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THE TRAJECTORY OFNIGERIAN

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NEW SECURITY & EXCHANGE COMMISSIONʼS REGULATION ON CROWDFUNDING

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TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

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oluwatosin

Solanke Oluwatosin graduated from the Olabisi Onabanjo University from where she got her LL.B with honours in 2009. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011 and holds an LL.M Degree in Commercial Law from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is disciplined, result oriented, a good team player with the ability to take up leadership responsibilities. She is the Administrator and Head of Training at ESQ Trainings Limited and also a member of the ESQ Legal Practice Magazine editorial team.

zainab

Lawal Zainab Lawal studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the university of Bradford. She has a flair for digital marketing and brand management.

She is currently a digital marketer at ESQ trainings limited. She is good at developing strategies that helps businesses thrive online. She sees herself as a creative and innovative individual with great skills in planning, time management, and research.

janet

Nwoke Janet is a seasoned communicator with years of experience in public speaking. Her background in English Language at Obafemi Awolowo University informs her book editing skills. She is multitasking, and this ability makes her fit into opportunities seamlessly. Also, She is the CEO of Royal Impeccable Gallery, the home of beads, auto gele, make up, and dress making.

ose

Etubu Ose heads the business development team at EsQ. He has over 7 years professional experience in Business Development, Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications.

Prior to his current engagement, he led growth and innovation at JCS Client Services an affiliate of one of Nigeria's leading law firms Jackson, E i & Edu.

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Samuel

Temitayo's background in finance and administration makes her an invaluable asset to Esq Trainings Limited. She also holds the position of a community manager. Temitayo is the brain behind some of the company's latest investment. She adds value by assisting lawyers with good ideas on how to translate legal expertise to profitability.

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Adigun

Omobolade Adigun is a Learning and Development Specialist with a cumulative of 7 years experience with over 3 years experience in Learning and Development. He also has a knack for Business Development. Currently, he is the Business Development Manager at ESQ Trainings Limited.

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Agu

Chidinma is a seasoned lawyer with the role of research and development at Esq Training Limited.

She finished from Obafemi Awolowo University IleIfe, Osun state. She is currently a member of a continuous legal education NGO affiliated to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) called the Legal Advocacy in Response to Drugs and related organized crime in Nigeria (LARDI).

She has also diversified into the real estate sector of the economy and she believes herself to be a seasoned research development personnel.

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Ajijola Ifeoluwa is a Business Development Executive with over 4 years experience in Business Development, Copy writing and Lifestyle management.

Head Of Training/ Administration: Tosin Solanke Community/finance Manager: Temitayo Samuel Digital Marketer: Zainab Lawal Research & Communications: Chidinma Agu Business Development team Ose Etubu Omobolade Adigun Ifeoluwa Ajijola Human Resource Manager: Janet Nwoke Olurotimi Akeredolu San Gbenga Oyebode Mfr Kayode Sofola San Prof. Mrs. Yinka Omoregbe Dr. Dayo Adaralegbe Theophilus Ayeteni Lilian Allosse Legal Interns: Ademiluyi Opeyemi Ekenedu Chidmma Idowu Akintunde

She excels at creative thinking, Brainstorming and generating innovative ideas that tackles problems related to branding and marketing.

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CHALLENGING THE STEREOTYPES & GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE WORLD

Lere Fashola

” But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last. Because every little girl, watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender. Our country has sent you have a clear message: dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not simply because they've never seen it before” Kamala Harris

T

he traditional stereotype of women being made for the kitchen, is now being challenged. Today’s woman is gradually emerging, breaking the glass ceiling and showing to the world her worth and “inviolability”.

From Law to commerce, policy, science, governance and international trade, the world is gradually witnessing a new era signaling the emergence of the women fold as a worthy and competent equal to the men folk.

However, there is still so much discrimination against the women in the work place.

According to research by Catalyst, in 2019 the population of women in senior management grew by 29% but in 2020, the figure remains the same. Statistics also reveal that women in senior management roles in regions of the world have not increased as we all assume.

This is due to several reasons tied to gender inequality in several companies around the world. It will be easy to assume that this trend is peculiar to third-world countries but statistics reveal otherwise. With women in senior leadership, in 2020, there was a percentage www.esq-law.com

increase of 38% in Africa at the top of the list while Eastern Europe saw a 35% increase and Asian Pacific at the bottom of the ladder at 27%. It seems Africa is awake and recognizing that it is never about gender but the capacity of the person when it comes to leadership.

Many organisations still believe that women are not fit for leadership role. Of course, many claim to believe in gender equality yet statistics reveal otherwise. According to Hincliff, “As of the August 2020 Fortune Global list, only 13 women (2.6%) were CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies—and all of them were White.” This is however different going down the ladder as it appears that there are more women in roles like Managers (37%), Professionals (42%), Support Staff (47%), etc.

For gender wage gap, there seem to be no special improvements over time.

According to Census Bureau data from 2018, women of all races earned, on average, just 82 cents for every $1 earned by men of all races. Eurostat also reveals that “in 2019, the majority of the EU countries (for which data are available)

recorded a higher gender pay gap (in absolute terms) in the private sector than in the public sector.” Taiwo Aderemi and Ibrahim Alley in their article on the Gender Wage Gap in Nigeria observed that “Discrimination accounts for a significant portion of the gender wage gap, although it is larger in the private sector.

Women selection bias is a prominent factor in the private sector, while it is not much of a concern in the public sector.” It is easy to conclude that several other factors may be responsible for the gender wage gap but it is obvious that while government and public institutions are trying to bridge the gap, the private sector is behind.

For a while, sexual harassment has been an issue in the workplace. After the MeToo movement of 2018, the world became more vocal about the sexual harassment faced by women in the workplace. A survey revealed that as of 2018, 39% of women in the workplace have experienced sexual harassment and 81% have experienced sexual harassment in different places in their lifetime. Of course, the reported cases are known, it will be shocking to know that

the statistics may be higher in Africa.

There is more work to be done in this part of the world as we still experience workplace inequality and certain discrimination against women in some sectors. We believe the work is not to be left to the women alone but sectors everywhere should identify the need to empower gender equally and identify the peculiarity of the women's gender by making policies that empower the women in their sectors. Notwithstanding the different factors militating against gender equality, it is recommended that there should be a body responsible for checking compliance with gender equality policies.

Finally, with the assumption of several important roles in the world by women, such as Kamala Harris, OkonjoIweala, and Samia Suluhu Hassan, to mention but a few, we believe the status quo is changing and organisations, companies, countries, agencies, and even government parastatals will have no choice but to fall in line.

Esq Legal Practice | 13

Law Firm

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE

NEW SECURITY & EXCHANGE COMMISSIONʼS REGULATION ON CROWDFUNDING Written by Advocaat Law Practice

One major issue confronting startups and SMEs seeking to either commence business or expand their operations is funding. Accessing loans from commercial banks in Nigeria can be extremely difficult given the stringent requirements and prohibitive lending rates. A viable alternative means of funding startups and SMEs is crowdfunding.

C

rowdfunding is the practice of raising funds from a segment of the public to fund a project. The funds are raised from the public are 14 | Esq Legal Practice

often negligible amounts of money raised through an internet platform, in return for equity in the business venture or an ascertainable profit. The issuers disclose the purpose for which the funds will be

utilized, the rate of return one of the following forms: accruable to the investor and set the time frames within which the investor will get his returns.

Crowdfunding can take any www.esq-law.com

donation based crowdfunding

reward based crowdfunding

investment crowdfunding

debt crowdfunding

this is typically reserved for non-profit and humanitarian effort

the entrepreneur solicits funds from individuals in return for non-monetary rewards.

funds in return for equity or shares in the sponsor investment vehicle.

funds for a fixed income until the loan sum is due

more than USD377million through crowdfunding more than twice the value raised in Crowdfunding can take any 2018 showing the growing one of the following forms: acceptance of this mode of In addition to the above financing for startups.1 models, that have been in Despite its attraction, some crowdfunded ventures, crowdfunding had hitherto the utilization of hybrid the recent intervention by the crowdfunding models with Securities and Exchange the merger of the debt-based Commission (SEC) 2 been crowdfunding and unregulated in Nigeria which cooperative society structure. meant that investors were susceptible to a number of This model is believed in some investment risks quarters, to be best suited for The SEC; the apex regulatory the African market. In 2019 agency for the Nigerian alone, Nigerian startups raised capital market and responsible Forms Of Crowdfunding

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for the regulation of all offers of security as well as the protection of investors amongst other things, recently released its Rules on Crowdfunding that will govern crowdfunding activities in Nigeria.

Crowdfunding Regulation in Nigeria

to subscribe to any of their shares. The SEC's regulation on crowdfunding will apply to investment-based crowdfunding alone and will govern the process of raising funds from the public through an online portal in exchange for shares, debt securities or other investment instruments approved by the Commission.

Some of the provisions of the regulation are discussed below.

The provisions of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) do How will funds be raised? not permit private companies in Nigeria to invite the public Under the new regulation,

Esq Legal Practice | 15

Crowdfunding can only be raised through crowdfunding portals. These portals must be operated by crowdfunding intermediaries who are required to be registered by the SEC and have a minimum paid-up capital of N100 million or approximately $258,0003 and a current Fidelity insurance Bond valued at 20% of the paid-up capital amongst the other registration requirements.

This capital requirement will prove difficult for existing and intending Crowdfunding portals to achieve but can be surmounted through raising additional equity capital and or consolidation.

Crowdfunding Portals and Intermediaries

The imposition of a two-year track record for MSMEs to be eligible to raise funds appears to negate the advantage of crowdfunding being an avenue for startups to raise funds. However, the regulation does not require the MSMEs to register with the SEC before becoming eligible to undertake crowdfunding activities unlike in the United States (US) where business issuers must first register with the US Securities and Exchange Commission before pursuing a crowdfunding round. outside Nigeria to avoid registering with the SEC but actively operating and raising funds in Nigeria.

In addition to the foregoing, ž the regulation places a number of obligations on Crowdfunding portals that must fulfilled for the purposes of registration with the SEC and these include: ž

The proposed regulation further provides that a person is considered to be facilitating, operating, providing, or maintaining a Crowdfunding Portal in Nigeria if: i.

the platform is operated, provided or maintained in ž Nigeria; ii. the platform is located outside Nigeria but actively targets Nigerian investors; or iii. the component parts of the platform, when taken together, are physically located in Nigeria even if any of its component parts, ž in isolation, is located outside Nigeria.

A Crowdfunding Portal that is located outside Nigeria will be considered as actively targeting Nigerian investors if the operator, or the operator's representative promotes the platform directly or indirectly in Nigeria. This regulation ž seeks to put an end to Crowdfunding portals incorporating their companies 16 | Esq Legal Practice

The Chief Executive of the Crowdfunding portal has an obligation to confirm ž the suitability and efficiency of its personnel to operate the portal and ž that adequate security measures have been implemented; The Crowdfunding portal must display conspicuously information on the fundraisers, a ž general risk warning on participating on the portal; information about complaints and a grievance redress mechanism The Crowdfunding portal will also have to show Business Continuity Plans, risk management, data integrity and confidentiality, proper record keeping and audit trails as part of its application for registration with SEC;

The Fundraiser as obtaining background and securities enforcement In contrast to what presently regulatory history checks obtains, the regulation on the issuer; provides that only Medium, Small and Micro enterprise Crowdfunding portals (MSMEs) incorporated in must carry out due Nigeria and in operation for a diligence, conduct minimum of two (2) years; background checks, and and MSMEs with less than a verify the accuracy and two-year operating period but viability of the business having a strong technical proposition of the partner who possess the 2fundraisers intending to year operating record use its platform; minimum will be eligible to Comply with all KYC and raise funds through a Crowdfunding Portal. The AML/CFT regulations; imposition of a two-year track record for MSMEs to be Crowdfunding eligible to raise funds appears Intermediaries must file to negate the advantage of monthly reports at the SEC crowdfunding being an stipulating the total avenue for startups to raise number of investors, funds.

However, the fundraisers and securities regulation does not require issued during the the MSMEs to register with reporting period; and the SEC before becoming Portals must ensure the installation and operation of suitable back-up facilities and must also be adequately insured against portal failure or closure amongst other obligations.

Existing Crowdfunding Portals have been given a 90day timeline effective from the 21st day of January 2021 to restructure their operations and conform with the provisions of this regulation.

Crowdfunding portals will further be mandated to take adequate measures to reduce risk of fraud such www.esq-law.com

The rules of the Crowdfunding Portal make satisfactory provisions for the protection of investors and public interest. It offers investors the rights of action and withdrawal in the case of a misrepresentation; the option to withdraw their investment or an offer to purchase securities within 48 hours of the close of the issuer's offer where there is any material adverse change which affects either the project or the issuer. Investors also have the right to rescind their investment within 7 days from the date the change became public knowledge. eligible to undertake crowdfunding activities unlike in the United States (US) where business issuers must first register with the US Securities and Exchange Commission before pursuing a crowdfunding round.

A threshold has also been set for the amount that can be raised by MSMEs through crowdfunding to not more than N50million (approximately $129,000USD) for a micro enterprise; N70million ($180,000USD) for a small enterprise; and N100million ($258,000USD) for a medium enterprise in a 12-month period4. In other jurisdictions such as New Zealand, issuers have a maximum limit of $1.5 million in a 12-month period; in

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comparison to the USA, where issuers cannot sell more than $1million of their offered security in a 12-month period and Malaysia which has no limit on the amount an issuer can crowdfund. These limits are however not applicable to digital commodities investment platforms that connect investors to specific agricultural or commodities projects for the purpose of sponsoring such projects in exchange for a return.

crowdfunding offering not earlier than 30 days after the said withdrawal and after showing to the Crowdfunding Intermediary that the relevant financial and other information has been updated.

Non-permitted Fundraisers

Certain entities are prohibited from raising funds through a Crowdfunding Portal and they include: i. complex structures5; ii. publicly listed companies and their subsidiaries; All crowdfunding offers are iii. companies with no valid for 60 days, but can be specific business plan or a extended for another 30 days blindpool6; during which a minimum of 50% must have been realized. iv. companies that propose to use the funds raised to Where this threshold is not provide loans or invest in met, the offer must be other entities; and withdrawn, and the issuer v. (such other entity as may may commence a new

be specified by the Commission.

Investors The Rule further seeks to restrict the amount that can be invested through Crowdfunding. With the exception of sophisticated and qualified institutional investors7, retail investors will not be permitted to invest more than 10% of their annual income in a calendar year.

This provision of the regulation aligns with international best practice.

