“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Dedication

I dedicate this autobiography primarily to God, my creator, whose guidance has significantly shaped every chapter of my life. My experience has taught me to put greater faith in His timetable than in my plans, particularly during times of uncertainty, transition, challenges, and quiet determination. Every route I have traversed and every door I have opened or shut carries a purpose that is beyond my immediate comprehension.

It is with immense gratitude that I dedicate this work to my parents, Pa Emmanuel Bayo Ajani and Deaconness Deborah Toyosi Ajani née Fadele, whose selflessness laid the groundwork for my personality. Because of their bravery, self-control, and unwavering faith in the power of education, I learned that resilience is not loud but rather enduring. They taught me integrity, accountability, and perseverance, which still guide my life.

I want to dedicate this autobiography to my family, especially my husband Emmanuel, my children -Victor, Victoria , Deborah , my grandson Sevyn and his mother Georgie , who have been with me through it all. In particular, I would want to dedicate it to my daughter Deborah , whose unique additional needs  have transformed my perspective on qualities like resilience, patience, and love that are not conditional. Because of her, I realized that the purpose of my life does not lessen when confronted with difficulties; rather, it grows deeper.

Lastly, I would like to dedicate this work to every single person who is negotiating the challenges of migration, displacement, and uncertainty. My profession and my vocation are given a deeper and more meaningful purpose as a result of their tales, which mirror my own in ways that are both obvious and unseen.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

Phase 1: Chosen Before I Understood Choice: Foundations of Identity

My life started in the United Kingdom, but it was shaped from the outset by spontaneous decisions guided by faith. My parents were Nigerian and had travelled far in quest of education and opportunities. They brought with them a profound sense of duty and a strong belief in the importance of discipline for their children. Just the fact that I am alive is a direct outcome of my mother’s bravery and my personal determination to weather life storms and to face head-on unexpected life challenges . At a moment when making a decision necessitated fortitude, determination, and faith, my mother decided to live. As a child, I didn’t fully understand this, but as I grew older, I took responsibility for embracing this decision and its purpose.

In no way did I presume that stability would be present. During my formative years with my parents , I was always on the move. I spent my formative years in several different nations, including the United Kingdom, Zambia, and Nigeria, among others. Each move brought a set of adjustments and uncertainties to the transition. Learning new norms, comprehending changing expectations, and quickly adapting without losing one’s bearings were all necessary to successfully navigate new surroundings. Although these transitions were not always simple, they helped me develop the ability to adapt to change rather than fight against it.

This movement had a particularly negative impact on education. I did not experience education as a journey that was easy and uninterrupted. Rather than that, my education consisted of changing to new systems, adjusting to different curricula, and learning how to restore momentum following disruptions. Each time I started attending a new school, I was required to pay close attention, rapidly comprehend what was expected of me, and continuously demonstrate my worth. In my early years, these events instilled in me a sense of seriousness and discipline. In situations when there was a lack of continuity from the outside, I realized that preparation was important and that consistency had to originate from inside.

My experiences in various educational settings provided me with exposure to various structures and forms of authority. Whereas some systems were more rigid than others, they all expected accountability from their administrators. I needed some time to adjust to the regulations, timelines, and expectations. Regardless of the circumstances, I realized that effort was something that could not be compromised. My parents raised me in a household that did not view education as a choice. Even in the face of challenging circumstances, my parents demanded that I make a commitment to my education. Such insistence established my work ethic and sense of responsibility.

During my time as a student, I was attentive and focused. I gained the ability to pay close attention, to follow directions, and to finish things in a comprehensive manner. Without relying on familiarity or comfort, I was able to achieve success. Instead, I depended on self-control and adaptiveness to navigate through it. I learned how to visit classrooms that were foreign to me without feeling concerned, how to fulfil demands without making a complaint, and how to keep my concentration even when there was a break in continuity. In my later academic and professional life, these habits constituted the foundation upon which I built my life.

