Nigerian Student Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna Elected Co-President of Harvard Law Student Government

Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna, a Juris Doctor candidate at Harvard Law School, has been elected as the Co-President of the Student Government for the 2026-2027 academic year. This achievement marks another milestone for the Nigerian student, who is also a Gates Cambridge Scholar and was a Congressional aide.

April 6, 2026 at 2:33 PM5 min read3 views

Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna has been elected as the Co-President of the Harvard Law School Student Government, a position she will hold for the 2026-2027 academic year. This election signifies a moment of pride for the Nigerian diaspora and the broader HLS community.

Ifeanyi expressed her gratitude and readiness to serve on LinkedIn, stating, “I am humbled and honoured to have been elected 2026-2027 Harvard Law School Student Government Co-President, alongside my wonderful co-candidate Tenzin Y.! Thank you to the Student Body for believing in our vision. We are ready to serve.”

Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna in a thoughtful pose inside Harvard University's Memorial Hall during her transition into law studies.

Her path to this leadership role is marked by significant academic and professional accomplishments. Prior to her studies at Harvard, Ifeanyi was recognized as a 2024 Gates Cambridge Scholar, completing a Master of Philosophy in Criminology at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests centered on international criminal justice systems, a field she began exploring during her tenure as a Congressional Aide for U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch.

Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna and Tenzin Yonten standing together on the steps of a Harvard Law School building after their election as Co-Presidents.

As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Ifeanyi has demonstrated a consistent commitment to service. During her undergraduate studies at American University, where she earned a degree in Political Science summa cum laude, she established ZeEntry, a non-profit organization aimed at reducing the digital divide for individuals involved with the justice system. Her mother, Professor Dehlia Umunna, is a notable figure at Harvard Law School, serving as a Clinical Professor of Law and the Faculty Director of the Criminal Justice Institute (CJI), making her the first Nigerian professor at the institution.

Gates Cambridge Scholar Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna celebrating her MPhil in Criminology degree from the University of Cambridge with her mother, Professor Dehlia Umunna, and brother Edozie Umunna.

Further highlighting her academic achievements, Ifeanyi was awarded the Chayes Fellowship by Harvard Law. This fellowship will support her summer 2026 internship with the UK’s Public Defender Service, enabling her to contribute her expertise in London. Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna’s multifaceted experience as a Juris Doctor candidate, former Congressional staffer, and now student body president positions her as a notable emerging leader.

Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna wearing a Harvard Law School sweater during her Juris Doctor orientation.

(The original article included an embedded Instagram post which cannot be directly replicated in this format.)

Nigerian Student Ifeanyi Ruth Umunna Elected Co-President of Harvard Law Student Government

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