Retail investors in Malaysia are not permitted to invest more than RM50,000 ($12,368) within a 12-month period8; while Investors in the USA are not permitted to invest more than $2,000 or 5% of their annual income or net worth if their net worth is less than $100,000; and 1% of their annual income or net worth is equal to or greater than $100,0009.

The rules of the Crowdfunding Portal make satisfactory provisions for the protection of investors and

Esq Legal Practice | 17

Any Crowdfunding Intermediary who does not comply with one or more of the rules shall be liable to a fine of not less than N100,000 ($258) and the sum of N5,000 ($13) for every day the violation persists. The Intermediary will also be liable for the loss of any investor's funds arising from its failure to comply with the regulations.

public interest. It offers investors the rights of action and withdrawal in the case of a misrepresentation; the option to withdraw their investment or an offer to purchase securities within 48 hours of the close of the issuer's offer where there is any material adverse change which affects either the project or the issuer. Investors also have the right to rescind their investment within 7 days from the date the change became public knowledge. Where an investor cancels an offer or decides to withdraw his investment, all funds which may have been debited from or blocked in the account of such investor is required to be refunded or released within 48 hours of their request to cancel. Investors are however prohibited from transferring their securities or investment instrument for a period of 1 year unless the transfer is to the issuer of the securities or investment instrument; to an institutional investor; or part of an offer for sale registered with the Commission. The

18 | Esq Legal Practice

regulation further provides for a time limit within which an investor can cancel or withdraw his investment but does not require the investor to provide reasons for which an investor can request to cancel or withdraw its investment. If this is not provided, the utilization of the funds raised will be subject to uncertainty due to the fear of cancellation by investors.

Data Protection and Privacy In compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulations, the Crowdfunding Intermediary and the data controller must ensure the security and confidentiality of all personal data of investors.

They are to install and operate suitable back-up facilities and ensure the development and implementation of a written identity theft prevention program.

($258) and the sum of N5,000 ($13) for every day the violation persists. The Intermediary will also be liable for the loss of any investor's funds arising from its failure to comply with the regulations.

General Disclosure The offering document must disclose the target offering amount, details of the fundraisers; Board resolutions of the fundraiser; use of the proceeds; exit options for investors; particular and peculiar risks facing the fundraisers business; a narrative of the financial condition of the fundraiser; warnings to the investors; and state all the risks associated with the investment without mitigants.

Compliance and Penalties The Crowdfunding Intermediary must implement written policies and procedures relating to the operations of its portal and shall permit inspection and examination of its business and business operations by representatives of the SEC. Any Crowdfunding Intermediary who does not comply with one or more of the rules shall be liable to a fine of not less than N100,000

Conclusion Regulating the Nigerian Crowdfunding industry is a very welcome development and it brings a lot of hope and excitement for the future of innovation in Nigeria.

Although the Rules understandably seek to protect investors and it appears to have addressed that , the SEC still needs to balance the expectation of all stakeholders in the Crowdfunding space. It also still remains to be seen how effective and efficient the implementation of the rules will be.

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THE PHENOMENAL WOMAN

FOLAKE SOLANKE Scarcely an octogenarian, Folake radiates a regal grace rarely found even in the rank of early adulthood women.

For her, neither true beauty nor elegance fades with passage of time.

20 | Esq Legal Practice

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S

he proves right Walt Whitman’s epigram that the young are beautiful but the old are more beautiful than the young. Her strands of grey hair, the only vestige of her past fulfilled years, need not be concealed. They are a metaphor for pioneering excellence and the ageless inspiration of the phenomenal woman-Olufolake Solanke.

First female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olufolake Solanke was born in Abeokuta, the hilly capital city of Ogun State, on 29th March, 1932.

Her father, J.S Odulate was a renowned industrialist and proprietor of the famous Alabukun Patient Medicine Store. Social development, as widely held, begins with the establishment of a close emotional relationship between the child and a special person in the child’s life, most often the mother.

Folake’s impressive personage shows no sign of maternal deprivation though her mother, Madam Sekunmade Abiodun Odulate, passed on when she was just two years old. In her autobiography, Reaching for the Stars, she reflects painfully: “It has been very traumatic for me, however not to have any mental picture or image of my biological mother. Whereas, I have a thousand images of my father at every stage of my life, alas, concerning my mother, the slate is almost blank. Even photographs do not convey much because they cannot be attached to anyone in my memory or life experience…The feeling of loss is permanent and indescribable”

the University of Durham, now the University of Newcastle in England. She obtained a B.A. degree in Latin and Mathematics in 1954. She had a stint of experience in teaching between 1955 and 1958 first as a Latin and Mathematics teacher at Pipers Corner School, Buckinghamshire, England and later at St. Monica’s school, England.

With Folake, you would appreciate the almost limitless potentials of a teacher to mold life. She is a mentor and close friend to some of her former pupils.

Folake Solanke’s foray into law began in 1960 with her admission into Gray’s Inn London. She found an inexorable nexus between her first passion-Mathematics and Law. This was problem solving. She completed the Bar law course in 1962 and was admitted into the English Bar on May 14, 1963. On May 31, 1963, she was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. As a budding lawyer, Folake learnt the law under legendary Chief F.R.A Williams, QC, SAN and discovered the simple secret for lifetime career success.

Recounting her experience, Folake attended Ago Oko she remarked: “My Primary School Abeokuta experience, during my from 1937 to 1939, Emo Girls pupilage years, left me in no School Abeokuta from 1940 to doubt that no lawyer could 1944 and Methodist Girls succeed without a total High School Yaba Lagos from commitment to industry and 1945 to 1949. She undertook a research.” higher course in Queens’ College then at Onikan, Lagos Williams‘s tailored attention in 1950. In 1951, she was to every case and great admitted to King’s College in industry in case preparation www.esq-law.com

inspired her. She also developed an exemplary case development strategy which has been crucial to lifetime career success as a lawyer. She revealed: “I realized very early in my practice of law that cases are not to be prepared from the Client’s perspective only. In order to be well prepared, a lawyer must also prepare a case from the perspective of the opponent. A lawyer should anticipate what the opposing Counsel is likely to do, if he had been on the other side of the litigation. A lawyer who prepares his case from his own perspective only is in for some legal surprises” As a Junior in the law chambers of F.R.A Williams, Folake Solanke did more than taking note of court proceedings and admiring Williams’ superior advocacy skills. A few months after she joined the chambers, she led the examination-in-chief of renowned Chief Adeola Odutola. Cross-examination became her forte as Litigation Counsel. Her approach is simple but optimally effective.

She explained: “One of my most potent weapons as a courtroom strategy was the crossexamination of witnesses of the opposing side. After carefully studying the facts and the applicable laws, I would then concentrate on how I would elicit evidence from the opposing witnesses to support the fact of my client’s case. I would formulate my main questions Esq Legal Practice | 21

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and have them typed out.

Other question would be added as the proceedings progressed in court. The range and scope of the crossexamination would for a circle in my head. The questions to be asked would be like radii coming from the circumference of the circle and directed to the centre, where all the facts would be collated to prove or defend a case. If there was a gap in the imaginary circumference, it meant that I had not covered the field with that particular witness and the crossexamination would continue” In 1965, Folake left the chambers of Chief Williams to establish her own practice, the very first law office to be set up and managed by a woman in Ibadan, the old Western State capital. She was not daunted by the reality that private practice was not immediately rewarding. From acting as Counsel in a meagre five guinea personal injury claim for Alsatian Dog Bite, Folake has provided legal representation to a diversified clientele including business and large corporations, public bodies and individuals.

In March 1981, Folake Solanke became the first Nigerian woman to be elevated to the highly coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In further recognition of her career achievement, she was installed the Yeyemofin of Ife by the Ooni Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II. Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke, SAN has a whole range of pioneering achievements in public life. She was appointed commissioner, Western State of Nigeria in 1972 and Chairman, Western 22 | Esq Legal Practice

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He stated that this was in 1980 when casual racism was at play and there were cases of playground abuse about those less able or different of which he was also on the receiving end. Irrespective of the clear-cut bullying and racism, Segun found a way to defend and speak for himself and was never fazed for being the only one who is black or looks like himself.

Government Broadcasting Corporation Television and Radio Network Service. Since the establishment of Zonta International in 1919, Folake Solanke was the first Nigerian woman, first African and first non-Caucasian to be elected as President.

Anyone who has had personal encounters with Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke, SAN, or

observed her at a public for a will admit that elegance is an attitude for the phenomenal woman who had in very many ways brought women into relevance in the social space.

An exceptional orator, Folake has the right word for every occasion. She is unwavering on discipline and integrity yet the warmth of her person endears her to both young and

old. At any time history is written, Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke, SAN would be celebrated as one of the few beautiful women, bold and brave enough to awaken the public consciousness that feminism is not weakness.

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Business

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

Written by: ESQ

At Common Law, one of the employer’s powers is the right to hire and fire at will which allows the employer to terminate the contract in line with the requirements of the contract of employment. At common law and under the Nigerian labour law, the employer needs not provide a reason for termination.

Employment In Nigeria

Motunrayo Olaleye expounded the recent decisions of the court on termination of an employment contract. The ILO Convention employers also can bring an Supreme Court cases, cases owever, in the on Termination of recent decision action against the employee like Shitta Bay v Federal Employment was also who contravenes the clauses Public Service Commission of Bello v Eco considered. In her words, Bank, the Court of the employment contract. and Alloysius v Diamond “contract of employment can held that an Bank about five years ago and be divided into several employer has a duty to state ESQ Practical Lawyers then we now have the recent categories, such as master and the reason for the termination Academy organized a webinar decision in the Bello v Eco servant or a situation where Bank’s case”. Questions in line with the provisions of on the Termination of the office is held at pleasure. arising from the issue of ILO Convention No. 158 and employment on the 12th of And basically, this is governed Recommendation No. 166 of February, 2021. The webinar termination of employment by a written contract, and the was moderated by Jamiu contract include, what exactly master or the employer is 1982. is the law saying on Akolade. Panelists include under no obligation to give termination of employment?

Employment is governed both Ifedayo Iroche, Motunrayo reasons for terminating the by the agreement between Olaleye, Busayo Adedeji, and Can we terminate with costs? appointment of the employee, Or do we have the liberty to employers and employees and Solomon Ezike. as long as notice or payment dismiss or terminate without in lieu of notice is given. This also the laws of the land Background giving any reason? The regulating employment. is quite different from a webinar sought to answer Where an employer ends the contract of employment with According to Jamiu Akolade, these questions. employment of an employee statutory flavour, where the the issue of termination of the contrary to the laws of the employer cannot just employment contract can be land the employee has a terminate the employee's traced to “the very old The Court On Termination Of course of action. The

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length of notice should be one month and it must be reasonable

which reiterates the rights to hire and fire. At this point, I would say that this common law position is in total contrast with article four of the Motunrayo Olaleye added, International Labor “Basically, the common law Organization Termination of position is that the employer or the employee may Employment Convention, which provides that the terminate a contract of employment if it comes from employment of a worker shall the employee would refer to it not be terminated unless as a voluntary resignation. But there's a valid reason for such termination, either it is if it's from the employer, the employer has the right to hire connected with the capacity of the employer, or with the of and fire. And this allows the the employee rather, or with employer to terminate the contract of employment, but it the conduct of the employee. has to be in accordance with So having established the written terms between the automation means I would move quickly to the concept of parties, and anything that is short of this would amount to unlawful termination.” unlawful termination of employment, and it gives the In explaining the cause of action for termination of employee a cause of action employment, she answered against the employer. There the question on what will are several cases where this position has been stated, cases entitle the employee to a viable cause of action against such as Akinfe v UBA PLC, employment without following the conditions laid down for termination.”

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“So it means that either the employer or the employee who terminates the contract should give notice. And while the employer must offer payments, you, the employee who resigns without notice, will also be a willing termination on dismissal.

Well, dismissal is different from the punitive measure, which is taken as a result of misconduct on the part of the employee. So while termination can be done by either party dismissal is usually done or it can only be done by the employer. And basically, if an employee is alleged to have acted in any improper way, there should be an impartial investigation, the employee must have been afforded the employee the right to fair hearing. And again, what this means is that the employer and what the if an employee is found guilty HR managers must consider of misconduct, the before terminating the employment cannot be employment. She explained “Well, it suffices to say that for terminated, because that will in fact, not amount to both parties, the primary termination but dismissal.” concentration should be the contract of employment, and “But if your employer or conformity with the rather, let me use myself, provisions of the set contract before you touch on me to say, in relation to issues such as God forbid, if my employer notice or payments in lieu of sacks me today, does he have notice, the reason for to provide a reason for my termination, particularly in termination. The position that instances of misconduct, the an employer is not required to procedure for investigation, and, and sharing that hearing, give an explanation for and I'll just briefly you know, termination has been touch on all of that His issues. challenged, I'll refer to the So the first thing is that notice standing decision where the must be given and when such court decision was contrary to the old position that you is not given there should be cannot force even an payment in lieu.” employee on an obedient employer. And the facts of that case summarize that the Length Of Notice Of Termination Of Employment claimant claimed that his employment was abruptly According to Motunrayo, the Esq Legal Practice | 25

And basically, if an employee is alleged to have acted in any improper way, there should be an impartial investigation, the employee must have been afforded the employee the right to fair hearing. And again, what this means is that if an employee is found guilty of misconduct, the employment cannot be terminated, because that will in fact, not amount to termination but dismissal. terminated by the defendant for no just reason and in a bid to victimize him, because he had challenged the activities of certain persons in the defendant’s organization, and the defendant, on the other hand, argued that he owed the claimants no explanation, and basically could terminate his employment for no reason at all. Well, in that case, the court held that the termination of employment of the claimant by the defendants was wrong, cruel and unfair.”

The court relied on convention number 158 and 166 of the International Labor Organization. And some of the findings of the court in that case, basically were that if a termination of course without notice, letter of termination must be given at the same time, with salary in lieu of notice, which wasn't done in this case, and relying on the ILO convention recommendations, the court stated that to terminate or dismiss an employee without giving justifiable reasons, would be tantamount to unfair termination, especially where the employee was not found wanting in carrying out his duties. The court also relied on section 254 C of the Constitution, Section seven one of the NICN Act. And saying that the court has the

requisite jurisdictions to make recourse to the International Labor Law convention, even though some of them may not be domesticated in Nigeria.

And the summary of all of this is that even though an employer has the right to terminate the employment of an employee, the employer must be satisfied that the employee has done something that is incompatible with the faithful discharge of his duty, and the burden is on the employer to justify the termination or dismissal.”

