Correction: The original version of this article contained an error. Chioma Udeagbala has traveled to Nigeria, London and Dubai. The partners of the law firm in Nigeria where Udeagbala practiced prior to coming to UCLA helped her grow as a lawyer.
Growing up in Nigeria, Chioma Udeagbala wanted to be a doctor like her father.
In her schooling, however, Udeagbala found that her strength lay in the liberal arts. Her desire to be a doctor was fueled by a deeper need to help people.
This desire led the UCLA student to the practice of law. Udeagbala will be speaking alongside Valerie Jarrett, keynote speaker and President Barack Obama’s senior adviser, at the UCLA School of Law commencement ceremony on Friday.
The first of six children in an “average Nigerian family,” Udeagbala will graduate from UCLA with a post-doctoral master’s degree, one of the most rigorous and advanced degrees in the field of law, said Elizabeth Cheadle, assistant dean for students in the School of Law.
In her childhood, Udeagbala’s mother, a secondary school principal and strict disciplinarian, kept her focused, believing her daughter would end up in the arts. At the same time, Udeagbala constantly watched her father, who helped families in financial need by offering his medical services at reduced costs.
Udeagbala has traveled outside of Nigeria to Cameroon, London and Dubai. She wanted to learn and practice law on a global level, which ultimately led her to UCLA.
In Nigeria, she completed her law degree at the University of Jos, a five-year program after which she attended the Nigerian Law School Lagos Campus for the Nigerian bar exam.
In 2007 Udeagbala began her work for Banwo & Ighodalo, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms. She remained there until she came to UCLA last year to complete the one-year master’s program.
Despite financial concerns, Udeagbala said her parents encouraged her to branch out and do what made her happy, supporting her decision to study law at UCLA.
She said she wants to apply her skills in her home country, in addition to the international sphere. One issue Udeagbala said she would like to address is to encourage Nigerian leaders to provide more selfless service.
She also said she would like to work to achieve a more functional government system and improve the lives of Nigerian citizens.
“Law is the foundation, it gives you … the leverage to go out there and make an impact, or do whatever you want to do,” Udeagbala said.
Udeagbala named Lara Stemple, the director of graduate studies in the School of Law, as someone who has inspired her.
Stemple teaches the law seminar “Human Rights and Sexual Politics.” She said that while Udeagbala was in her class, she provided unique insight by sharing her experiences both as a woman and a lawyer living in Nigeria.
“She deepened our understanding of how human rights issues are seen throughout the world,” Stemple said.
Stemple helped Udeagbala to feel at home at UCLA, which makes the graduation bittersweet, Udeagbala said ““ she doesn’t want the experience to end.
Both Udeagbala and Jarrett will address the sea of nearly 425 graduating students, a prospect that makes Udeagbala nervous, as she has never spoken in front of a large public crowd.
Cheadle said Jarrett was selected to be the keynote speaker because she represents the vast possibilities for those with a degree in law, showing through her experience the potential impact a lawyer can have in the public sector.
Udeagbala is looking forward to the ceremony on Friday and to hearing Jarrett share her experiences.
“One thing I want to do personally is to encourage upcoming young people and help them focus on their purpose and their essence in life ““ to help them find and discover themselves,” Udeagbala said.