Flexibility, Perspective, and Partnership: why Blessing Ahmed chose a unique Global South–Global North joint LLM

The opportunity to gain both international and Nigerian legal perspectives – without stepping away for a year or two from an established career and thriving legal practice – was exactly what Blessing Ahmed had been searching for. 

After more than 15 years in practice, Blessing wanted a postgraduate programme that would fit around the realities of running her own law firm while broadening her outlook beyond national borders. In the pioneering Joint LLM programme offered by the Universities of Lagos and Dundee, she found not only something that fit her needs and added a top-notch qualification to her resume, but also demonstrated genuine collaboration between Global South and Global North law schools.

"The flexibility made all the difference," says Blessing, who is among the inaugural cohort of the innovative Joint LLM programme. "I wouldn't have been able to combine work, family, and a Master's otherwise. I got international and Nigerian perspectives within the shortest period of time. I got the benefit of both worlds."

That’s a core aim of the new Joint LLM, say Professors and programme leads Dayo Ayoade of the University of Lagos and Peter McEleavy of the University of Dundee. 

“What excites me most …. is that it is a true South–North, Nigerian–UK collaboration, a partnership based on equity and parity of esteem between related, but different educational and legal systems,” McEleavy told Africa Legal earlier this year.

For Blessing, and for those who follow in her footsteps, that partnership combines hybrid classes for a semester in Lagos from September through December, with an intensive period of study in Scotland in January through May, before students complete their dissertations. The model enables participants to continue practising while drawing on the expertise of both universities, rather than taking a sabbatical. 

"This is not my first Master's," she says, "but I would pick it as my best."

Unlike many overseas postgraduate programmes, the Joint LLM recognises the realities facing established legal professionals. "You don't have to spend the whole six months in Dundee," she explains. "The lectures were essentially over after about two months, and after that you can decide whether to stay to complete your dissertation or return home. That flexibility is quite unique for working lawyers."

Although the two law schools have collaborated for many years, particularly in relation to Dundee’s world-renowned Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), Blessing believes prospective students should appreciate the new programme's broader scope. "I'm not an oil and gas lawyer, I'm a corporate lawyer," she says. "I was interested in international arbitration and cyber law because I wanted to be able to advise my clients on compliance in this new digital regime."

While oil and gas law can be part of the Joint LLM, the programme is much deeper. 

Blessing says she’s enjoyed a highly supportive learning environment during her Joint LLM, thanks to the lecturers involved at both universities. The Programme Leads championed the Joint LLM, and remained closely engaged with students throughout their studies. Equally important, she says, was the pastoral support. "It became like a second home. I don't think I've ever experienced a support system like that before."

Blessing says she wouldn’t have been able to get through without that support. But she did face other challenges, too, such as adapting to the Scottish winter. "I don't do well with cold weather," she laughs. "But they taught me how to stay warm and how to get through it."

Beyond the classroom, Blessing enjoyed Dundee's quieter pace of life and visits to nearby Broughty Ferry. Looking back, she believes the Joint LLM programme offers an outstanding opportunity for lawyers across West Africa who are seeking international exposure without stepping away from successful careers.

"I would advise them to key into this programme," she says. "Look into the courses that tickle your fancy and get the best out of them. Explore both your home university and the international university. Reach out to your professors if you have questions. I am not an oil and gas practitioner, but I was able to get what I wanted from the programme - even more than I expected."

For more information on the Joint LLM programme, visit here.

The University of Lagos and University of Dundee invite Africa Legal readers to join an Information Session in person (Radisson Hotel, Ikeja) or online on Saturday, 11 July 2026, to learn more about the unique joint LLM programme. Book your place here.