“A similar decision was also reached, in the case of Afolayan Aderonke v Skye Bank. This was an earlier decision. And the fact of that case was that the Claimant was suspended and subsequently arraigned before a disciplinary committee for authorizing the payments of a cheque, without calling on the payee. So basically, the courts relied on the ILO conventions or recommendations as in the previous case, in adopting international best practices and best standards, and tell that it was unfair labor practices for the employer, not to communicate the outcome of the investigation with the employee for almost three years, only for her to be served with a letter of termination for no reason.

Constitution is for the NIC to apply international best practices in arriving at its decision and applying the ILO conventions which have been ratified even when they're not by the National Assembly.

And conclusively To ensure And what I would say is that that arbitrariness is avoided the judgments of the courts in and fairness is achieved, We these recent decisions have have to strive to meet globally reinforced the evolving accepted standards of labor dynamics in the workplace practices with respect to structure and the quarter arbitrary termination of shifted from the Old Common employment. And there's a Law position of hire and fire need to ratify international at will. And it is now a tenable conventions, and reform argument that is contrary to existing laws, as we recognize the International Labor Law the importance of meeting the standard and best practice for standards of the human rights an employer to terminate the system.” employment of its employee without giving any reason for that is connected with the performance of the employee's work. And I would also say that Nigeria is a member of ILO, the ILO Convention on Termination of Employment provides that there should be valid reasons for termination.

From the Nigerian perspective, the typical arguments would be that treaties are not enforceable as part of domestic law until they are ratified by an Act of the National Assembly, reference to be made to Section 12 of the Constitution. And there is a Supreme Court decision that it has to be ratified otherwise it would have no force of law in Nigeria. But I would like to add to what I consider the progressive approach. We can relax Section 254 C and take up international best practices on labor and employmentrelated issues. It is my position that the intent of the

And it is now a tenable argument that is contrary to the International Labor Law standard and best practice for an employer to terminate the employment of its employee without giving any reason for that is connected with the performance of the employee's work.

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Interest Of Employer In Termination

the employer and the employee. And the court is not saying do not terminate an Question is always raised employee's employment. It when this topic comes up on just says give a reason. I think what happens to the interest this is fair for the employer to of the employer who's putting if there's an issue of in so much capital and misconduct, for example, carrying so much risk conduct a proper business-wise, to keep the investigation, let the employee undertaking going? And know what the outcome of the you're saying it, you don't investigation is. And then you have the latitude to decide know, it's just to avoid who you work with? Or not? arbitrariness. Basically, it's to How are you viewed? Do you get a balance. If the employer think the interest of the has rights so does the employer is taken into employee too and it is account? Is there any sort of important that this balance is balancing act that you think reached, provide a reason. If, the courts have even for example, my employment attempted to do in rendering is terminated, and I'm these recent decisions? wondering, okay, do I need to put this in my CV? If I'm In her reply to this question, asked, where I'm going, why Motunrayo said, “I think that was my employment this decision is open for both terminated? You've got the

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labor and employment prior to that the NIC was also empowered by the NIC Act. In Section seven, subsection six, to apply international best practices. So now to advise an HR practitioner or an employer who is considering terminating the employment of an employee. So the issue is What HR Personnel Should Know one, you can no longer terminate the employment of In adding to the above an employee without giving submissions, Busayo Adedeji reasons. When terminating the raised certain points in his employment of an employee presentation as follows, you have to adduce a reason “The position of the labour for termination. This was the law regime in Nigeria was position of the court. And this that employers have the right is also in line with the to fire at will or fire for no provisions of the termination reason, any reason, bad reason of employment convention of at all. But under the current the International Labour dispensation, the NIC is Organization. Where it was empowered by the provided that the termination Constitution to apply of employment of an international best practices in employee is tied directly to the results of something I did, you know, all of these issues are things that the employee fixes after an arbitrary termination of employment. So, well, I think these decisions are actually balanced because it doesn't say do not tell me it just says, give a reason.

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Another thing the HR personnel is to put in mind when trying to terminate the employment of an employee is that you can no longer terminate an employee's employment with immediate effects, because terminating the employment of an employee suggests some sort of wrongdoing on the part of the employee. practice, at least as far as NIC is concerned, to dismiss an employee, and expect that all the earnings that accrue to the employee is gone. Another thing that needs to be borne in mind when terminating the employment of an employee “Another thing the HR is, this is actually at the level personnel is to put in mind of drafting the employment when trying to terminate the employment of an employee is contracts, HR professionals need to be sure or whoever is that you can no longer drafting the contract needs to terminate an employee's employment with immediate be sure, that the termination provisions of the contracts are effects, because terminating clear and precise. They should the employment of an employee suggests some sort leave no room for ambiguities of wrongdoing on the part of because if there is any the employee. So if you must ambiguity, as simple as maybe failing to apply a comma or terminate employment with colon where it is necessary, immediate effect, you must give reasons for such because the provision of that contract in industries like the banking will be interpreted against the sector if you terminate the employer. employment of an employee's employment with immediate What Constitutes Reason For effect stains the reputation of Termination that employee in the industry, so if you are terminating with Ifedayo Iroche added her personal opinion to the issue immediate effect you must in Ecobank's case. In her adduce justifiable reasons, words, "We have a system that because as the last speaker rightly mentioned the onus to oversees the relationship between employer and prove that the termination is justiciable will always lie with employees which is the court."

She continued by stating that the employer.” the court not being clear on Speaking of a few other things what constitutes a valid reason will lead to HR professionals and capacity of the employee to render his duties to the employer or the employee has displayed conducts which the employer believes will be an adverse effect to his business.”

employers need to bear in mind as far as I'm concerned, HR professionals need to also bear in mind Regardless of the reason for the termination, it is a case of dismissal, all the earnings of an employee that have accrued prior to the employee’s termination must be paid as a form of termination, it is no longer the 28 | Esq Legal Practice

complications. She said "The court has held that "your services are no longer required" is not enough reason for termination.

However, the court did not clearly state the constituent of the reasons. My problem is in the determination of what stands as a good reason.

What constitutes your reason for termination may be more than the performance of the employees. How then do you determine what is a good reason? I think the best is not to argue but appropriately compensating the fired employee."

What Then Are International Best Practices?

Explaining what constitutes international best practices, Solomon Ezike opines that international best practices are case sensitive. He said, "What constitutes international best practices is determined by the peculiarities of each case.

There is no consensus to what should be international best practice.

We must bear in mind that there should be a recourse to the terms of contract in determination of

"Lawyers should familiarize themselves with the ILO convention from top to bottom. If you read it well you will know how to solve the debate of what constitutes valid reason for termination.

My problem is in the determination of what stands as a good reason. "Lawyers should familiarize themselves with the ILO convention from top to bottom. If you read it well you will know how to solve the debate of what constitutes valid reason for termination. www.esq-law.com

employment."

Conclusion

familiarize themselves with the ILO convention from top Solomon also advised HR In conclusion, Jamiu Akolade, to bottom. If you read it well professionals in acting in the the moderator of the event did you will know how to solve best way. "Employers and HR suggest that lawyers should the debate of what constitutes practitioners should tread the familiarize themselves with valid reason for termination. caution and be abreast with the provisions of the contents international standards and of the laws regulating The reasons for termination the local statutes and case termination of employment. can come from the following : laws."

He said, "Lawyers should www.esq-law.com

ž ž ž

Capacity of the employee Conduct of the employee Business reorganization of the company

The ILO recommendations put exceptions to the kind of employees these reasons should be given."

Esq Legal Practice | 29

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Legalreport Deals

Ezinwa Okoroafor Elected FIDA International Director

Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor Esq Former Regional Vice President (Africa), and National President (Nigeria) of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has now been elected FIDA International Director.

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SQ Law celebrates her for her dedication and achievements.

Here is Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor Esq profile has seen on UNITY SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION:

of Nigeria and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, Nigeria Branch. Following a multisectoral career progression, she currently serves as General Counsel at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

with the objective of protecting, promoting, enhancing and preserving the rights and interests of women and children, with a presence in over 50 countries of the world. She has served FIDA in many capacities. She is currently FIDA International Secretary and was previously Regional Vice President (Africa) and Country Vice President (National President) Nigeria, among others.

She is a member of both the Nigerian Bar Association “Mrs Ezinwa Nwanyieze (NBA) and the International Okoroafor, is an alumna of the Bar Association. She is Federal Government Girls’ currently Chair of the Family Some positions of and Childs Rights Law College Owerri, Imo State, Committee of the NBA Section responsibility held in the past Nigeria. A legal practitioner include Member, NBA on Legal Practice. with over 30 years of multiNational Executive faceted post-call experience, she graduated from the Ezinwa has a special interest Committee; NBA Abuja Disciplinary Committee; University of Nigeria with an in women and children’s Council Member, NBA LLB (Hons) degree in 1985 rights, sustainable Women Forum; Member, 100 and was called to the Nigerian development and good Women Group – Federal Bar in 1986. Ezinwa holds a governance. She is a Life Ministry of Women Affairs Master’s degree in Law (1989) Member of the International and Social Development, from the University of Lagos. Federation of Women Nigeria; Inaugural Board Lawyers (FIDA) – an She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation association of women lawyers Member, Women Trust Fund; www.esq-law.com

Member, Inaugural Faculty UNDP co-supported Corruption Risk Assessment Programme Nigeria; Delegate to the Nigeria National Conference 2014 and National Chairperson of the Society of Women in Taxation.

In her local community, Ezinwa holds the title of Ola Agburu Oma (a Jewel of a good heritage) of Isiala, Isuamawu in the Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State and has also been honoured as Diamond Mother of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Isuikwuato Diocese.”

Esq Legal Practice | 31

Legalreport Deals

NIGERIAʼS OKONJO-IWEALA MAKES HISTORY AS HEAD OF WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Reuters has reported that three months after the Trump administration rejected her, former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received unanimous backing on Monday to become the first woman and first African director-general of the World Trade Organization.

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“I think our interests and priorities are aligned. They would be to ensure the trade hat it (the want to bring the WTO back WTO) needs body does more to address the to (its) purpose,” she told COVID-19 pandemic, calling is someone Reuters. who has the the disparities in vaccine rates capability to between rich and poor The U.S. delegate said that drive reform, who knows the countries “unconscionable” Washington was committed to trade and who does not want and urging members to lift to see business as usual. And export restrictions on medical working closely with her and would be a “constructive items. that is me,” she said on partner”.

Monday.

EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said he looked forward to working closely with her to drive “muchneeded reform of the institution”.

A 25-year veteran of the World Bank, where she oversaw an $81 billion portfolio, Okonjo-Iweala ran against seven other candidates She also expressed confidence by espousing a belief in China’s delegate pledged “full Earlier she told Reuters in an that her priorities were trade’s ability to lift people support” for her. interview that her top priority aligned with Washington’s. out of poverty.

Deals

GOOGLE SIGNS DEAL ON COPYRIGHT PAYMENTS TO FRENCH PRESS 32 | Esq Legal Practice

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Legalreport

Global law firm White & Case LLP has secured another victory for PT Ventures SGPS, S.A., a Portuguese telecommunications company ultimately owned by Sonangol EP, the Angolan state oil company, with an arbitral award of over US$650 million upheld by the French courts.

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he disputes relate to PT Ventures’ shareholding in Unitel S.A., Angola’s largest telecommunications company.

White & Case successfully represented PT Ventures in arbitration proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in 2019, securing an award of over US$650 million in favor of PT Ventures.

After the ICC award was issued, Vidatel applied to the Paris Court of Appeals in an

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his is the beginning of a new dawn as Google and French newspapers said Thursday they had signed an agreement aimed at opening the way to digital copyright payments from the online giant after months of heated negotiations.

According to the Guardian, the said agreement creates a framework for Google to

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effort to annul the award.

However, in a substantial decision rendered on 26 January 2021, the Paris Court of Appeals has dismissed the action for annulment brought

by Vidatel.

The decision dismissing the action for annulment was issued by the International Commercial Chamber of the Paris Court of Appeals. It has all the elements of a landmark decision, which settles several important issues in French arbitration law. The decision clarifies the powers granted to

the ICC by its Rules of Arbitration, the scope of the principle of equality of the parties in the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, an arbitrator’s duty of disclosure, the duty of loyalty and promptness of the parties in the conduct of the proceedings, and, finally, the conditions for assessing circumstances likely to create a reasonable doubt as to an arbitrator’s independence.

The White & Case team which represented PT Ventures in the proceedings before the

Paris Court of Appeals was led by partners Christophe von Krause, Lucas De Ferrari and John Willems (all Paris), Jorge Mattamouros (Houston), and John Rogerson (London), with support from associates Faustine Chapelin, Fadi Hajjar, Héloïse Broc and Niels Aujouannet-Kelner (all Paris) and Gwen Wackwitz and Charlie Mercer (both London).

negotiate individual licence agreements with newspapers on the payments and will give papers access to its new News Showcase programme, which sees it pay publishers for a selection of enriched content.

Payments are to be calculated individually and will be based on criteria including internet viewing figures and the amount of information published.

APIG head Pierre Louette, who is also CEO of the Les Echos of the Le Parisien newspaper group, said the deal amounts to the “effective recognition of neighbouring rights for the press and the start of their remuneration by digital platforms for the use of their publications online”.

Google France chief Sebastien Missoffe called the deal proof of a “commitment” that opens

up “new perspectives.”

However, Both Google and the French newspaper have refused to reveal the monetary value involved.

Esq Legal Practice | 33

Legalreport Country

Experts Analyses the Future of Law and Technology On a webinar anchored by Jay Smith recently on the future of law, legal tech experts such as Will Foulkes, Prof. Sarah Green, and Stevie Ghiassi analysed the impacts of emerging technologies on the practice of law.

In dealing with technologies Stevie Ghiassi said lawyers should combine the skills of a lawyer with that of an engineer. Lawyers may now be required to learn and know more about artificial intelligence, natural language processing, algorithms, blockchain, etc. Jay Smith said he believes that lawyers learning coding and programming will go a long way in helping them and will improve their legal service delivery when dealing with clients in the technology industry. According to Prof.

Sarah Green, one of the panelists on the webinar, there 34 | Esq Legal Practice

will still be a lot of work for lawyers to do notwithstanding the coming of technology. It will now mean that lawyers must now identify where and what tech will not be able to achieve and leverage this. This can only be achieved by proper legal tech education.

Emerging technologies will redefine the definition of legal practice. So, lawyers must familiarize themselves with the use of technologies.

In addition to the above, Stevie Ghiassi submitted that lawyers must also familiarize themselves with the concept of smart contracts and how

the knowledge of the law will come to play with such. The law is more involved in the process of technology concerning smart contracts.

