Mariam Momodu-Lawyer and Founder GetIn Education Consulting

I have always cared about using everything God has deposited inside of me as I am a firm believer that  humans are created with such immense capacity. It is always fun for me to see how far I can push myself.  In line with this belief, I have become a Lawyer, an Academic and an Education Advocate amongst many other things.

My mother was my inspiration to study law as she is a lawyer. Studying law has been an interesting experience, as I am still studying! I am currently a PhD Candidate in Law at the University of Toronto. I think the mistake people make is feeling like a lawyer needs to know all the law. This is not true. While a lawyer needs to be comfortable with the law, more importantly, a lawyer needs to know where to find the law. Law hones research and analytical skills which can be deployed in several other capacities.

I became interested in international trade in 2013 and during my Masters program at the University of Cambridge, I studied World Trade Organisation Law. Trade law is such a fascinating area and it affects almost every aspect of life today. It is one of those areas of law that allows for various modes of expression. If I want to debate the theoretical underpinning of trade, there is so much to discuss. If I am interested in exploring the standards around specific products and services, trade law allows me to do that. It is a living area of law and is very dynamic. I can also advise various actors, ranging from governments, businesses and workers unions. I can also teach students about trade.

The end goal is to be an authority in trade law, not just from a theoretical perspective, but to develop the competence to help small and large businesses navigate our increasingly interconnected world. I am also interested in helping young people develop interest in trade law.

My dream job would be heavily connected with international trade and helping large and small businesses as well as individuals benefit from trade. I am also interested in training other people to perform this function. Business is very important because it puts food on tables, particularly in countries where there are little or no safety nets. Helping businesses navigate trade hurdles and guiding them as they grow will be very rewarding.

As a response to the quality of education in Nigeria, I founded Getin Education Consulting (“GetIn”) to help students achieve their academic and professional potential, irrespective of their background. I strongly believe that access to education is an effective way of changing lives and altering negative outcomes. I am a living example of this. GetIn is involved in a variety of activities including teaching graduate school applicants how to submit competitive applications, sharing knowledge about scholarships and funding, teaching soft skills that are critical for further academic studies or professional growth. We are gradually moving into the area of working with organisations and universities to develop long-term projects that can improve access to education in African countries. Access to quality education has really changed my life and with GetIn we hope to change the lives of others by inspiring them to dream and giving them tools they need to succeed.

It is hard to pick one achievement when asked about my greatest achievement. I have achievements in my personal life that I am proud of. I also have career, academic achievements etc. I would say two things that stand out on my academic journey are first, graduating with a Cumulative grade point average of 6.7/7.0 from the university (my goal was to have a perfect 7.0!) and winning about 13 prizes. The second is winning the prestigious Vanier Doctoral Scholarship for students in Canada.

As far as superpowers go, my superpower is determination. I am really determined. I may not be the best at something, but if I am determined to learn it or become excellent, it is rare for me not to achieve my goal. This “superpower” has helped me overcome many obstacles.

My advice for lawyers who also want to follow their passion is, first, law practice can be your passion. Every time I use my legal skills to solve a problem, I am contributing positively to the world. If you have other passions, you can explore them, but no matter what you do (except you are self-employed), ensure your passion is not making you inefficient at your day-job. I think it is unfair to employers when people deliver less than they should at work because they are distracted by a side hustle.

I am a mix of different things.  For instance, I am an extrovert but I really like staying indoors! I am relatively witty but sometimes my jokes are a bit boring! However, one word that perhaps describes me to a certain extent is “curious.” Curiosity leads to answers, solutions and opportunities not just for me, but for others. This is how I would like to be described.