By Ghazali Ibrahim
Ikorodu born Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq., has set his sights on making history as the youngest Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in Lagos, after being named among the 57 advocates shortlisted by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for the prestigious 2025 rank.
The LPPC unveiled its shortlist of 72 candidates, 57 advocates and 15 academics on June 18, 2025, inviting public submissions regarding the integrity and competence of the nominees.
Described in close quarters as a protégé of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 38-year-old legal luminary was part of the legal team that played a behind-the-scenes role during the highly sensitive 2023 presidential election petition tribunal, aligning him with the inner workings of the ruling political establishment.
Ajenifuja also holds a critical role as a member of the Security Agencies Relations Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As an Alumna of Lagos State Civil Service Model College, he has distinguished himself among peers earning him a spot among legal silk of Lagos origin.
Ajenifuja’s inclusion places him in the final stretch of a rigorous selection process.
His presence on the shortlist ordered by seniority suggests an exceptional professional trajectory.
Should he officially receive the SAN title, Ajenifuja will stand out as Lagos’s youngest, a rare honor in the legal landscape.
The LPPC has made it clear that the shortlist does not guarantee conferment; each candidate must navigate a comprehensive interview, peer review, and vetting stage .
Public scrutiny is part of the procedure comments on nominees’ reputations are being accepted until mid‑July.
The LPPC selection is expected to conclude by mid‑July, with the final list of successful SANs released soon after.
If conferred, Ajenifuja will join the ranks of Nigeria’s elite lawyers and possibly set a new benchmark as the youngest SAN in Lagos.