Replying to this, Prof. Sarah Green said the question of rectification of smart contracts will soon be raised in a court of law. Smart contracts can be rectified and this may follow the normal legal principles of rectification of contracts. She added that the way humans and machines will peruse and interpret words and contracts will be different and humans are indispensable in legal service delivery. Will Foulkes said a proper understanding

of the concept of the smart contract will be helpful in case there is a dispute on rectification of the smart contract. Lawyers must know how to deal with other legal issues that may arise from smart contracts.

On digital assets, Prof. Sarah Green said the law relating to digital assets and property must change in all jurisdictions. In the UK, it is now recognized that it is possible to have property rights in tokens. The question, according to her, is, where is the locus of the property right in a token? Many are still www.esq-law.com

Legalreport

education is not preparing dominate technologies and lawyers must be ready for the students for the new world.

Sarah said humans and market. machines are different in how Will Foulkes commenting on they peruse contracts. How should legal education the security of crypto and change? digital assets said crypto is expected to be encrypted, Jay Smith: There are more and however, there is no more programmes to assist encryption that can not be with this in colleges and decrypted and that means universities but there is still a crypto can be hacked. long way to go! Harvard has a Participants were allowed to good(and free) course, CS50 ask questions. Below are some programming for lawyers which is a great start. of the questions and the answer: As for programming in law “Is there a solution to the huge within this context, what kind of programming language computing and energy would you say is best suited overhead required to affect the proof of work required by for this? blockchain and blockchaintrying to determine the Jay Smith: Solidity is one of based currencies?” concepts of property rights the programming languages and possessory rights in a Will Foulkes: “Yes, collective used to write smart contracts token. Commenting on this, proof of work protocols such on Ethereum. Kotlin and Java Stevie Ghiassi noted that in are other common languages as that created by talking about ownership of for different protocols like minima.global” digital assets, we must know Corda or Hypoledger… It is that digital assets are like “Would it be fair to say smart possible to interact with a having social media accounts. contracts might create more blockchain using javascript Just as we have passwords problems than they are able to too. that can allow us to enter, we solve, especially when dealing also have passwords that What is the future of startups with void contracts?” should be personal in that focus on blockchain smart accessing our digital assets Jay Smith: “There are risks but contracts? vaults. This shows that digital the benefits in terms of speed assets are personal properties. and reduction in cost are very Jay Smith: It is a pretty real and my personal view is exciting space at the moment.

Sarah Green posited that in that, on the balance, it is worth There’s been a huge increase the next ten years, smart in the number of startups pursuing.” contracts and decentralized particularly in defi ledger technology will (decentralized finance).

“One issue here is that legal www.esq-law.com

Speaking on learning code, Jay Smith said, “ I taught myself to code using FreeCodeCamp, CodeAcademy and the CryptoZombies are great resources to learn code and write a smart contract.”

Might cryptocurrencies gain popularity as a way to undercut the Euro in countries that are finding it increasingly difficult to support it?

Jay Smith: “My personal view is that a lot of the rise in the value of crypto is linked to the realization of the limitations of fiat – for example, the US has printed more US Dollars in the last 10 years than in its whole history. Whether cryptocurrencies function as a store of value like say gold, that’s another debate in itself.”

In conclusion, panelists agreed that to be relevant in the future lawyers must not only keep abreast of the evolving legal practice but ensuring a good understanding of emerging technologies.

Lawyers must also be ready to leverage technologies in their legal service delivery.

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Legalreport Country

Banwo & Ighodalo Advises a Syndicate of International Lenders on Record-Breaking Oil & Gas Financing

Banwo & Ighodalo recently announced its role in the successful closing of one of the largest oil and gas acquisitions to take place in Africa in the last decade.

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he law firm advised a syndicate of international banks, global investment funds, and financial institutions, including Standard Chartered Bank, ABSA Bank Limited and the African Export-Import Bank in connection with the US$1,100,000,000 (One Billion, One Hundred Million United States Dollars) term loan facility advanced to TNOG Oil and Gas Limited and TNOG Pipelines Limited (affiliates of Heirs Holdings Limited and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc). The funds are earmarked to finance the acquisition of a 45% participating interest in Nigerian oil license OML 17 and related assets from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited.

This acquisition financing is

36 | Esq Legal Practice

ground-breaking, as the hybrid debt structure, which includes a combination of multi-tiered financing, a convertible facility, and accordion features (thereby giving the Borrowers the ability to increase the commitments across the entire capital structure from time to time), is the first of its kind in the African oil and gas market.

It is also the first divestment in Nigeria by Shell, Total, and NAOC to use a deferred purchase-price component.

The members of the Ban wo & Ighodalo team that advised on the transaction include: ž Energy & Natural Resources Practice Group ž Kenneth Etim, Managing Partner ž Kehinde Ojuawo, Partner ž Akindeji Oyebode, Senior Associate

Adetutu Sanusi, Senior Associate ž Tobi Adebowale, Associate ž Banking & Finance Practice Group ž Seyi Bella, Partner ž Rochelle Smith, Associate ž Ibrahim Hassan, Associate ž Basirat RaheemMuhammed, Associate ž

The transaction not only demonstrates our firm’s expertise in advising on complex, syndicated crossborder financings and navigating the Nigerian oil and gas regime but also highlights the seamless synergy between our practice groups which we leverage to provide our clients with innovative solutions in the face of the current global financial climate.

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Legalreport Country

Templars Advises UTM on Financing of a 1.2 Million TPA FLNG Facility

Templars advise UTM Offshore Limited on securing a License to Establish (LTE) Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) Production Plant.

Templars is Project Counsel advising UTM on the development and financing a 1.2 Million TPA floating liquefied natural gas facility and the LTE issued by the petroleum sector regulator, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). The plant would have a capacity to process 176 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas and condensate with natural gas feedstock from Oil

It was gathered that this move was necessitated by UK's departure from the European Union. However, countries in the East African Community Trading Bloc have raised concerns on the deal even though the UK plans to engage in similar alliances with the countries in that region.

The terms of the deal were agreed upon in November 2020 but were signed on the 8th of December, 2020 by UK www.esq-law.com

Mining Lease 104.

The Templars team advising UTM is led by Energy and Projects Partner, Dayo Okusami supported by Energy and Projects Partner Yemisi Awonuga with additional team members: Managing Counsel, Dupe Dabiri, Senior Associate, Bernard Ehigiamusor and Associates Damilola Oshodi and Clare Ohiro.

International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina. The deal is expected to take force from January 1, 2021. This deal allows for duty-free movement of goods between the two countries.

Commenting on the deal, Jayawardena said: “This deal makes sure businesses have the certainty they need to continue trading as they do now, supporting jobs and

Dayo Okusami said ‘‘We are pleased to have been part of this significant milestone for our client, UTM Offshore. It has been hard work securing the first FLNG license to be issued in Nigeria and the hard work will continue until completion of the project which will contribute to the actualization of the zero flare policy of the Nigerian Government as well as increasing Nigeria’s LNG

production capacity.

TEMPLARS continues to be involved in the largest, most complex, and first to market projects in Nigeria and we are honored that UTM have trusted us to advise them on this monumental endeavor. ’’

Coca-cola General Counsel Advises Law Firms To Diversify

livelihoods in both our countries.” He continued by saying, “Today's agreement is also a first step towards a regional agreement with the East African Community, and I look forward to working with other members to secure an agreement to forge evercloser trading ties.”

One of the opportunities available in the deal is for the florists who rely on flowers imported from Kenya which was estimated to be worth

GBP 54 million in 2019. Other UK market with heavy involvement in import in 2019 includes tea, coffee, and spices tuning to a market worth GBP 121 million, and vegetables to the tune of GBP 79 million.

43% of Kenya's vegetable export was received by the United Kingdom. Also, close to 2,500 UK businesses export to Kenya in the machinery, electronics, and equipment sectors.

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Legalreport Country

Flutterwave Emerges As Only African Startup On Y Combinatorʼs List

Flutterwave taking the lead as it emerges as the Only African startup on Y Combinator’s list of top companies by valuation.

Flutterwave, a Nigerian startup has made it to the Y combinator’s list of top companies by valuation, ranking 115 in 2021.

Flutterwave is the only African startup on the list thereby making it the most valuable in Africa.

Flutterwave is owned and managed by Olugbenga Agboola who is a Nigerian.

The start-up is valued at $150 million.

The list was put together to help potential employees, partners and late-stage investors get to know a wider set of YC companies.

Since the launch in 2005, YC has invested in over 2000 start-ups around the world by investing between, $125,000$150,000 for 7% equity.

The total number of global start-ups on the list is 134 and Flutterwave ranked 115 with Y Combinator is a US start-up Airbnb, Doordash, and Stripe being top of the list. accelerator that offers seed funding to a wide range of start-ups. They released a list Over the years more Nigerian start-ups like Paystacks, of its top companies by Buycoins, Cowrywise valuation as of January 2021.

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL HAS RANKED NIGERIA AS THE SECOND MOST CORRUPT COUNTRY IN WEST AFRICA

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t the end of January 2021, the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) gave its 2020 report by Transparency International pinpointing Nigeria occupying the 149th position out of the 180 countries surveyed as well scored 25 out of 100 points.

Scaling from 0 to 100 in TI’s rating, zero means “Highly

retention bonuses, were excluded as well as the value founder and investors received from an acquiring amongst others have been able company’s stock postto get featured in the liquidation event. They also accelerator program. noted that this is not an exhaustive list as it allowed According to Y Combinator, some alumni start-ups to opt“Valuation is the most out of being listed for any commonly available metric to reason. This might be the case compare companies in the for the six-year-old start-up, start-up world. Other metrics, Paystack. like revenue, are more often kept private. It’s worth noting The African market of startthat we have several ups is indeed hopeful as more impressive companies who African start-ups backed by would appear on the list or YC raised funding this year. rank even higher if we The YC list is predicted to counted other metrics.” likely feature more African start-ups next year than it did They added that for top exits, this year. only the money that went to the cap table at the time of acquisition was counted and Corrupt,” while 100 represents “Very Clean”.

Nigeria under the government of the President Muhammadu Buhari is now ranked the second most corrupt country in West Africa showing that the country has worsened in corruption alongside GuineaBissau more corrupt than Nigeria in the sub-region.

In the last Transparency International rating report in

2019, Nigeria was ranked 146th out of the 180 countries surveyed, scoring 26 out of 100, and today, Nigeria is ranked the second most corrupt country in West Africa.

Legalreport Country

World Bank Commits $12 Billion For Vaccinations According to a report by Bloomberg, the World Bank has committed $12 billion to emerging countries, supporting vaccination programs that have failed to keep pace with those of developed nations.

President of the World Bank, David Malpass at a virtual meeting on the Africa Covid19 vaccine financing and deployment strategy held on the 27th of January said “the World Bank money will be in the form of grants or on “highly concessional terms.”

“We’re preparing emergency

vaccine financing projects in 21 countries in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Niger, Mozambique, Tunisia, Eswatini, and Cabo Verde to name a few,” said Malpass.

“The funds are available now,” he added.

of the doses to come from the Covax initiative and 11% from a separate African Union program, Africa’s CDC said.

But it’s far behind the rest of the world in terms of acquisition and inoculations, with richer nations having secured the scarce shots early.

The report by Bloomberg added that the cost of vaccinating 60% of Africa’s 1.3 billion people would be between $10 billion and $15 billion, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control.

The continent has secured 36% of its vaccine needs, with 25%

“Since the outbreak of Covid19 last March, the bank has committed $25 billion to African countries to support their health and economic recovery, and we expect to commit an additional $15 billion by June,” Malpass said.

“We urge leaders of African

countries to move quickly to secure vaccinations for their populations, and to avail themselves of the financing available from us.”

South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation, is one country that didn’t move quickly to secure vaccines.

The first doses are due to arrive on Feb. 1 after widespread criticism of the government’s failure to sign bilateral agreements with drug makers in 2020.

GE Nigeria Get New President Mohammed Mijindadi, the appointed president of General Electric (GE) Nigeria, has been with the organization for 13 years.

Before this, he served different United States global organizations in the transportation, administrations, construction, and entertainment areas.

General Electric has appointed a new head for its Nigerian business. www.esq-law.com

GE has been operating in Nigeria for more than forty years.

Mijindadi brings to his new

job more than 20 years' experience, just as worldwide and territorial administration mastery.

priority market"

In his new position, Mijindadi will focus on boosting GE's effect in Nigeria, through Praising Mijindadi, Jaime associations with partners in Morais, the leader of GE West the power, medical care, and Central Africa, said: "His aviation, and environmentally track record of building and friendly energy businesses. He will likewise assist with managing relationships as well as pushing to deliver driving the execution and business results will serve us improvement of the well as we position to support organization's marketing our businesses for growth, technique. transformation, and operational performance in such an important and high Esq Legal Practice | 39

Legalreport TEMPLARS ADVISES YOUTUBE ON A US$100 MILLION BLACK VOICES FUND

Templars advised YouTube on its US$100 million Black Voices Fund which rolled out this week.

The fund, which is one of YouTube’s global racial-justice initiatives is specifically aimed at supporting black content creators and Artists in different countries around the world.

Further to an open and intense selection process, YouTube named 23 content creators

from Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria as part of a larger selection of 132 recipients that will benefit from the multiyear funding. The recipient creators include (among others) musicians, comedians, beauty entrepreneurs, activists, teachers, personal trainers, poets, and

Convergence Partners, an African Technology investment management firm based in South Africa has increased its stake in a fintech company, Channel VAS which provides mobile money services across Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, Convergence had invested in a Dubai-based company and has now acquired an additional stake worth USD 5 million.

photographers who create original and engaging content on YouTube.

The beneficiaries will receive funding for content development on their channels as well as training, partner support, and networking programs organised by YouTube.

The Templars team that advised on the transaction was led by Corporate & Commercial Partner Ijeoma Uju, supported by Senior Associate Oghomwen Akpaibor and Associates Okabonye Chukwuani and Victor Sameria.

Convergence majorly channels financial needs of underserved customers in the its investments into the technology, media, and markets it serves.” Doyle 2040 and continue itssector path to report on Tekedia telecommunications in continued: “This substantial power its in operations revealed offices Mauritiuswith and development has impact comesthat its Some of energy its previous coupled with Shell rapid,Energy profitable Nigeria.

100% renewable by include Nedbank, growth and dominant scale in investments 2025 – five years ahead of its Europe BV (Shell) Intelsat, Telkom, and the business' chosen solutions, 2030 target. has signed an Vodacom. a focused, top quality agreement with Amazon on management team, substantial Monday to provide renewable Shell’s ambition is to be a netfuture scale and growth Channel VAS offers mobile zero emissions energy power from a subsidy-free prospects, solid and proven banking and credit services business by 2050 or sooner, in offshore wind farm being execution capabilities and across multiple countries in step with society.

