I come from a family with five Ph.D.s and eight master's degrees. The floor was high, so I went looking for the ceiling.
Every chapter since has started the same way. I pick a goal that looks unreasonable, then I chase it. UseABI is the biggest one yet.
Seven years, one pattern.
Best Graduating Law Student
First Class, Igbinedion University.
Nigerian Law School
First Class. Called to the Nigerian bar.
Joint Top Performing Associate
Across all offices at Babalakin & Co., a leading Nigerian law firm, in my first year.
Chose Stanford
Finished my first master's, in IP & Technology Law, with distinction, while working full-time.
Joined Stanford's LL.M. class as one of six African students.
“Five years from now, I want to hear that you've built a billion-dollar company.”Tola Oshobi, SAN, one of my partners, on my last day at Babalakin & Co., August 5, 2022
Stanford to BigLaw
Graduated with honors in key courses. Passed the California bar.
Joined Greenberg Traurig in New York. Started the Ijaodola Educational Foundation.
“Who beat you in Nigeria, when you were second nationally?” I told him about my friend who finished first. We hired him.The managing partner and global head of corporate, a few months after I joined
New York bar
Admitted in New York. Selected for the New York corporate group's Corporate Transparency Act task force.
Pioneer Advisor, Accelerate Africa.
“You are the CTA king.”A colleague, after a task force call
Co-founded UseABI
Left Greenberg Traurig to build experienced associates for BigLaw.
“It has been 51 hours and 30 minutes since you left, and your absence is already being felt.”Senior Associate
“No matter what was asked of you, no matter how big or small, you always delivered with the same level of quality and excellence.”
“I am EXTREMELY impressed by what you’ve been doing on the issues list/purchase agreement markup front.”
“You are performing at an elite level.”
“I am constantly impressed by your work and the speed at which you have learned and grown in such a short time. I am positive that you will be running this place in no time.”
“If I could invest in people like stocks, I’d put all of my money on you.”
- MentoringAbout 3,000 students and young professionals since 2016
- Ijaodola Educational FoundationTuition scholarships for 10+ Nigerian students since 2023
- Accelerate AfricaPioneer Advisor since 2024
- Stanford African Entrepreneurship NetworkExecutive Member
Vertical AI for M&A: The Missing Layer
Why general AI models give lawyers reasoning but not M&A judgment, and why the layer in between is what's missing.
- Building UseABI, full-time.
- Reading about how to manage people and run a business as it grows.