The fact that I grew up in several cultures also shaped my identity. I was taught to respect authority while maintaining a sense of who I am, to strike a balance between my ancestry and my ability to adapt. For me, identity was not something that was restricted to a single location or system. Values, upbringing, and social obligation all played a role in shaping it. My experience has taught me that a sense of belonging does not necessarily come instantly but may be developed through consistent and honest behaviour.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Phase 2 : Building Legal Foundation: Education, Qualifications, and Professional Training

There was no haste or chance involved in my journey through higher education. Responsibility, interruption, failures, relocation, and deliberate decision-making all played a role in shaping its development throughout the course of time. I have never pursued education for the sake of gaining prestige. It was pursued in order to establish a foundation, earn credibility, and acquire the capacity to operate with self-assurance within intricate institutions. I carefully considered every academic step I took, keeping my responsibilities and long-term goals in mind.

During my time in Nigeria, I established my official academic background. I received my General Certificate of school Ordinary Level with eight credits after completing my secondary school  in Iwo, coupled with youthful engagements especially being raised in a Baptist Church . These years established in me a sense of seriousness and discipline in my academic pursuits. Early on, I realized that education was not a choice but a necessity. This was a responsibility that required a certain amount of work, consistency, and accountability on the part of the individual.

I then went on to complete my General Certificate of Education Advanced Level at Oyo State College of Arts and Science, where I received three passes between the years 1985 and 1987. During this time, I experienced a transition from a system of directed schooling to one of independent academic responsibility. Through this experience, I was able to learn how to cope with greater academic pressure and how to mentally prepare myself for studying at the university level. It was around this era that I started to develop a more profound interest in structured thinking and formal systems.

While attending Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife (popularly known as Great Ife , the king of all universities in Nigeria), changing between faculties was notable. I started my legal education in 1991. It was not a hasty decision to pursue a legal education.

Observation, experience, and a growing understanding of how systems govern individuals’ lives influenced that decision. Clarity, patience, and persistent intellectual engagement were essential in legal education. The ability to read critically, to analyse arguments, and to grasp the significance of interpretations and methods are all skills that I have acquired.

Larger national realities shaped my higher education experience. Prolonged strikes extended my studies until 1997, disrupting the continuity of my academic work. These interruptions tested my willpower. I learned to stay focused without structure instead of disengaging. Although I was uncertain about the timetables for completing my degree, I corrected my work on my own, maintained academic discipline, and remained devoted to completing it. It was during this time that I gained the ability to persevere and self-regulate, which would later be crucial in both my professional and personal life.

One noteworthy accomplishment for me was finishing my LLB with honours. It was not easy; I had to endure changing situations. This strengthened my conviction that dedication is more important than speed. My legal education significantly influenced my thought process, reasoning skills, and responsibility-taking approach. Furthermore, it underscored the significance of upholding systems, adhering to due process, and fulfilling ethical obligations.  Notably,  I got married in between to my sweetheart,  Emmanuel Seun  Ajani Owoyinfa – the immaculate and fabulous father of our 3 biological  children , a grandpa and a father to many spiritual children and grandchildren to date.

“The law is reason, free from passion.”

Phase 3 : Entering Practice: Learning the Law Through Service, Structure, and Responsibility

My career in the legal field did not start with titles or authority. It all started with having a sense of responsibility, service, and observation. My prior experience in professions that directly connected me with individuals and law offices  navigating complex systems allowed me to understand the significance of structure, accuracy, and accountability before I fully committed to a specialized legal practice. I gradually began to comprehend law not as a theoretical concept but rather as a lived reality as a result of these early encounters.

I worked earlier  as  administrative staff at the Benefit Agency in Tottenham, London, from January 1997 to April 1999. This was the beginning of my working experience in the United Kingdom. My position in this profession put me at the forefront of providing public service. I was responsible for assisting service users with filling out benefit paperwork and providing advisory support within the established parameters.

My responsibilities included providing responses to questions, providing comments, and maintaining regular written interaction with service users and organizations that were pertinent to the situation. I was also responsible for maintaining accurate records by entering data into the agency’s systems and liaising with authorities from outside the organization. Precision, secrecy, and patience are all skills that I gained from my work. When individuals rely on technology to fulfill their fundamental requirements, I realized how important it is to keep things clear and accurate.

