Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON
Acclaimed jurist, constitutional lawyer, professor of law and statesman — a global advocate for people-centred justice, democratic governance and climate justice.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Justice Research Institute. He has devoted more than four decades to advancing the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions, and expanding access to justice across Africa.
He served as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, where he was pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s economic and governance reforms and championing inclusive development. He conceived and led Nigeria’s landmark National Social Investment Programme — the largest social protection initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa — reaching millions of vulnerable Nigerians through targeted interventions in social welfare, education, enterprise development and financial inclusion.
Earlier, as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State (1999–2007), he led one of Africa’s most celebrated justice sector reform programmes, transforming the Ministry of Justice into a citizen-centred institution. Under his leadership Lagos established the Office of the Public Defender, the Citizens’ Mediation Centre and the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights — models since adopted across Nigeria and the continent.
A distinguished academic, Professor Osinbajo is a Professor of Law whose scholarship spans constitutional and public law, jurisprudence, governance, environmental and climate justice, technology and the law, media law, and the rights of women and children. Before public office he was a Senior Partner at one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms, and he is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
An alumnus of the University of Lagos and the London School of Economics and Political Science, he remains a highly sought-after global speaker and thought leader on governance, democracy, justice sector reform, climate justice, the responsible use of technology, and the rule of law. As Founder and Chairman of JRI, he provides strategic leadership to the Institute’s mission of advancing people-centred justice across Africa.
