth, saying doctoral education equips scholars with the ability to interrogate ideas, solve complex problems and contribute to societal develop