Renowned legal practitioner and scholar, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), has emerged Nigerian Muslim Legal Personality of the Year for 2024/2025.
Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria and convener of the Global and Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year Awards, Alhaji Rasheed Abubakar, made the announcement in a statement on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Abubakar said the award, organised by Muslim News Nigeria, the country’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper, honours Prof Olaolu Ali’s huge, long-standing contributions to the legal and justice sector, both as a practitioner and intellectual.
Ali is the Principal Partner and Founder of Yusuf Ali & Co. (Ghalib Chambers), a household law firm and major employer of young professionals in Nigeria, with offices in Ilorin, Lagos, and Abuja.
A senior advocate with four decades of experience in the legal profession, Ali was appointed Professor of Law Practice by the Federal University of Oye (FUOYE) Ekiti, in recognition of his extensive industry experience, scholarly contributions, and standing in law practice.
Prof. Olaolu Ali is a Life Member of the Body of Benchers and has played pivotal roles in advancing jurisprudence and legal reforms in Nigeria. His notable appointments include Sole Judge of the Kwara State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in 1996 and Member of the Kwara State Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal in 1997.
He also chaired the Kwara State Law Reform Committee and has held key leadership roles within the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
As a Patron and Legal Adviser to numerous professional and socio-cultural organizations nationwide, Prof. Olaolu Ali also serves as a Member of the Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most decorated lawyers, Prof Ali has represented state governments, high-net-worth individuals, and corporate entities in landmark cases across various superior courts, from the High Court to the Supreme Court.
The legal scholar has contributed over 17 chapters to various legal books and authored more than 40 articles in reputable journals covering litigation, commercial law, jurisprudence, practice and procedure, and constitutional law.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions and impact, Prof. Olaolu Ali has received over 100 awards honoring his professionalism, expertise, and humanitarian service.
Notable among these are the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Governing Board of Editors of the American Biographical Institute; the Award of Excellence as a Doyen of Legal Luminaries in Nigeria by Nigerian Vogue; the Distinguished Personality Award from the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan; and the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award as the 2010 Africa Legal Icon by the All Africa Students’ Union, among others.
Alhaji Abubakar stated that Muslim News Nigeria is proud of the remarkable achievements and impactful contributions of Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, recognising him as a worthy ambassador of Islam within the legal profession.
“As a token of appreciation for his dedicated service, scholarship, and expertise, Muslim News Nigeria proudly announces Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, as the Nigerian Muslim Legal Personality of the Year 2024/2025. We hope this recognition inspires him to continue making meaningful contributions that uplift Islam and the Muslim community.”
Beyond his towering influence in the legal profession, Yusuf Olaolu Ali is deeply committed to philanthropy and giving back to society. In 2009, he established the Yusuf Olaolu Ali Foundation, which focuses on advancing education, healthcare, and community development. The Foundation has awarded numerous scholarships, provided financial support for medical treatments, and championed various community initiatives.
Notably, the Foundation donated an ICT Center equipped with 40 computer units to the College of Law at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and established an e-learning Center with 40 computer units at Summit University, Offa, Kwara State. At Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, it constructed a 100-bed student hostel from the ground up to improve accommodation access.
The Foundation also contributed an e-resource Center to Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, an e-library at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and an 80-bed hostel for indigent students at the College of Law, Ifetedo Campus, Osun State University, significantly enhancing educational facilities across multiple institutions.
In 2012, the Yusuf Olaolu Ali Foundation built and donated a ten-bed Advanced Trauma Centre to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin. The centre is equipped with a central workstation, multiple parameter monitors, mobile X-ray, ventilators, defibrillator, 3D ultrasound, infusion pumps, and other vital medical equipment. To support affordable healthcare for kidney patients, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, established the Falkal Renal Center in Ilorin. Since 2018, the foundation has provided over 500 free and subsidized dialysis treatments at the Renal Dialysis Center.
Prof. Olaolu Ali is also a leading advocate for the advancement of Islam and the Muslim community. To support their activities, he donated an SUV to the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and a brand-new car to the University of Ibadan’s Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Additionally, he donated a bus to the Madrasah (Islamic and Arabic Learning Centre) of the Chief Imam of Ilorin.
Prof. Olaolu Ali holds the chieftaincy title of the first Kuliya Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, an honour bestowed upon him by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, the Emir of Ilorin, in recognition of his legal scholarship and significant contributions to the socio-cultural development of the Ilorin Emirate.
Now in its fifth edition, #MNAwards celebrates Muslim achievers across various strata of the society, including politics and good governance, health, education, law, advocacy, philanthropy, among others.
The formal presentation of the award will take place at a yet‑to‑be‑announced date during the newspaper’s 7th anniversary lecture.
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