Deborah Oyedijo, a first-class Law graduate of the University of Ibadan, has secured an IP and Content Licensing internship at Mavin Records, the Nigerian music company founded by Michael Collins Ajereh, known as Don Jazzy. Oyedijo deliberately built experience in music licensing and publishing before landing the role, she told Legit.ng in an exclusive interview.
How a UI First-Class Graduate Found Her Path in Music
Oyedijo discovered towards the end of her university education the kind of lawyer she wanted to become and the industry in which she wanted to build her career. "I knew exactly the kind of lawyer I wanted to be and the industry I wanted to work in. The music industry, specifically in the area of IP and rights," she said.
After gaining clarity about her desired career path, Oyedijo began taking practical steps to understand the music business and gain industry experience. She participated in a music business bootcamp organised by CTF and later received a scholarship to the Creative Business Academy for Africa, formerly known as the Music Business Academy for Africa. According to Oyedijo, the nine-month programme has trained more than 1,500 creative professionals across Africa and provided her with deeper exposure to the business side of the creative industry.
She also took internships in music licensing and publishing administration to gain practical experience before eventually joining Mavin. For her, getting an opportunity at Mavin was particularly significant. "Mavin has always represented the peak of excellence in African music to me, so getting here feels like a full circle moment," she said.
Why She Chose IP and Content Licensing
Oyedijo said her love for music played an important role in her decision to specialise in intellectual property and content licensing. She explained that she was fascinated by the way legal knowledge could be used not only to protect creative works but also to regulate and generate value from them. "What draws me to this specific area of law is that I love music, and I love how law can protect, regulate, and even help monetise creative work," she said.
According to her, IP and content licensing provide an opportunity to combine her legal training with an industry she genuinely enjoys. "It does not feel like work in the way people dread work," she added.
Oyedijo also challenged the perception that studying Law necessarily means pursuing a career inside a courtroom. She said her legal education has equipped her with skills that have proved useful in the entertainment industry, particularly critical thinking and attention to detail. "One thing I think a lot of people do not realise is that law is everywhere. It transcends the courtroom and sits at the centre of every industry, every transaction, every creative work," she said.
Has Deborah Met Don Jazzy?
Oyedijo revealed that she has not yet had the opportunity to meet Don Jazzy since joining Mavin Records. However, she said she has worked with some of the record label's signees, although she declined to disclose details because of the confidential nature of her work. "I have not had the chance to meet Don Jazzy yet, but I have had the opportunity to work with some of Mavin's signees, the details of which I will keep close to my chest for obvious reasons!" she said.
Despite being new to the organisation, Oyedijo described her experience at Mavin as positive. She said the environment has been warm and that employees are approachable and willing to help interns and other young professionals grow. "Everyone is approachable, willing to help, and invested in seeing you grow. It is the kind of place where you feel like you belong from day one, and that means everything when you are just starting out," she said.
Her Message to Law Students
Oyedijo urged law students not to limit their career ambitions to conventional legal practice. "There is so much more beyond the courtroom. So much. And I say this as someone who had to discover that for herself," she said. Rather than rushing into a particular career path, she encouraged students to understand their interests, experiment with different opportunities and remain open to unconventional career options. "What do you enjoy? What spaces light you up?" she asked.
She also said that uncertainty should not necessarily be viewed negatively. Oyedijo explained that even before she discovered exactly what she wanted, knowing what she did not want helped her gradually narrow down her options. "Even in the seasons when I did not know what I wanted, I always had a sense of what I did not want, and that was enough to keep narrowing it down," she said. Her advice is simple: explore, research and pursue the area of law that genuinely inspires you. "There is practically no area of life where law does not sit at the centre, so find the one that makes you come alive, research it, and go after it with everything you have," she said.