The constructed off the coast of delivery of market-leading Sub-Saharan Africa, aswind well as The Netherlands. The deal farm will be operated The metrics.” other regions includingbythe CrossWind consortium, a joint comes amidst intense calls for Convergence chief executive Middle East and Latin a transition to clean energy. venture between Shell and Brandon Doyle said in a America.

Fintech has changed the face statement: “This is a business of banking in Africa during Eneco. Starting in 2024, Paystack, a Nigerian fintech we feel particularly excited the past five years andby hasthe company received a USD A statement released Amazon will offtake 250 20 about as it ticks a number of helped bankers reach million private equity company said the Amazonmegawatts (MW) from Shell boxes for us as an investor; the consumers beyond the investment, US-based Shell HKN Offshore Wind and 130 MWfrom froma Eneco, for a success of the business conventional way of banking. company while in October Project will enable Amazon to total of 380 MW. demonstrates the capacity of Fintech in Africa has grown 2020, a South African fibre power and more of been its business digital data and AI greatly has receiving connection business was with clean energy. It will technologies to deliver investments. purchased by a Londonmove the company closer to headquartered investor. meaningful and robust its pledge to become net-zero solutions to meet the real carbon across its business by

A Sub-Sahara African company that engaging in fintech service received USD 5 million as investment from a SHELL REACHES JohannesburgA RENEWABLE headquartered investor.

POWER DEAL WITH

A

AMAZON, MARKING ITS MAJOR SHIFT FROM FOSSIL FUEL

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Public/Private Partnerships & Infrastructure Finance ENQUIRIES:

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6DECEMBER, – 92021

Interview

GREYCHAPEL LEGAL

A PROMISE OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE

ESQ Team had a conversation with Mr. Oladele Oladunjoye, the managing partner of Greychapel Legal. Mr Oladunjoye talked about the firm’s perspective of gender equality and also shared business advice for small and medium scale businesses.

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Undoubtedly, SMEs are the backbone of many world economies. According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, SMEs in Nigeria have contributed about 48% of the national GDP in the last five years. Several factors such as vulnerability to economic shocks, instability, lack of supportive policy environment, excessive regulation, complex and cumbersome tax policies have been some of the problems that SMEs encounter.

As the principal partner of a growing law firm, can you tell us your perspective of Gender equality and inclusion:

we prioritize competence over gender in our recruitment process, we make a conscious effort to ensure that there is a he firm’s priority balanced representation when has always been recruiting. We are also able to ensuring that the ensure fairness and inclusion by ensuring that every needs of the clients are met at employee, regardless of every given time. To this end, gender (to the extent that they the firm’s core focus is putting are in the same cadre) are equally compensated. together a team of wellgrounded professionals As a principal partner, what advice regardless of their gender will you give to other male leaders and/or ethnicity. This of in ensuring gender equality and course does not diminish the inclusion in Nigerian workplace. role of gender equality as we strongly believe in providing a As they might be aware, one level playing field for willing of the major variables that employees. Interestingly, since gives any organization the our inception and of no much-needed competitive deliberate act, we have always edge is the level of had more female than male competence displayed by the employees. Indeed, the ratio employees of such of female to male employees organization and a fair gender in the firm is 3:2. mix.

T

ž

gender Actively discourage workplace discrimination

What do you think Nigerian government can do to ensure the growth of small and medium size enterprises?

Undoubtedly, SMEs are the backbone of many world economies. According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, SMEs in Nigeria have contributed about 48% of the national GDP in the last five years. Several factors such as vulnerability to economic shocks, instability, lack of supportive policy environment, excessive regulation, complex and cumbersome tax policies have been some of the problems that SMEs encounter.

owners.

How will you advise prospective investors interested in investing in the Nigerian economy whether direct or portfolio investment?

Prospective investors that intend to invest in the Nigerian economy either through direct or portfolio investment must ensure that they are able to navigate the evolving legal and regulatory terrain. It is pertinent to state that capital repatriation is guaranteed under Nigerian law, subject of course to the payment of applicable taxes.

With respect to direct investments, Nigerian law requires foreign companies seeking to carry on business in Nigeria to register a company in Nigeria, subject to limited However, the Government has exceptions where registration been taking several laudable may not be required. The type steps to ensure the growth of company to be registered, and stability of SMEs. For and other related example, the Finance Act, considerations will depend on 2020, (passed a few months the nature of the business and ago), now provides for some whether the specific sector the tax reliefs for SMEs. Also, the business intends to operate in Central Bank of Nigeria is is regulated or unregulated. constantly rolling out Where regulated, applicable schemes, funds, and special licenses and permits will also loan packages which are be required to be procured favorable to SMEs; from the relevant agency and particularly in the aftermath the National Investment of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Promotion Commission Does your law firm has any gender For this reason, I will first and (“NIPC”) even if unregulated. equality principle and how does foremost advise them to focus Recently, the Corporate the firm ensure fairness and on recruiting the best hands to inclusion: Affairs Commission created a Furthermore, where capital is their team. Once this hurdle new portal for both pre and imported into the country by has been crossed, I will also The firm does not have a post incorporation services way of equity, debt, cash or advise the following: particular gender equality which promises to make goods, it is advisable to obtain principle although we services more efficient, but is a Certificate of Capital ž Encouragement of active are guided by Goal 5 of the currently below par in terms Importation (CCI) which is female participation in United Nations Envision 2030 of efficiency and timely issued by a Nigerian leadership and decision on gender equality which delivery of services and this Commercial bank. A CCI making as it is not in doubt proposes to end all forms of may erode the confidence that enables the beneficiary to that diversity is a plus to discrimination against all should be reposed in business repatriate its capital through every organization which women and girls everywhere can be harnessed to the and eliminate all forms of With respect to portfolio investments, which organizations benefit. violence against all women are shorter term investments, a clear ž Promotion of staff as and and girls in the public and when due regardless of the understanding of the capital market working private spheres. with brokers, other financial advisers and gender. legal advisers; as well as a clear funds As I mentioned earlier, while ž Ensuring equal pay for all repatriation strategy are key. employees regardless of we are a client focused firm, www.esq-law.com

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Whilst there may always be a need for oil, it is imperative for us to begin to expand our technological ecosystem.Take for example, following the pandemic, several digital platforms such as the FAANGS (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google), BATS (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent), Uber, eBay and Spotify have provided mechanisms whereby business activities are organized around themselves with several users interacting through the platform. This has had the effect of triggering the global oil and gas price market. the official market, with typically lower exchange rates.

legal advisers; as well as a clear funds repatriation strategy are key.

to comply with, although this can be ameliorated by working with and through local custodians. Nevertheless, this requirement must also be borne in mind in deciding to invest by way of portfolio investment. The BVN can however be obtained at specific offshore locations approved by the CBN. The global oil and gas market has recently faced a lot of ups and downs. Innovation has threatened the use of oil. What do you think Nigeria should start looking at in the coming years?

Indeed, there has been a clamor for the diversification With respect to portfolio I am also aware that FPIs have of the Nigerian economy to investments, which are shorter found the requirement to have alternative sectors such as term investments, a clear Bank Verification Numbers as agriculture taxation, understanding of the capital required by the CBN and the manufacturing and most market working with brokers, SEC, with a corresponding importantly, technology. This other financial advisers and bank account, rather difficult is because the country cannot 46 | Esq Legal Practice

continue to rely on the oil and gas sector particularly in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and even further in recent months.

Whilst there may always be a need for oil, it is imperative for us to begin to expand our technological ecosystem.

Take for example, following the pandemic, several digital platforms such as the FAANGS (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google), BATS (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent), Uber, eBay and Spotify have provided mechanisms whereby business activities are organized around themselves with several users interacting through the platform. This has had the effect of triggering the global oil and gas price market. www.esq-law.com

regulating the digital lending businesses in Nigeria and what should clients do when wrongly treated by these companies?

As far as I am aware, many digital money lending businesses operate within the confines of the law although I agree that there are some who do not . In Nigeria, there are several legislations that regulate digital lending businesses in Nigeria. These include: The Criminal Laws of the Various States The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation Act The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (Cybercrimes Act) The Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 To this end, it is now more cryptocurrencies. As you may not augur well for the The Money Laundering important than ever for the financial markets and is be aware, the SEC had in its (Prohibition) Act 2011 Nigerian Government to give Statement on Digital Assets bound to create apprehension The Risk-Based Cyber the promotion of the and their Classification and in the market. Interestingly, Security Framework 2019 (The technological sector more Treatment published on this is not uncommon with the Risk Based Cyber Security priority as people and September 14, 2020, stated that Nigerian government and Framework and Guidelines businesses rely more heavily virtual crypto assets are such behavior is a red flag for 2018 for Deposit Money Banks on it to operate. securities, unless proven foreign investors who expect and Payment Service otherwise. Following the ban and rely on a consistent policy Providers) Recently, CBN declared on cryptocurrency, the SEC framework in making cryptocurrencies illegal despite released an official statement investment decisions.

Where any person feels he/she the earlier action of SEC on February 11, 2021, to put has been wrongly treated, recognizing it. What is your on hold its regulatory review However, it is not too late for they have a constitutionally opinion and how does this affect the government to take a on cryptocurrency. foreign investments in Nigeria? guaranteed right to approach unified position in respect of the courts to seek redress.

I would have expected the the regulation or even a ban It is curious that the Central They may also approach the CBN and the SEC to work on cryptocurrencies to ensure Consumer Protection Council, Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”) closely in effectively that there is certainty on the prohibited banks and other where appropriate. regulating cryptocurrencies as subject. financial institutions from eventually advised by the Vice dealing in cryptocurrencies Recently a lot of digital money President of Nigeria. and facilitating payment for lending businesses have risen cryptocurrency exchanges at a in the country. Some of these Such inconsistencies from the time the Securities and businesses have operated in regulators within a broadly Exchange Commission ways that are contrary to the similar or at least (“SEC”) was putting in place a law. Are there any laws complementary space does framework to regulate www.esq-law.com

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Travel

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Antalya Written by Jess Lee

Antalya offers plenty of things to do for everyone. If you want to do sightseeing, you'll find a fascinating line-up of tourist attractions to keep you busy. The labyrinthine old town is full of atmospheric historic sites, while the city is perfectly placed to act as your base for sightseeing around the outlying area, where dozens of grand ruins await.

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Old Town (Kaleiçi)

I

t's not all history, though.

This city is also a great spot for your launch onto the white-sand beaches of Turkey's Turquoise Coast.

Beach lovers and history buffs will both leave satisfied. Plan your trip with our list of the top tourist attractions in Antalya.

Old Town (Kaleiçi)

Sokak, you'll find the graceful Kesik Minare (truncated minaret). Destroyed by fire in the 19th century, this is all that is left of a building that started its life as a Roman temple, was converted into a Byzantine church, and finally became a mosque.

Old Harbor

Nestled into a recess in the The maze-like Kaleiçi cliffs, Antalya's old harbor is a neighborhood was made for picturesque huddle of strolling. Perfectly restored boutiques, pretty cafés, whitewashed and red-roofed bazaars, and gently bobbing Ottoman mansions line the yachts that look out over the cobblestone streets, now home shimmering Mediterranean. to a plethora of boutique With its peaceful pleasurehotels, souvenir shops, art boat atmosphere now, it's difficult to imagine this place galleries, and restaurants. was once Antalya's major Although it's more a place to economic hub, but from the simply breathe in the oldworld ambience, there are also 2nd century up until the midplenty of small tourist 20th century, this was the attractions for those who want main port, bringing trade and to sightsee. prosperity to the city and surrounding region.

The main square (Kale Kapisi) has a fortress gate and stone- These days, you come here to shop and then watch the sun clad clock tower, while the set over the sea while you sip 18th-century Tekeli Mehmet a coffee, or you can head out Pasa Mosque is worth a look onto the Mediterranean on just for its stunning interior one of the many excursion tile work. Along Hesapçi www.esq-law.com

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boats to swim, sightsee, and spread out your towel on an empty beach.

Antalya Museum If you're at all interested in Turkish history, don't miss this excellent museum. The dazzling exhibits here showcase all the best finds from excavation sites across the Turkish coast. Even better, the collection is displayed in exemplary fashion, making Turkey's rich (and rather complicated) history easy to understand. The large archaeological section offers displays from the Bronze Age to Byzantium, with a particular emphasis on ruins

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in the nearby area.

octagonal drum bearing the fluted shaft, with its corbelled If you're short on time, make a gallery around the top. The attached 14th-century mosque beeline for the galleries is still in use today. The containing the mosaics from Seleukeia, silver hoard display minaret is right beside the from Aspendos, and divinity Kale entrance gate into the old city. statues from Perge.

Official site: www.antalyaws.com/english/museum

Opposite the minaret is Antalya's Ottoman-era clock tower, while nearby are some tombs dating from the 14th century.

town walls on the eastern side of the old town have been Yivli Minare preserved, and Hadrian's Gate is the most notable of these Antalya's most distinctive sections. Erected in honor of landmark is the Yivli Minare Hadrian's Gate the AD 130 visit by Emperor (fluted minaret), built by the Hadrian himself, this Hadrian's Gate is one of the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin imposing three-arched marble main (and the most dramatic) gateway, flanked by imposing Keykubad (1219-36). The minaret is a typical example of entrance gates into the Kaleiçi towers, is decorated with rich district. Considerable stretches sculptural decorations. As you Seljuk architecture, with a square base surmounted by an of the Hellenistic and Roman

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below. Now it's a fantastic spot to watch the sunset or get that all-important panoramic view over the old harbor area.

day trip to Aspendos, about 47 kilometers east. This archaeological site is home to a Roman theater commonly thought to be the best preserved in the world and The park itself is prime one of the top tourist picnicking territory and a Roman Fortress (Hidirlik tranquil, flower-filled spot to attractions in Turkey. The Kalesi) escape the city streets. Do as glory days of this dazzling, the locals do and come here at ancient town were during the Built in the 2nd century, this dusk to promenade. Excellent 2nd and 3rd centuries, when squat 14-meter-high most of the ruins that can be cafés are also nearby if you cylindrical tower watches over need to recuperate after seen today were built. the old harbor from high Apart from the theater, which sightseeing. above on the edge of has been fully restored and Karaalioglu Park. No one is Aspendos can seat 15,000 people, much quite sure what its main of the rest of the site still lies function was, but most agree Aspendos in ruins and is probably only it acted as a watchtower or The main reason history buffs interesting to the most lighthouse over the busy port visit Antalya is to make the enthusiastic sightseer. If walk through the arches, look up at the ceiling to view the best preserved carvings.

