UNN Law Graduate Ivy-Mary Eweputanna Achieves Double First-Class Honors
A recent graduate from the Nigerian Law School, Ivy-Mary Adanna Eweputanna, has garnered nationwide acclaim for securing a first-class degree, adding to her earlier achievement of a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.62 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). In an insightful interview, the 23-year-old from Imo State shared her academic journey, study strategies, and future ambitions.
Choosing Law Over Medicine: A Personal Decision
Ivy-Mary, who grew up in Rivers State, explained her choice to pursue law despite coming from a family with a medical background. She stated, "Coming from a medically inclined family, I knew I did not want to be a doctor. My reluctance stemmed from a lack of passion for medicine and a desire to carve out a different identity. Law was like a spark that illuminated everything once it appeared." Her aunt, who graduated from law school with a first class in 2015, strongly influenced her decision.
While her father supported her career choice unconditionally, her mother initially hoped she would follow in her footsteps as a doctor. Ivy-Mary recalled, "My mother signed the form permitting me to enter the arts stream with one condition—that I graduate from law school with a first class." She successfully gained admission to UNN after writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) once, scoring 277.
Academic Excellence at UNN: Challenges and Triumphs
Reflecting on her time at UNN, Ivy-Mary described it as both challenging and rewarding. She admitted that her first-year GPA of 4.33 fell short of her first-class goal, prompting her to reassess her approach. "I became more intentional about my studies, engaged actively in lectures, and refined my discipline," she said. Her efforts paid off when she achieved a perfect 5.0 GPA in her second-year second semester, a rare feat at UNN, and consistently maintained a first-class CGPA thereafter.
Navigating the Nigerian Law School Experience
After graduating from UNN in March 2024, Ivy-Mary gained admission to the Nigerian Law School by April 2025, where she was posted to the competitive Lagos Campus. During the interim, she interned at tier-one law firms and participated in national competitions, which she credited for sharpening her skills and preparing her for law school's rigors.
To excel at law school, she emphasized early preparation: "I familiarized myself with the syllabus, asked countless questions, read widely, and studied past students' experiences. Once I resumed, I started reading in depth immediately and practiced multiple-choice questions early." As a sub-group leader, she engaged in pre-class tasks and surrounded herself with like-minded peers, participating in reading groups focused on various topics.
Future Goals and International Aspirations
As a double first-class law graduate, Ivy-Mary views her achievements as a foundation for a career marked by excellence and impact. She is currently working at a tier-one law firm, committed to honing her skills. When asked about international opportunities, she expressed openness, stating, "Yes, I am open to international opportunities because the legal profession is increasingly global. Exposure to different legal systems can broaden perspective and enhance professional competence. However, my priority remains contributing meaningfully wherever I practice, including Nigeria."
Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring law students, highlighting the importance of determination, strategic study habits, and family support in achieving academic success.
