Born 58 years ago in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, popularly called ‘Y.C,’ did not set out to study Law. He was admitted to study Law against his wish and application to study Veterinary Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Maikyau shared this story in his inaugural address as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“I studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in my A-level classes at the School of Basic Studies, Zaria. Never in my wildest thoughts or imaginations did I contemplate studying Law,” Maikyau said.
Based on his education foundation and qualification, he gained admission to study Veterinary Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
After registering for the course, he received news that changed the trajectory of his life.
“About three weeks into my resumption in Veterinary Medicine, I was informed by my friend, Hassan Danjuma, that he saw my name on the admissions list for the Faculty of Law,” he said.
“He literally dragged me to the old Senate Building and pointed out my name on the list. I saw it and was completely taken aback and unsuccessfully tried so hard to convince Hassan that this was, in fact, news to me.”
That news was, in fact, true. Not only was his name on the master list but also the list at the Faculty of Law.
Faced with the dilemma of having two options, he sought advice.
“I travelled to Sokoto to consult with my big brother figure, Mr. J. S. Magaji of blessed memory, who said to me, “if you can cope, Law is a more lucrative course than Veterinary Medicine,” he said.
He left Magaji with a clear course of action.
“Upon return to Zaria, I withdrew from Veterinary Medicine and re-registered as a law student with the encouragement of the then Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Daniel Saror, who also promised to defer my admission to the following year, so that if I could not cope with Law, I could return to continue with Veterinary Medicine.”
He did not need to fall back on plan B and was full of praise to God, his parents and his sister, who he said sacrificed everything for him and the men who played a role in shaping his education and future.