Uche Ofodile: Africa’s leading voice on rights of rural farmers

Renowned law professor, Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile sleeps and talks law, especially as it concerns farmers in Africa. With stellar academic accomplishments which started from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to the Nigerian Law School, where she emerged top of her class, and securing a Chevening scholarship, she has consistently been the strong advocate, teaching the world how the agricultural ecosystem on earth will operate to engender a sustainable food structure.

Recently, she stressed this while speaking at the Harvard Law School during the 10th Anniversary of the Food Law Student Leadership Summit.

The prestigious gathering, which brought together students, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners shaping the future of food law system, had Ofodile treating the theme: ‘Farmers’ Woes, Rights, and Triumph: Farming in the Age of Global Markets, Agribusiness, Corporate Concentration, and the Climate Crisis’, which clearly stresses her critical role as a thought leader, working at the intersection of food systems, human rights, and corporate law.

Uche Ofodile’s scholarly antecedents are intimidating. At the University of Arkansas School of Law, she holds the E.J. Ball Endowed Chair and is a member of the faculty of the pioneering LL.M. Program in Agriculture and Food Law — the first such program in the United States, established over forty years ago.

She has taught and/or lectured at many universities and academic institutions around the world including Harvard University (Teaching Fellow), Tuft University (Visiting Lecturer), the American University of Armenia (Visiting Professor), and the University of Puerto Rico School of Law (Visiting Professor).

Her teaching and research span: International property law, international dispute settlement, Food and agricultural law, international investment and trade law as well as corporate governance and business law.

In 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Professor Ofodile as one of five independent experts to the newly created Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas as the sole representative for Africa.

Over the years, Ofodile, has also served as advisor to UNCTAD on international investment policy reform as a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, addressing lawyers, diplomats, government officials, and civil society leaders.

Professor Ofodile’s body of published works include numerous book chapters, scholarly articles, and essays.