Though Habeeb Adekola once dreamt of becoming a pilot, he now navigates the dynamic field of law. More than 6,000 miles away from his childhood home in Nigeria, Habeeb has embraced American law’s complexities, navigating its familiarities and differences with dedication and insight.
Habeeb grew up in Ibadan, Nigeria, the middle of five siblings, never expecting to become a lawyer. “I always wanted to be a pilot,” he reflects. However, the heavy emphasis on science and math required for aviation led him to reconsider his path. With guidance from his uncle, a practicing lawyer, Habeeb began exploring the legal field. His interest deepened as he watched law-themed films, sparking a passion for the study of law.
Habeeb pursued linguistics and communications in college but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit. He then transitioned to law at Obafemi Awolowo University, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree after five years. Afterward, he completed an additional year of law school, graduating with first-class honors and ranking among the top in his class.
Habeeb credits his father for inspiring him to pursue law school and motivating him to succeed. “Attending law school is one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’m truly grateful to my dad for pushing me and encouraging me. He has always been a tremendous source of support for me,” he says.
After law school, Habeeb began his legal career in Nigeria, specializing in cross-border transactions for nearly three years. His work frequently involved collaborating with American law firms, an experience he found deeply rewarding. This exposure fueled his desire to learn more about American law, ultimately leading him to move to the U.S. to pursue higher education.
This new passion drove Habeeb to pursue a master’s in commercial and corporate law at the University of Illinois-Champaign. During his studies, his professors recognized his potential, often telling him, “We can see you becoming a great lawyer in America.” This praise led to a difficult decision: whether to return to Nigeria and apply for his master’s degree or remain in the U.S. to pursue a law degree.
With his future in focus, Habeeb knew exactly what he wanted: “I wanted to work at a big law firm here in America,” he shares. However, he realized that achieving this goal would be difficult without an American law degree. As he considered law schools, he sought advice from friends, including Lex Dosunmu, a fellow Iowa Law student. Lex spoke highly of Iowa, and Habeeb had also heard from several Nigerian students who attended the law school. Their encouragement was invaluable as an international student. They described Iowa Law as welcoming with strong academic and personal support. With everything pointing toward Iowa Law, Habeeb felt confident in his decision. Now, nearing graduation, he reflects, “Everything they said is true; I am really enjoying my time here.”
Since starting law school, Habeeb has been actively engaged in the Iowa law community, serving as the Alumni Relations Chair and Historian for Iowa’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA). He emphasizes BLSA’s vital role as a support network for diverse students. Additionally, Habeeb is passionate about mental health advocacy, working with the Nigerian NGO Mental Care Group to educate the public on mental health issues often viewed through a spiritual rather than a health lens. The organization aims to validate mental health challenges and support those in need.
Habeeb’s academic journey has been equally enriching, mainly through his close collaboration with faculty, which has deepened his interest in further studies. As a research assistant for Professor John Reitz, he focuses on government contracts and international law. “The guidance and constructive feedback I receive from Professor Reitz has been extremely helpful in understanding these complex subjects,” he says.
Beyond academics, Habeeb highlights another key aspect of his experience at Iowa Law: the exceptional support available to students. He shares, “The community is incredibly welcoming to international students, even if you’re not from here. There are numerous resources, including the International Students Office and dedicated faculty and staff support.”
This supportive environment became even more evident as Habeeb navigated his early days at law school. “I didn’t initially know about resources like the career fair and On-Campus Interviews (OCI) that assist with job placements,” he recalls. “However, I was impressed by how career services consistently sent emails about job fairs and available opportunities—a level of support my peers at other schools didn’t experience.”
Habeeb also credits his professors with providing the personal support he needs to thrive in law school. “One of my most surprising discoveries is how different American law school is from my experiences in Nigeria. I initially thought it would be a walk in the park, but it’s been more challenging than I expected,” he says.” “Nigeria practices with the federal government having the overall power, while in the U.S., the states have their federation and specific laws that apply. These differences have been an adjustment.”
Despite the difficulties of navigating a new legal system, Habeeb appreciates how his professors have facilitated his transition. “One thing I really appreciate is how the professors at Iowa Law have made it easy for me to blend in and navigate the challenges I face. I truly value the support I’ve received throughout my education.” Habeeb also notes that the mental health counselors are an excellent resource for students. “Law school can be stressful, so having support like this is essential. Iowa Law has created an environment that makes it easier to adapt to this stress and offers various outlets for support.”
This proactive support proved invaluable when Habeeb attended a job fair, where he secured his summer internship at a big law firm, Alston and Bird, in San Francisco, California. “The career services team was instrumental in helping me refine my resume, practice for interviews, and prepare for the job search. They gave me the tools to translate my classroom learning into real-world experience,” he says.
Habeeb will return to Alston & Bird at their office in Dallas, Texas, to launch his commercial and corporate law career. He offers valuable advice to aspiring law students: “Give yourself grace. Even though it’s challenging, don’t overstress yourself. Eat well, sleep well, and everything will fall into place.”