Prior to this, I worked at Akinyele Chambers in Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria, under the leadership of articulate and generous Barrister Sanya Akinyele as a trainee in the court and law office between the months of January and June  2000. This experience provided me with firsthand exposure to the realm of legal practice within the context of a judicial setting. Observing court hearings, participating in court procedure preparation and providing feedback on ongoing cases were all opportunities I had. Observing legal experts at work increased my appreciation for advocacy and procedure. I found that factors such as timing, paperwork, and preparation significantly influenced the outcomes. This experience has reaffirmed my interest in law and made my understanding of the legal profession more practical.

In the course of my return to the United Kingdom, I worked subsequently  at the Roland Advice Centre in London . This experience represented a substantial advancement in the field of advising practice. While serving in this capacity, I provided customers with advice on immigration-related issues and participated in the formulation of company strategies with the objective of delivering the highest possible value. In addition to managing general administrative obligations, which included keeping client data up to date, I was responsible for preparing court bundles and making court representations. As part of my work, I also tried to enhance customer service and establish partnerships with corporate customers. In the context of this function, it was necessary to strike a balance between legal precision, client care, and organisational accountability. Exposure to this position has improved my capacity to manage multiple demands while maintaining professional standards.

I held the position of Generalist Adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Hackney, London. This work greatly expanded my legal experience. I was responsible for providing advice in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the bureau in a wide variety of areas, such as welfare benefits and tribunal representation, debt and consumer law, housing and homelessness, immigration and nationality law, as well as family and personal matters. Due to the diversity of the situation, it was necessary to be flexible, to use excellent judgement, and to be able to prioritise competing demands.

In addition to providing advising services, I assisted the unit manager in managing people and conducting the tasks of the department under my supervision. On a daily basis, I dealt with competing priorities and learned how to maintain my composure in high-pressure situations. In addition to this, I was responsible for collecting input from customers and interacting with sales and marketing teams to assist corporate business responses and improve strategy. This role enhanced my understanding of how legal advice links with organisational strategy and public trust.

Note of Thanks

As I gather the pieces of this life story together, I take the time to express my appreciation for the individuals, events, and experiences that have played a role in shaping my journey. My road has been supported in obvious and hidden ways, like the fact that no path is walked alone.

I want to begin by expressing my gratitude to God, whose direction has helped me persevere through times of uncertainty, responsibility, and development. Throughout my life, faith has been my reliable anchor, providing me with strength when answers were delayed and clarity when decisions held significant weight.

I am truly thankful for my immediate family, which includes my wonderful husband, Pst Emmanuel Seun Owoyinfa; my unique and wonderful children; my daughter-in-law; my grandson; and my irreplaceable siblings: Professor Funke, Pst David Tayo, Prof. Chief Olumide, Evang Gbenga, and the whole Ajani family in Oluponna and around the world. Thanks so much to all of my fellow ministers, near and far. Thank you so much for the CUMI leadership, which includes General Overseer Apostle Matthew Oluwajoba and his lovely wife, First Lady Pastor Covenant, as well as the co-pastors from all over the world.

I’m so thankful for all the wonderful and beautiful people from CUMI Milton Keynes. Thank you all for the love, dedication, commitment, and generosity you have always shown to me and my family. I have served you for more than 12 years without wavering. You have always prayed a lot during hard times, especially as parents trying to raise our kids in a way that pleases God. You’ve been so helpful, understanding, patient, and accommodating in a quiet way that I’ve been able to keep going even when things got tough. Without a doubt, all of them have been a source of stability and drive for me, and all of them have helped me remember what really matters in life outside of work.

I would like to express my appreciation to my coworkers, mentors, and professional peers Ian Liang , Franca Allagoa ,  Pst Mrs  Chika Maria Amadi, and Lanny Osifeso, Ian Laiang who challenged me to develop professionally, shared their expertise with me, and upheld standards. My belief that there was a need for ethical behaviour was strengthened by the fact that I worked with people who were dedicated to serving others and showing integrity.

I am deeply grateful to the customers/clients  who shared their experiences, concerns, and aspirations with me. Through each meeting, I was able to strengthen my determination and gain a more profound understanding of the impact that the law has on individuals.

In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation for the chance to contemplate, record, and discuss this voyage. The point of this autobiography is not to assert that it is perfect; rather, it is to serve as a record of endurance, learning, and purpose, which was made possible by many hands and many hearts.

thanks,

– Dr. Marian Sola Owoyinfa