Renowned legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali, has made a passionate plea to professionals and public leaders to prioritize mentorship as their primary legacy, arguing that true greatness is measured by human capital development rather than titles or wealth.

The legal giant spoke in Ilorin during the public presentation of a new book written in his honor, titled Kuliya of Ilorin: A Life of Purpose. The event, held at the Al-Hikmah University auditorium on Monday, January 26, 2026, drew an impressive audience of legal luminaries, traditional rulers, and top government officials.

Reflecting on the publication, Professor Ali described it not as a celebration of his personal milestones, but as a reminder of the duty to serve God and humanity. "We are all beneficiaries of other people's mentorship," Ali stated. "Wherever you find yourself, endeavour to lift someone else. Mentorship is not about how rich you are or the position you occupy; it is about the impact you make on others."

The 187-page book, authored by Abiodun Abdulkareem, was reviewed by Mahmud Abdulraheem. The reviewer noted that the work is structured into 11 sub-headings that chronicle Ali's journey from his early days to becoming a legal icon. The narrative places heavy emphasis on the core values of discipline, faith, integrity, and selfless service.

Speakers at the event lauded the "Kuliya of Ilorin" for his consistent philanthropic gestures and his role in grooming hundreds of legal practitioners across Nigeria through his law firm and academic contributions.

He said the book also examines his unique position as both a foremost legal practitioner and the Kuliya of Ilorin, highlighting how he has balanced modern legal excellence with traditional responsibility.

Speakers at the launch repeatedly echoed Ali's consistency and his emphasis on mentoring young people, a theme he reinforced in his remarks. The Keynote Speaker, Prof Saudat Abdulsaki, noted that societies decline when experienced professionals fail to deliberately groom the next generation.

She urged older professionals to see mentorship as a duty rather than an option, stressing that such a step will improve graduate readiness for internship and job placement.

As part of the programme, organisers unveiled a National Youth Mentorship Summit, an initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with leadership skills and ethical values. The project was described as a practical extension of Ali's lifelong commitment to developing people and building institutions.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), who was represented by the chairman of the occasion, Prof Muhtar Etudaiye, commended Ali's sustained investment in education, philanthropy and human capital development, describing him as a rare example of consistency, humility and selfless service.

Also, the Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Prof Lateef Oladimeji, lauded Ali's influence on generations of students and young professionals, noting that many beneficiaries of his mentorship trace their personal and professional growth to encounters with him dating back to their secondary school days.

Explaining the motivation behind the book, Abdulkareem said it was inspired by the urgent need for credible role models in contemporary society.

According to him, Ali's life offers young Nigerians a practical template for combining professional excellence with moral discipline. The large turnout at the event, various speakers noted, underscored Ali's reputation not merely as a successful lawyer but equally as a builder of people, whose influence resonates across generations.