Featured Student: Darracott Osawe

Darracott Osawe is just finishing his first semester as a LLM student in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program. He just moved here from Nigeria, where he was an environmental lawyer and professor. We recently talked to him about his experience thus far in the ENRGP Program. Darracott has a very impressive future ahead of him as he plans to go back to Nigeria and share his knowledge of natural resources law, specifically oil and gas development. We hope he enjoys his last semester with us and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Why did you choose the University of Denver's Graduate Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program?
I decided to undertake the program basically for two reasons. First, I am a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, in Nigeria, where I was involved in research into various aspects of Environmental Law. Furthermore, I am the litigating counsel for Climate Change Africa (CCA), a non-governmental organization in Nigeria committed to advocating for the protection of the environment and natural resources. My friends in Nigeria recommended the University of Denver to me as a place where I can acquire the academic knowledge and training needed to succeed in this endeavor.

What do you like about the program?
I like the small size of the class which enables the professors to teach and relate with students on a personal level. I also like the crop of smart, dedicated and intelligent professors who are always willing and available to impact knowledge. Lastly, Prof. Don Smith and Lucy Daberkow are a balancing factor in the program. They are patient, understanding and always available to provide an atmosphere which would enable students get the best from the program.

What advice do you have for prospective applicants?
My advice to prospective applicant is that if they wish to acquire knowledge in a first class university outstanding and committed to teaching and research into various aspects of interesting courses like International and Comparative Mining Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law and Energy Law, they should think of no other university than the University of Denver.