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you're short of time but keen to pack in as many highlights of the Antalya region as you can, the Aspendos, Perge and Manavgat Waterfalls tour allows you to cover three of the most popular attractions all in one day. It includes tours of the Roman ruins of Aspendos and Perge, entrance to Aspendos and the waterfalls (which are near Side), lunch, and pickup and drop-off from your Antalya hotel.

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International Oil & Gas Arbitration 13 ‒ 16 December 2021

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EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF

REMOTE WORKERS FOR LAW FIRMS Written by Akinrefe Olufemi

Remote work is a working style that allows professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment. It is based on the concept that work does not need to be done in a specific place to be executed successfully.

I

t then follows that a remote worker will be seen as someone who is employed by a company, but works outside of a traditional office environment.

This could mean working from a local co-working space, from home, or in a city across the world. However, in this article, I will look into the effective management of remote workers for law firms.

Many hold the view that remote work, which can also be referred to as "working from home" came as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. I beg to differ that, many organisations and establishments have been practising the work-fromhome model for a long time www.esq-law.com

even before the pandemic. As a matter of fact, Upwork which is a freelancing platform that allows employers to engage employees remotely from any part of the world was established in 2015, this was 4 years before the pandemic.

The same goes for Fiverr which was established in 2010, which was approximately 10 years before the pandemic.

Which goes without saying that the pandemic didn’t bring about the invention of the work model but merely make us seethe reasons and necessity to adopt the remote work model.

Since the pandemic, remote work becomes more popular and acceptable. Statistically,

Upwork has over eighteen million registered freelancers amongst which are lawyers and five million registered clients. Three million jobs worth over USD 1Bnis posted annually, making Upwork the largest freelancer marketplace in the world. That is not all, according to Smallbizgenius as of 2021 remote work statistics tell us that 18% of people work remotely fulltime. More than 4.3 million people in the USA work remotely, which is 3.2% of the entire workforce. Around 16% of companies hire only fulltime remote workers, but 44% of them still don't allow remote work at all. After the pandemic, many law firms have seen reasons to maintain the remote work model. The

new normal brought by the pandemic has pointed to us the reasons to adopt the remote work model, in words of Indranil Roy: Executive Director, Human Capital practice, Deloitte Consulting, he said:"We can accomplish most tasks remotely without a significant drop in productivity or quality."

Traditionally, the legal sector has been somewhat riskaverse in its attitude towards remote working. And due to the ethics and several regulations of the profession, it’s understandable. The nature of the legal practice doesn’t lend itself well to working from home. Because there’s the issue of data protection, then cybersecurity procedures need to be considered and client-lawyer confidentiality still needs to be honoured. Nevertheless, the pandemic had forced law firms into making it work.

Law firms have had to think Esq Legal Practice | 53

laterally and implement remote working policies to ensure the continuity of their You must deal professionally and with this comes business, their client characterhallmark of character for me is relationships, and their productivity.

In most cases, and integrity. Please let this adorn conscientiousness this has only been possible your practice like a badge of honour. In house counsels thanks to the variety are judged by oftheir last worst actions, not their good technologies that we have intentions or prior successes, but in all, your good access to today. As the legal character will stand you out. With this comes the running sector continues to embrace of a working, very approachable policy. This builds the confidence remote what are the of your clients to receive prompt legal advice without benefits lawyers and their law borders they can trust you with information to assist firms going toand enjoy?

with an honest feedback or prompt remedial actions

The benefits of adopting a remote work model for law firms can never be overemphasized, according to FlexJobs’ annual survey in 2019 65% of professionals think they would be more productive working remotely than in a traditional office, with 49% saying they go to their home or home office when they need to buckle down and get work done.

Remote workers typically have more time and fewer distractions, which leads to increased productivity—a huge benefit of working from home for both employees and employers alike. When done right, remote work allows employees and companies to focus on what matters—performance.

Unfortunately, the office environment can create “false positives” that can lead to bias and favouritism. After all, coming in early and leaving late may “look” like more work, but actual performance is a much better indicator of productivity. Furthermore, it reduces the cost for both employees and employers.

“Most employees appreciate flexibility, especially those with long commute times. Over time, however, face-to-face interaction is required to facilitate collaboration, build relationships, solve complex challenges and generate ideas. Continuous remote work extends the workday, diffuses work-life boundaries, and reduces mental wellbeing."

Over time, however, face-toHowever, we can't hide from face interaction is required to the fact that the work from the facilitate collaboration, build relationships, solve complex home model has its shortcomings, the flip side of challenges and generate ideas.

Continuous remote work adopting a remote work extends the workday, diffuses according to Indranil Roy is work-life boundaries, and that, reduces mental wellbeing."

"Most employees appreciate flexibility, especially those with long commute times.

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While Robin Dunbar: Emeritus Professor of

Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford posited that “First, the workplace is a social environment, and business in any form is a social phenomenon. Without face-to-face engagement, and those casual meetings round the coffee machine, the ‘flow’ that makes things work, and

work fast, will be missing.

Workgroups quickly lose focus, and the sense of belonging – and of commitment to the organisation and its aims and objectives – is very quickly lost.”

We will need to seek ways whereby we can build effective management of www.esq-law.com

“First, the workplace is a social environment, and business in any form is a social phenomenon.

Without face-to-face engagement, and those casual meetings round the coffee machine, the ‘flow’ that makes things work, and work fast, will be missing. Workgroups quickly lose focus, and the sense of belonging – and of commitment to the organisation and its aims and objectives – is very quickly lost.” remote workers and a remote work system in law firms.

Firstly, owing to the nature of the legal practice, adopting a remote work model will be detrimental to young lawyers, because the culture of mentoring by senior lawyers in the law firm will be lost, hence, law firms should create a hybrid system whereby, workers shuffle between remote work and physical presence at the office. For example, lawyers can work three days from home and two days at the office.

Furthermore, there should be an all-inclusive work from home policy, which will be signed by both employer and employee at the law firm. A Work from Home Policy is an agreement between employer and employee that clearly defines the expectations and responsibilities for employees who work from home. Some of the content of the policy should be the reinforcement of NDA for lawyers, it should provide guidance on timekeeping for hourly employees of work i.e it must stipulate the total number of time an employee is supposed to work per day, it must also contain attendance and availability standards among www.esq-law.com

others.

face to face interaction, it means we have to look for technological ways to breach the communication barrier.

Hence, the law firm adopting a work from home model will equally need to design a communication strategy around certain communication channels.

Examples of such channels are: Slack for rapid, lightweight, informal communication, and as a second touch for timely announcements.

Email for longer communications, team-wide announcements, briefs, agreements, instruments etc.

Nextiva, zoom and google meeting for meetings. monday.com (or other project management software) for project management and online collaboration.

Assembly for employee recognition and remote employee engagement.

Company intranet for frequently asked questions, company policies, and HR resources.

Trello for assigning tasks to the team workers.

Also, lawyers should be trained on how to use various communication technology, especially the internet and various legal techs to aid research. According to Cyber Guide technologies every business is at risk of a cyberattack. In 2017, cyber attacks on organisations cost the UK economy £10 billion, with seven out of ten companies falling victim to a cyber-attack or breach. What does this mean to a law firm? Especially where workers are now required to work from home which means there will be less physical supervision on how workers use the internet.

Because cybersecurity has a lot to do with the person using the software. In other to protect the confidentiality of our clients, lawyers must be given Cybersecurity awareness training. When an enterprise’s employees are cybersecurity aware, it means they understand what cyber threats are, the potential impact a cyber-attack will have on their business and the steps required to reduce risk and prevent cyber-crime infiltrating their online Similarly, there should be workspace. provision for legal research aids such as law pavilion Furthermore, Since there is no

subscription for all workers in the law firm, a consistent data subscription and access to several legal drafts.

Ultimately, proper management is needed for effective work from home model, a lot of work rests on the law firm manager. A manager should endeavour to call the employees daily, either independently or as a team. According to Havard law review, “ in the context of an abrupt shift to remote work, it is important for managers to acknowledge stress, listen to employees’ anxieties and concerns, and empathize with their struggles. If a newly remote employee is clearly struggling but not communicating stress or anxiety, ask them how they’re doing. Even a general question such as “How is this remote work situation working out for you so far?”

Employers should be reminded at every slight opportunity of the mission and vision of the firm and need to stay committed to the same. Lawyers should also be advised on the benefits of proper exercise of the body.

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THE TRAJECTORY OFNIGERIAN

W MEN IN AW

In more recent times, the work of women in the development of the world is being noticed and celebrated. Many women are rising to the peak of their career unlike in the past where women were restricted from certain leadership roles. It is now clear that many organisations in the world are now looking into the way to remove gender bias and allow qualified women take up leadership roles.

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I

t is now clear that many organisations in the world are now looking into the way to remove gender bias and allow qualified women take up leadership roles. Of great mention is the election of Kamala Harris as the first female, First African American, and First AsianAmerican vice-president of the United States of America after the 2020 US elections.

Also, on the 15th of February, 2021, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala was appointed as the first female Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. These achievements did not come to the female gender without great work by women who started the emancipation of gender equality by blazing the trail in their different fields of endeavour.

discrimination in the early days of the profession and displayed their intelligence proving to the world that intelligence is not determined by gender. These entered a profession once considered as a male profession and changed the narrative. We will endeavour to take a cursory look at some of the female trailblazers in the legal profession.

College and entered the Inner Temple, where he was called to the English bar on November 17, 1879. Kitoyi Ajasa, Joseph Egerton Shyngle, and others all received their legal education at the Inner Temple and were While English-style legal later called to the English Bar. practice existed in Nigeria as At the Temples, their female early as the late 1800s, it was counterparts went through the dominated by men like Christopher Alexander Sapara same training phase. Stella Jane Marke's arrival in Nigeria Williams, Joseph Egerton was, without a doubt, a first.

Shyngle, Kitoyi Ajasa, The Historical Overview Of Women Eusebius James Taylor, Steven Her entry into the profession Into The Legal Profession In has sounded the death knell Beresford Bankole Rhodes, Nigeria Eric Olawolu Moore, Ayodele for male chauvinism.

Williams, and others. These The early years of the legal In November 1935, in the men received the same profession were dominated by midst of a discriminatory training as their female men who were allowed to atmosphere where women counterparts. Christopher study law. The legal culture were forced to play second Alexander Sapara Williams, was purely male-dominated for example, studied at Wesley fiddle to men, the first and it appeared as if women College in Sheffield for about Nigerian female lawyer were barred from the noble appeared. Miss Stella Jane a year. However, after his profession. Most women took father died in 1876, he left the Thomas (later Mrs. Marke) to Teaching and nursing as their occupations and some It is therefore important to became prominent from these. According to Folake Solanke SAN, the celebrate the work of the Apart from the lack of a stereotype then was that law was a women who went ahead in degree-granting institution in masculine job while teaching, secretarial time to clear the road for other Nigeria, the University work, and nursing were considered women. In the legal College, Ibadan, which was feminine jobs that women could easily profession, some women established in 1948, did not handle. stood out of the

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offer Law as a course; therefore, even the male lawyers who dominated the profession in colonial Nigeria received their education abroad.

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In some families, women were also permitted to work as housemaids, sewing mistresses, and petty traders, while men were permitted to work as judges, physicians, scholars, and engineers. Some parents refused to send their female children to school during this period because it was thought that a woman's education should begin and end in the kitchen. was her name.

lawyer. She was not only Nigeria's first female judge, but also in all of Africa.

another three years. Since the pioneering work of Stella Jane According to Folake Solanke Thomas in 1935, only one SAN, the stereotype then was female lawyer has been that law was a masculine job For over 12 years, Stella Jane created in each of the years while teaching, secretarial Marke's enviable status 1935, 1947, 1949, and 1952. work, and nursing were among Nigerian female Three female lawyers were considered feminine jobs that lawyers was not challenged produced in 1953, and another women could easily handle. In until Modupe Alakija (later three in 1956. Just ten female some families, women were lawyers had trained in Nigeria Mrs. Renner) entered the also permitted to work as scene in 1947, and became prior to 1956, according to housemaids, sewing Oputa, out of over three Nigeria's second female mistresses, and petty traders, lawyer. Adebisi Adedoyin hundred lawyers in the while men were permitted to (later Mrs. Adebiyi) was called country at the time. This work as judges, physicians, to the English bar two years demonstrates the rarity of scholars, and engineers. Some later, bringing the total these women's hard work and parents refused to send their number of female lawyers in dedication to excel in a terrain female children to school Nigeria to nine in 1949. Gloria that is almost foreign to the during this period because it society and traditions of the Rhodes (later Mrs Jackman) was thought that a woman's time. However, it was did not join the league of education should begin and discovered that an average of Nigerian female lawyers for end in the kitchen.

two Nigerians were enrolled in the legal profession in the 1930s, with the number steadily increasing from the 1940s. This explains why the first group of female lawyers registered in such small numbers.

In the annals of Nigerian legal practice, 1953 was a one-of-akind year. This was due to the fact that three women who went on to make significant contributions to Nigerian culture were called to the bar this year. Kafayat Abimbola Augusto (later Mrs. Bakare) was admitted to the bar in February 1953, followed by Modupe Akingbein (later Justice Modupe Omo-Eboh) in March 1953, and Jayeiola Aduke Alakija in November of the same year. Despite the fact that females were few in comparison to their male counterparts, the reality is that

Although there were some parents who wished their daughters could become educated as a lawyer, however, the prevalent view of law was most likely influenced by the practices of certain lawyers who participated in questionable relations with their clients. ‘The Lawyer is a gentleman who secures your estate from your enemies and keeps it to himself,' Lord Brougham once said (Lagos Daily News, 1929).

This can't help but be a factor in a woman's career decision.

Despite the unethical behavior of some male attorneys, Stella Jane Marke defied the odds to become Nigeria's first female

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The list and year of call of some female lawyers between 1935 and 1960.

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Name Stella Thomas Modupe Alakija Princess Adebisi Adedoyin Gloria Rhodes Kafayat Abimbola Augusto Modupe Akingbein Jayeiola Aduke Alakija Martina Efunyemi Akerele Christianah Osibodu Atandare Beatrice Olukemi Abimbola Aina Da Rocha Remilekun Braithwaite Muyinat Olabisi Dawodu Atinuke Oloko Modupe Maja Ajibola Olubunmi Adelowo Odujirin Olufunmlayo Olabisi Onalaja Moronikeji Omotayo Femi-Pearse Obafunke Folasade Akintade Sydney Aderinola

Year 1935 1947 1949 1952 1953 1953 1953 1956 1956 1956 1959 1959 1959 1959 1959 1959 1960 1960 1960 1960

Source: Gani Fawehini, Bench and Bar in Nigeria, Lagos: Nigerian Law Publications LTD

women were steadily breaking into what seemed to be a male-dominated career.

