BARRISTERS SHOOT in and out of the Law Library, the frenetic energy of the new legal term giving the adjoining lobby the feel of an international airport.
Amid the sea of robed professionals, one face sticks out – that of Femi Daniyan BL. He is one of the first Nigerian-born barristers in Ireland, and on this busy, purposeful morning he is back to work for the first day of the current legal term, just like the rest of his colleagues.
“I think I’ve been welcomed,” comments the Nigerian. “People have said to me, ‘It’s great to have you here.’ Others have said that it’s high time we had more. I have been told by some that I may be the first [Nigerian barrister here] but I believe there’s another.”
Daniyan, who graduated from King’s Inns last year, is originally from Kaduna State in northern Nigeria, but has deep roots in “the midlands”, as he puts it, as his parents are from Kogi state.
He studied international relations in his homeland, finishing in 1998, and thereafter ventured to Ireland to complete a Master’s degree in the same area at DCU. But while diplomacy has an obvious appeal, it was the legal world that Daniyan was instead drawn to. “Being a lawyer is something I always wanted to do,” he reveals.
However, as someone who did not have a legal degree, the process was additionally challenging for the Nigerian, who also had to take an Irish oral and written exam (legislation in 2008 dropped this requirement). He took a two-year diploma at King’s Inns followed by a one-year degree course.
“It is a very tough course, and a lot of people can’t do it,” he explains. “It is expensive and very academically taxing. I suppose I was very determined.”
Through a loan, working outside his studies, and with help from his Irish wife Sharon, Daniyan fulfilled his promise. But times did get difficult, especially when his father sadly passed away as his son neared completion of his studies.
“My mum visited last year, and it is always a pleasure to see her. She was here when I was called to the bar, and was absolutely delighted. She would say that her father, my grandfather, wanted to be a lawyer but never made it, and that his wish was accomplished through me. She’s extremely proud, and my dad would have been too.”
Daniyan is presently involved in general practice, having worked on some personal injury and immigration cases thus far. He is open-minded as to his future specialities, and still holds an idealist’s view: he wants to legally represent those who most need his help.
Beyond the glamour of courtroom appearances, being a barrister requires a lot of paperwork and discipline. “It is very demanding work,” he says, explaining that you have to be conscientious if you want to succeed. “If you do your pleadings and submissions properly, you are much more likely to do well in your advocacy. Judges don’t look lightly on work that isn’t done properly.”
As barristers cannot take out advertisements, word-of-mouth and reputation is everything to them, and hard work is the only means of success.
With all the pressure, Daniyan is thankful to have his wife and two kids to return to in the evenings. Being a father and working in such a high-powered job can have its demands, but he says it’s been a positive development.
“It’s great to have kids, I have to say,” says Daniyan, who is father to two young children, Samuel (two years, seven months) and Grace (nine months). “The stress levels can be taken off, it’s great to have a family to help make things fun.”
In Ireland for eight years now, the Nigerian misses his native land’s warm weather, and his family there, but feels that Ireland has been welcoming to him. While he has had one or two negative experiences – including shouts of ‘Go back to your country’ – overall he has personally noticed a decrease in racist encounters.
“Irish people have been very good. It’s very difficult to cope with a very sudden influx of people from different cultures, but in a short time, the Irish have embraced it.”
The Nigerian also hopes his story is an example to others from a similar ethnic background. “For someone who’s hardworking,” he says, “the sky’s the limit.”
deputyeditor@metroeireann.com
