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It’s true that laws guide government action, but it takes experienced legal minds to show exactly how those laws work in real situations. Barr. Bola Odugbesan is one of those professionals who bring administrative law out of the pages of legislation and into practical governance. His work sits where regulation, accountability, and public decision-making unite. This is the place where public service leaders must operate from.
In This Post
His Academic Foundation
Every strong legal career begins with disciplined training, and Barr. Bola Odugbesan built his on a formal legal education and professional qualification at the Bar. He holds a Barrister-at-Law degree from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University. He also holds membership in the Nigerian Bar Association. That training prepared him for legal practice and shaped how he thinks.
Administrative law, in particular, depends on this kind of mindset, as it requires precision, respect for procedure, and the ability to interpret authority correctly. His academic foundation became the toolkit that supports his later regulatory and advisory work.
Professional Journey & Achievements
Barr. Bola Odugbesan began his Federal Civil Service career as a Legal Officer II in the Ministry of Justice. From there, he steadily rose through the ranks until he was appointed director in 2018.
His service record spans several key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Ministry of Defence, where he retired as Director, Legal Services, in 2025.
Before his appointment in the Ministry of Defence, he served as Director of Legal Services at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a role deeply connected to administrative structure and public sector governance.
Along the way, he also contributed to high-level committees and reform efforts, including the National Consultative Forum on the Administration of Justice, the Competition and Anti-Trust Reform Steering Committee, and the Committee on Revision of Labour Laws.
Additionally, his professional development also includes specialised training in Advanced Strategic Management, Oral Advocacy and Electronic Evidence, and Fraud Detection and Prevention.
The Person Behind the Professional
Outside work, Barr. Bola Odugbesan keeps life simple and grounded. He enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching football, the kind of everyday interests that help him unwind and stay balanced after years in demanding public service roles.
His Role at Miva Open University
As Executive in Residence for MPA 8204: Administrative Law, Barr. Bola Odugbesan helps students connect knowledge with daily administrative reality. The focus is not only on what the law says but also on how it is used inside ministries, agencies, and regulatory bodies.
Students benefit from real civil service legal processes, practical interpretation of administrative powers, firsthand insight into government decision structures, and clear explanations of due process and regulatory limits.
Lessons are not presented as abstract teachings alone; they are connected to real ministries, files, approvals, and real legal consequences.
Why It Matters for Students
For students of public administration, especially MPA students, understanding administrative law is important because it shows how government powers are used, where their limits lie, and what makes an official decision valid. Policies may set direction, but procedure determines whether an action stands or falls. When administrators understand due process, delegated authority, and review mechanisms, they make stronger decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Learning from Barr. Bola Odugbesan gives students a clearer lens to see how agencies are guided by law, understand how decisions can be questioned, and learn how to act with both authority and restraint.
That combination gives future administrators a practical edge and greater confidence in complex environments.
In Conclusion
Good governance doesn’t run on good intentions alone; it runs on doing things properly and within the law. Barr. Bola Odugbesan helps students see how administrative law works in real situations and why getting the process right makes public service more credible and dependable.
If you’re ready to transform your career, lead with impact, and master the practical side of governance and administrative strategy, apply now for Miva’s MPA programme and learn from experienced executives in residence like Barr. Bola Odugbesan.