Femi Falana Biography
Femi Falana Biography – Femi Falana, SAN born May 20, 1958, is a Nigerian lawyer and a prominent human rights activist. He is the father of Folarin Falana, better known as the Nigerian rapper Falz.
Femi Falana has built a reputation as a staunch defender of human rights, consistently standing up for the oppressed. He is recognized for his firm opposition to the authoritarianism of successive military regimes.
Profile
- Full Name – Femi Falana
- Date Of Birth – born May 20, 1958
- Occupation – Nigerian lawyer and a
- prominent human rights activist
- Nationality – Nigeria
Femi Falana Early Life and Education
Femi Falana was born in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. He attended St. Michael’s School for his primary education and then proceeded to Sacred Heart Catholic Seminary between 1971 and 1975. He earned his law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, previously University of Ife in 1981 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. After many years of practicing law, Femi Falana was appointed Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2012.
Femi Falana Career
He is the Principal Partner at Falana and Falana Chambers, a law firm he runs alongside his wife, Funmi Falana. In 2007, he ran for the governorship of Ekiti State on the National Conscience Party’s platform, where he later served as National Chairman in 2011.
Femi Falana is also the father of Falz, a famous Nigerian rapper, singer, comedian, and actor. His wife, Funmi Falana, is an advocate for women’s rights. Femi Falana is associated with several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the West African Bar Association, the Pan African Lawyers Union, and the International Bar Association. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb).
Publications
Femi Falana has authored numerous publications, including “Governance in Post Military Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Enforcement,” published by Legaltext Publishing Company in 2005.
Awards and Recognitions
Femi Falana has received numerous awards, including a nomination for The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), recognizing his contributions to inspiring the next generation. In 2022, he was honored with the Civic Activism Award by BudgIT, a tech-driven civic organization. In 2008, the International Bar Association awarded him the Bernard Simons Memorial Award. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Human and Civil Rights from LXG Awards, as well as the Human Rights Defender Award from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