In the courtroom and in the public service, women could now contend with their male counterparts. This was also the period when Nigerians were being appointed to senior positions in government departments. As a result, the previously strong resistance to women participating in public relations was steadily fading.

Cultural Challenges that Characterized Women Emergence in the Legal Profession Owing to the difficulties that faced the female child at the time, women in the legal profession rode on a camel's back between 1935 and 1960.

The most influential at the time was the cultural inhibition that kept women at home and prevented them from becoming pillars of society, setting the rate of change well outside the legal profession's compass. In several respects, legal culture is a purely male domain from which women have been removed. This was due to the fact that a lawyer's prototype

and picture is an individual.

The unseemly number of women in the profession is due to social understanding and cultural bias that a woman's responsibility is in the management of the home and the production of children, especially during the colonial and post-colonial periods. These beliefs, among others, led to the low number of women practicing law at the time. Women are only allowed to be seen, not heard, according to tradition. Women observe and engage in local politics among the Yorubas, for example, but when their views vary from those of the men, they are treated as unimportant in important decisions. They were not supposed to rise to prominence; rather, they were expected to be fully obedient to their husbands' dos and don'ts, living at their mercy.

As previously stated, there was a significant educational divide between men and women. Reading was not an easy job in those days.

However, men continued to have an advantage over women because many parents were hesitant to spend their

Despite the barbaric existence of these cultural and religious obstacles, which stymied the advancement of women's education in most of our societies, the issue persisted. It is proposed that if women are to be liberated, we must begin in our own homes because charity begins at home.

As a result, the government should step up its enlightenment drive by educating religious and traditional leaders, which will help to improve women's conditions.

Beginning in 1935, the legal profession started to change, including the inclusion of women. Women lawyers gradually became a major part of the landscape as certain socio-cultural stereotypes faded, and the profession underwent dramatic and modern changes. www.esq-law.com

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hard-earned money on their daughters because they would soon drop their maiden names in favor of their husbands, and thus end their careers in the kitchen. If necessary, the same parents could sell their homes to send their sons overseas for a good education.

Some parents mistakenly believe that schooling can drive girls insane, causing them to become uncontrollable when dealing with people of the opposite gender. Giving girls away in marriage at a young age was one thing that hampered their progress up the socioeconomic ladder. Purdah dwellers were, and continue to be, at a disadvantage. In short, women were yoked by society and faith. Parents started to send their daughters to school after it became apparent that female education was essential to provide good opportunities for women.

of these cultural and religious obstacles, which stymied the advancement of women's education in most of our societies, the issue persisted. It is proposed that if women are to be liberated, we must begin in our own homes because charity begins at home.

As a result, the government should step up its enlightenment drive by educating religious and traditional leaders, which will help to improve women's conditions. Beginning in 1935, the legal profession started to change, including the inclusion of women. Women lawyers gradually became a major part of the landscape as certain socio-cultural stereotypes faded, and the profession underwent dramatic and modern changes.

Although the presence of females was noted, their activities were restricted. At the time of their admission, Women were steered into their numerical advancement traditional jobs like farming, did not yield much in terms of carving, weaving, dyeing, and influence or opportunities, and they were either working trading at the start of the colonial administration, and as office clerks or secretaries their opportunities for higher of lower courts. Despite their education and skill training small number and the positive were restricted. Many were outcomes of their education, restricted to low-value women in the legal profession have disproved the notion that activities, devoting much of modern professions should be their time and resources to activities that aided household reserved for men. consumption rather than capital accumulation and job Furthermore, at the start of the satisfaction. career, no university in Nigeria offered the course.

Despite the barbaric existence The first lawyers were trained

Women were steered into traditional jobs like farming, carving, weaving, dyeing, and trading at the start of the colonial administration, and their opportunities for higher education and skill training were restricted. Many were restricted to lowvalue activities, devoting much of their time and resources to activities that aided household consumption rather than capital accumulation and job satisfaction.

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in the English legal system.

The lack of a university that offered a law degree was therefore partially to blame for the small number of female lawyers on the eve of Nigeria's independence. It was also the age of the three-year tutorial at the Inns of Court in England, which led to the title of Barrister-at-Law. This was due to Nigeria's historical links to the United Kingdom, and her legal education is based on the British system.

Prior to the establishment of the Nigerian Law School, a call to the English Bar or admission as a Solicitor in England was needed for a call to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor by the Nigerian Supreme Court.

Gloria Jackman were the first two women to create a joint chamber on their own, it was assumed that they lacked the necessary expertise to run one.

As a result, Jaiyeola Aduke Alakija enlisted the help of a male to run the chamber.

Furthermore, women were present during this period, but since law is such a diverse occupation, many women chose to pursue career establishment rather than legal practice. The explanation for this was that it was a difficult career to get into, and women had to compete with men to show that they could do what a man could. Women were often seen as "weaker" beings at the time, and the demands of the legal Furthermore, many female profession, such as finding lawyers had to work in either time to travel and attending their brother's or father's various and lengthy meetings chambers during those early at unholy hours, discouraged years. Perhaps this was due to them from fully participating. the common perception of The legal profession, which women as inferior to men, as was one of many open to well as the limited job educated elites in the preopportunities available to colonial and colonial periods women in Nigeria at the time. and which women were Stella Jane Marke, the first joining, needed time, female lawyer in Nigeria, Adewoye, and the idea some worked in the Chambers of people had at the time was her brother, Mr. E.P.J.A. that a woman should devote Thomas, the first Chief Justice and sacrifice her time for her of the former Mid-Western family.

State, which now includes the states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Another factor that stifled and Rivers. female involvement in the legal profession in the early According to Adewale, years was financial Jayeiola Aduke Alakija also constraints. From 1935 to the worked in the chambers of her colonial era, the income rate father, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, a was poor, even though, prominent lawyer. Despite relative to medicine or having received instruction engineering, legal training from prestigious institutions, was quicker to obtain and the many of them faced publicly profession itself was easier to practiced job discrimination develop. It was still easier for well into the 1970s. As a result, men to make money at the serving in a family law bar. Women entering malechamber was their only reserved occupations, such as choice. Despite this, few the legal profession, was chamber managers were self- considered anathema by those sufficient. Despite the fact that with these conventional Jaiyeola Aduke Alakija and attitudes. www.esq-law.com

In the annals of Nigerian legal practice, 1953 was a one-of-a-kind year. This is because three women who went on to make significant contributions to Nigerian culture were sentenced to prison this year. Kafayat Abimbola Augusto (later Mrs. Bakare) was admitted to the bar in February 1953, followed by Modupe Akingbein (later Justice Modupe Omo-Eboh) in March 1953, and Jayeiola Aduke Alakija in November of the same year. In 1956, Martina Efunyemi Akerele, Christianah Osibodu, and Atandare Beatrice Olukemi were also admitted to the bar. In 1959, Abimbola Aina Da Rocha, Remilekun Braithwaite, Muyinat Olabisi Dawodu, Atinuke Oloko, Modupe Maja, and Ajibola Olubunmi Adelowo were all called to the bar. In the year 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, these four women entered the league: Odujirin Olufunmlayo Olabisi, Onalaja Moronikeji Omotayo, Femi-Pearse Obafunke Folasade, and Akintade Sydney Aderinola.

Jane Thomas (later known as Mrs. Marke) became the first female lawyer in Nigeria.

Stella Jane Marke's success was undoubtedly a first in Nigeria, and she paved the way for more women to join the profession. In agreement, an interviewee said, "...the legal profession became competitive with the entry of women."

Stella Jane Marke's achievement exemplifies the lack of females in the legal profession in West Africa as a whole. It also demonstrates that women are underrepresented in technical fields. This, it turned out, was representative of colonial educational policies in general, which were not intended to prepare people for careers like law in the colonies. Meanwhile, Stella Jane Marke was known among her colleagues for her toughness, bravery, and steadfastness as the only Nigerian female lawyer at the time. (Interview with a female Nigerian Senior Advocate) Stella Jane Marke's enviable status as Nigeria's first female lawyer was not surpassed According to Omoniyi Adewoye, women’s entry into until 1947, twelve years later.

Modupe Alakija (later Mrs. the legal profession was historical. Despite the hostile Renner) was the country's second female prosecutor. environment, which was Two years later, Adebisi controlled by men, in Adedoyin (later Mrs. Adebiyi) November 1935, Miss Stella It's also worth noting that the first generation of male lawyers faced some difficulties. One was the irregularity of jobs, which only those who are familiar with English law might understand. There was no competent practicing lawyer in Lagos until August 1880, when Christopher Sapara Williams first appeared in the Supreme Court. Many male lawyers were even prohibited from practicing law due to the strict requirements of colonial times. For example, in 1876, the best qualification for practicing law in the Lagos Courts was admission to European Bars in the United Kingdom or Scotland, or that a prospective lawyer must have served for five years continuously in the office of a practicing barrister or solicitor residing within the Supreme Court's jurisdiction. As a result, the question of who qualified as "fit and proper persons" for the job arose, but women were able to resolve these obstacles as well.

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was called to the English bar, bringing the total number of female lawyers in Nigeria to three in 1949. Gloria Rhodes (later Mrs Jackman) had to wait another three years to join her Nigerian female lawyer colleagues. Since the pioneering work of Stella Jane Thomas in 1935, only one female lawyer has been created in each of the years 1935, 1947, 1949, and 1952.

Three were made in 1953, and three more were made in 1956.

Just ten female lawyers had trained in Nigeria prior to 1956, out of a total of over 300 lawyers at the time.

In the annals of Nigerian legal practice, 1953 was a one-of-akind year. This is because three women who went on to make significant contributions to Nigerian culture were sentenced to prison this year.

Kafayat Abimbola Augusto (later Mrs. Bakare) was admitted to the bar in February 1953, followed by Modupe Akingbein (later Justice Modupe Omo-Eboh) in March 1953, and Jayeiola

Aduke Alakija in November of the same year. In 1956, Martina Efunyemi Akerele, Christianah Osibodu, and Atandare Beatrice Olukemi were also admitted to the bar.

In 1959, Abimbola Aina Da Rocha, Remilekun Braithwaite, Muyinat Olabisi Dawodu, Atinuke Oloko, Modupe Maja, and Ajibola Olubunmi Adelowo were all called to the bar. In the year 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, these four women entered the league: Odujirin Olufunmlayo Olabisi, Onalaja Moronikeji Omotayo, Femi-Pearse Obafunke Folasade, and Akintade Sydney Aderinola.

Despite the inclusion of women in the legal profession in Nigeria, stereotypes persisted, and only a few clients trusted women lawyers. Many people were hesitant to hire them because they were thought to be unfit to appear in court. However, these pioneering female lawyers were adamant about getting their feet wet in the field. As explained by this interviewee: “...this was because practicing female lawyers were at a disadvantage because of their gender in the early days of the profession and afterwards.

Due to societal stereotypes, less people sought the services of female lawyers than male lawyers at the time.”

“...this was because practicing female lawyers were at a disadvantage because of their gender in the early days of the profession and afterwards. Due to societal stereotypes, less people sought the services of female lawyers than male lawyers at the time.”

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The Pioneers

W

e recognize and honour these women of outstanding excellence who made a difference by being the pioneer in their various positions.

This list is by no means exhaustive, however, we have selected these few to celebrate their laudable achievements.

Letʼs begin with the pioneer female lawyer Stella Thomas.

Stella Thomas Stella Thomas the First Female lawyer in Nigeria and in West Africa. She later became the first Nigerian female magistrate in 1943.

Stella was the first African woman to be called to the bar in Great Britain in 1933. She was the only African woman to participate in a discussion with Margery Perham at the Royal Society of Arts and she took the opportunity to criticize Lord Lugard and African colonialism before an influential audience.

She returned to Lagos, Nigeria in 1935 wherein she set up a law practice along Kakawa Street, Lagos Island. She worked on a wide range of legal matters including criminal cases and family issues and also worked with lawyers Alex E.J. Taylor and Eric Moore. She became the first female magistrate in 1943serving Ikeja Magistrate court with jurisdiction for Mushin, Agege and Ikorodu districts.

She retired in 1971 as a magistrate in Sierra Leone.

Her accomplishments were applauded with a feature in the Nigerian press and her achievements were celebrated by London-based West African Students Union.

Chief Olufolake Solanke Olufolake Solanke is the first Nigerian female lawyer to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

She was appointed as a Senior Counsel in 1981. She is a lawyer, administrator and social critic. She is widely known as the first female to wear the silk gown as a Senior Counsel. She is also the first Commissioner of Western State and is a former Chairperson of the Western Nigeria Television Broadcasting Corporation (WNTBC).

Being conferred a SAN is one of many notable achievements of the learned senior counsel. On the International scene, in 1994 she became the 42nd President of Zonta International (an international service organization that focus primarily on advancing the status of women) which made her the first non-Caucasian to be elected and to hold the position of Zonta International President since its founding in 1919. She opened the gates for African contestants as the next President after her turned out to be an African. She is also an avid writer and has written several papers and publications covering vast areas including law, women’s rights, Zonta and Christian topics.

She has received numerous award including the National honour of the Commander of the Order of Niger and the International Bar Association’s outstanding International women Lawyer Award at the Association’s 5th World Women Lawyer’s Conference held in London in 2012. She is being recognised for her professional excellence and immense contribution to the advancement of women within the legal profession.

The hardworking, brilliant and focused learned silk is considered truly an inspiration and role model to everyone particularly women in the legal sector. She is being described as the ‘Lady of many firsts’ in her autobiography which was published in 2007.

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Modupe Omo-Eboh Modupe Omo-Eboh was Nigerian’s first female judge.

The Lagos born lawyer and jurist was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1953. She worked at as a lawyer, Magistrate, Chief Magistrate, Administrator-General and Public Trustee, Director of Public Prosecutions and Acting Solicitor-general.

She became a judge in 1969 to the Lagos Judiciary and she was the first woman to be appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Nigeria. Her achievements and lifetime has also being celebrated in various ways and aspects.

A Street in Lagos was named after her sequel to her demise in 2002.

Victoria Uzoamaka Onejeme Victoria Onejeme was the first Nigerian woman to become an Attorney General.

She was called to bar in 1965 and assumed the role of attorney general in 1976.

In 1976 she was sworn in as the Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State.

Aloma Mariam Mukhtar Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar is the first Nigeria female Chief Justice of Nigeria. She was called to the English Bar in November 1966 and later to the Nigerian Bar in 1967. She was sworn in as the 13th indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria and conferred on her the Nigerian National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

She began her legal career in 1967 as a Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Northern Nigeria and rose through ranks. She became the Chief Registrar, Kano State Government Judiciary 1973 and rose to the Judge of the High Court of Kano State in 1977.

In 1987, she was appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal Nigeria, Ibadan division and then in 2005 she was appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She also served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia from 2011 – 2012.

She became the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2012.

Justice Aloma Miriam Mukhtar is also known for many first as she is recorded to be the first female lawyer from Northern Nigeria and the first female judge of the High Court of Kano State Judiciary. She is also the first female justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

She has also been awarded with several awards in the course of her career. Prior to be awarded the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, she received a Gold Merit Award for her contribution in the development of law in Kano State and was also inducted into the Nigerian Hall of Fame in 2005.

Stella Ugboma OON Mrs. Stella Ugboma is a seasoned and experienced legal Practitioner with extensive experience spanning over 50 years.She joined FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) in 1971 and has served in various capacities in FIDA including: Country Vice President , Director FIDA International,Country Member/Representative FIDA at the United Nations Vienna/Austria, Secretary of FIDA International, Former President of FIDA International,presently FIDA UN Representative.

She eventually rose to become FIDA's first African president.Mrs. Stella Ugboma is also the immediate past principal of Imadojemu Solicitors based in Lagos, Nigeria, the immediate past principal of Augustine Akugbe Egharevba Esq. and the immediate past International President of FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) worldwide.

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The Pioneers Roseline Ukeje Justice Roseline Ukeje is the First Female Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

She was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court in 1986 and served as Chief Judge from 2001 until 2008. She is also on the Board of Editorial Advisers, the Gravitas Review of Business & Property Law. Not many knew her until 1995 when in her capacity as Chairman of one of the failed bank tribunal; she delivered a controversial landmark judgment that irked some people in government. The action was described as a demonstration of her personality which translates to strong-will, independent minded and commitment to tenets of her profession.

In 2007 during her tenure as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, she campaigned for the appointment of more judges to de-congest the court of pending cases and in effect, decongest the prisons. It was during her tenure that the Federal High Court division was increased from 13 to 27 divisions with over 50 judges spread across the divisions.

She was also known for her April 2007 decision where she ruled that the Nigerian General election 2007 could go ahead despite the death of candidate Adebayo Adefarati.

Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa is the first female to become the President of the Nigerian Courts of Appeal. She was called to the Bar in 1976 and was appointed to the bench of the Nigerian Courts of Appeals as a Justice in 1998. Prior to her he appointment she was a judge at the High Court of Bauchi State wherein she presided over a lot of prominent cases including the Sokoto State governorship electon petition of 2007 and the suit which Timipre Sylva’s petition challenged the nomination of Seriake Dickson as the State flag-bearer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. The latter case was however dismissed by the Supreme Court.

She was appointed as the President of the Nigerian Court of Appeals by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and sworn-in by Aloma Mariam Mukhtar the former Chief Justice of Nigeria and the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Recently, she made the waves when she excused herself from the Presidential Election Tribunal which sat in respect to the 2019 Presidential elections due to the concerns of the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar stating that her husband belonged to the opposition party APC. She retired in 2020 having served for 45 years in the judiciary and five years as the president of the Court of Appeals.

She is described as having set the pace and opened the doors for other female lawyers and judges. This was reflected as her successor as the president of the Court of Appeal is the female learned jurist Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.

Hairat Balogun Hairat Balogun is a Life-Bencher, and was the first female Chairman of the Body of Benchers.

She was also the first female member of the council of the International Bar Association.

She is a Life Member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

She was made Officer of the Order of Niger for services rendered to the Nigerian legal profession.

In 2011 she published her legal memoirs In 2012 she became the first female president of the Rotary Club of Lagos, and held the presidency until 2013. In 2016 she was recognized with an award in the Nigerian Legal Awards (NLA).

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Monica Dongban-Mensem Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem is the current President of the Court of Appeal and the 2nd female President after the retirement of Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa. She was appointed as the acting president of the Court of Appeal and her appointment was confirmed on 11th June 2020.

She is the founder of Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) a road safety Organization following the death of her son Samson Kwapda’as Dongban who died in a road accident. She was seen in a video controlling traffic and later explaining the trauma and pain she went through during that period and her resolve to make the roads better and safer for other citizens.

She served as a Deputy Chief Registrar Superior Courts and Protocol Affairs from 1990-1993 and was later appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Justice Plateau Judiciary from 19931996. In 1997 she transferred her service in the FCT judiciary where served until 2003 when she was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Until her recent position, she was the presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, and Life Member of Body of Benchers.

Boma Alabi SAN Boma Ozobia is the senior partner at the law firm Sterling Partnership in Nigeria, having previously been a partner at its London office. She made legal history in February 2011 when she was elected as the first female President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in Hyderabad, India.

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association represents lawyers from all 54 Commonwealth countries as well as Law Societies and Bar Associations from the Commonwealth.

Previously, in 2005, she achieved a similar first, when she became the national Chair of the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS), the first person of ethnic minority origin to hold this position since the AWS was established 83 years earlier.

The national AWS is now part of the Law Society Women's Division.

The list of women trailblazers in law is not exhaustive. We have the likes of Ada Kepley who became the first woman to graduate from law school in the United States. She graduated from Chicago University Law School; Charlotte E. Ray the first African-American female lawyer in the United States.

We also have Clara Hapgood Nash the first woman admitted to the bar in New England.

The above-highlighted achievements of these amazing women were not made without challenges flowing from the fact that the legal profession features gender inequality.

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The patriarchal nature of most Nigerian Societies is the major challenge that acknowledges the mortification and subjugation of women. It is not surprising that members of the legal profession are referred to as “gentlemen of the Bar”.

However, the number of women in the legal profession increased with time even though their overall progression was not in proportion with their number.

Despite the mass entry of women into the legal profession in Nigeria, most especially in the postindependence era, their numerical adjustment did not make much difference in the aspect of access to power and

opportunities within the profession but in all ramifications, female lawyers excelled beyond all expectations.

Nigeria produced its second female lawyer Modupe Alakija. As at 1956, only ten female lawyers were qualified to practice in Nigeria amidst over three hundred lawyers in The legal profession during the country at that period. the colonial era in Nigeria was This shows the rarity of hard dominated by men who had work and determination of the opportunity to study law. these women to succeed in a The legal culture is a profession that is almost alien quintessentially male world to the culture and practices of from which women were that period. excluded. Women were only prominent in professions like Some families went as far as teaching and nursing. It was engaging their female children during the midst of the in menial jobs as housemaids, prevailing discriminatory sewing mistresses, and petty environment in which women traders while the male was were expected to play second trained to become doctors, fiddle to men there emerged engineers, lawyers, scientists, the first Nigeria female lawyer and other professional Miss Stella Jane Thomas in vocations.

1935. It was not until 1947 that Esq Legal Practice | 65

Social perception and cultural bias contributed to the unseemly number of women in the profession. But the narrative has changed as women all over the world have proven to be outstanding in their various fields of work.

The emergence of radical feminism has also contributed greatly to change the cultural narrative of women in the world. Radical feminism is one of the several strands of feminism that maintains that women’s oppression is the first most widespread and deepest oppression ever experienced by mankind.

Taking a global perspective, many articles have been published about the small number of women who go on to practice in law firms.

Studies have also revealed that despite the 50:50 female to male ratio in law schools, only about 27% of women are currently working in firms in the US. Also, at the Managerial and partnership levels, there are even fewer women, with only 5% of them reaching the level of partner.

There is also the issue of the gender pay gap where a man is likely to earn more than a lady with the same academic and professional qualities.

These types of stereotypes are sadly still in existence in relation to work-life balance.

profession of today, it is commendable at the number of women lawyers we have today. It is also refreshing and mind settling at the level of acceptance the world has in respect to women in the professional atmosphere.

It is therefore proper to say that women have accomplished a great feat and have broken free of the stereotype that places women as second class citizens in The rationale behind the large whatever field or position they find themselves in. This number of women in the explains why women are often judiciary and the corporate celebrated on whatever sector might be that this accomplishment they make. aspect of the profession provides more consistent They are known to advocate working hours and financial returns when compared to the for women’s rights and work schedule of a lawyer in equality amongst all genders.

Undeniably this has led to private practice. significant growth of women's Narrowing down to Nigeria, Women have also proven that similar situations are also participation in nationthey deserve the opportunity building. It has paved the way encountered. This has led to a they are being granted as for women to become leaders sizeable number of female majority of them strive for lawyers making a switch to and role models climbing to excellence in whatever the corporate sector as legal greater heights. position they hold. advisers and company Looking at the legal secretaries. In this area, we acknowledge those who reached the heights long ago such as Chief Mrs. Yomi Balogun, Former Secretary of UACN, Mrs. Lande Fadipe, former Company Secretary of Royal Exchange Assurance Plc, Chief Sena Anthony, Coordinator and General Manager, Corporate and Legal Division/Secretary to the Corporation at NNPC.

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Wikipedia, “Stella Thomas;” accessed on 25th February 2021 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stella_Thomas Akaraogun OLu , “Memoirs of Stella Thomas, Our Pioneer Lady Barrister” Spear Magazine, June 1966.

Emeka Keazor “Notable Nigerian: Stella Thomas” NSIBIDI Institute November 2014 DNL Partners, “Women who blazed the legal trail in Nigeria” accessed on 25th February 2021 from https://www.dnlpartners.com/women-blazed-legal-trail-nigeria/.

Hallmarks of Labour “Chief Folake Solanke, SAN HLR, Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award” accessed on 25th February 2021from https://halmarksoflabour.org/citations/chief-folake-solanke-san-hlr/ Folake Solanke “Reaching for the stars; the autobiography of Folanke Solanke” Book Builders Editions Africa, 2007 Ike Uko; “Nigeria; Celebrating Our sisters in Law” accessed on 25th February 2021from https://allafrica.com/stories/201105190545.html Wikipedia “Aloma Mariam Mukhtar” accessed on 25th February 2021from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloma_Mariam_Mukhtar This Day Newspaper “I want to be remembered as a Woman who judged Right” Accessed on 25th February 2021 from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive .com/index.php/2020/02/08/bulkachuwa-i-want-to-be-remebered-as-awoman-who-judged-right/amp/ Independent Communications network Limited (July 16th 2012). “Aloma Mukhtar; Making of Nigeria’s Female CJN.” P.m News. Accessed on 25th February 2021 from https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/07/16/aloma-mukhtar-making-ofnigerias-female-cjn/amp/ Funke Adekoya SAN “The Changing face of the legal profession and the impact of gender and diversity in Nigeria.”

Accessed on 26th February 2021 from www.ibanet.org/Article/NewDetail.aspx?ArticleUid=FBDAE64D-C831-461B-933D2E3819FA3EB8 Abe Krash, “The changing legal profession” Accessed on 26th Februrary 2021 from www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/resources/virtual_library/download.cfml?filename=changing_legal_profession Karen J Mathis, “Status of Women in the Legal Profession around the world 2003” Accessed on 26th February 2021 from www.womeninlaw.com/newsletter2/mathis.htm

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)

We celebrate this group of formidable women leaders who cannot be undermined in the legal field.

We also recognize all other women Senior Advocates of Nigeria whose names are not listed here due to limitations of resources. Your leadership and achievements inspire us.

Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) Abimbola is a Partner with Banwo & Ighodalo. She joined the firm in September 2007. Her resolute commitment to the best interest of her clients in transactions, in the course of litigation, negotiation of settlements, and the inevitable attendant success, is an attribute for which she is often commended. She is quite renowned for her vast experience in commercial litigation and arbitration. Her multilingual skills (English, French, Italian, and German) make her a lawyer with a difference.

In 2013, she was appointed as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State, the first female to be appointed to that office. In 2015 she was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Funke Adekoya SAN Funke is a founding Partner at AELEX and heads the Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Appointed Notary Public in 1986 and elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2001, ‘Funke has over 45 years’ experience in Litigation and Arbitration.

As a Litigator, she represents clients regularly before the Nigerian courts at all levels. She also provides expert opinions and has appeared as an expert witness on Nigerian law issues before the courts of England, the United States, and Turkey.

In the field of arbitration, she represents both local and transnational parties as counsel in domestic and international arbitration proceedings within Nigeria and abroad and has acted in numerous disputes as either party-appointed Arbitrator, Sole Arbitrator, or Presiding Arbitrator.

She lectures regularly on arbitration law and procedure and has been approved by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as a Tutor at the Associate to Fellowship Course level.

Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN is one of Nigeria’s most prominent lawyers and a successful author, having already written three volumes of Essays in Admiralty, a comprehensive collection of essays and learned papers focused on maritime law. A fourth volume is preparing for publication. Jean holds an LLB from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (1985); an LLM from the University of Lagos; and master’s degree in transport management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, and sworn in as a notary public in 1990.Jean is a maritime legal consultant to the Nigerian House of Representatives’ committee on marine transport. She trained the first set of cabotage enforcement officers for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. She is a founding member of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council committee, in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute on the biannual maritime seminar for judges.

Jean was co-chair of the Nigerian Admiralty Law and Procedure reform committee in 2020.Jean is a member of the International Bar Association; the Nigerian Bar Association; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK); the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria; and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association. She is a past president of the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association; president of African Women in Maritime; and received a certificate of merit from Cambridge Academy of Transport, UK. www.esq-law.com

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) Funke Agbor SAN Funke is a Partner in Denton’s ACAS Law Funke is a Partner in Adepetun Caxton-Martins Agbor & Segun and She has extensive experience in Admiralty law, Shipping & Marine Insurance Law & Litigation, Shipping Registration, Cabotage Registration & Compliance, Ship Finance & Securitisation, and International Trade Law & Commercial Arbitration.

She has represented clients on a broad range of commercial transactions before trial and appellate courts all over Nigeria. In addition, Funke is a seasoned maritime arbitrator and has represented the firm in numerous international arbitration cases. Her active participation in the development and formulation of policy in the Nigerian maritime industry has contributed to her acknowledgement as an authority in the industry.

Victoria Awomolo SAN Toyosi is a partner in Olaniwun Ajayi LP. She is the partner in charge of the Firm’s Entertainment, Leisure and Media Practice, and Intellectual Property Practice.

Before taking leadership of these teams, Toyosi led the Firm’s corporate, commercial team as well as its corporate strategy unit.

Toyosi has over 20 years’ experience in trademarks and intellectual property litigation and her practice specialize in intellectual property protection, enforcement and regulatory support as well as entertainment, and media law advisory.

Miannaya Essien, SAN Miannaya Aja Essien, SAN, FCIArb, Chartered Arbitrator and notary public, is the managing partner and one of the founders of Principles Law Partnership, a firm of legal practitioners, arbitrators and notaries public with offices in Port Harcourt and Lagos Nigeria.

She is an alumnus of the universities of Nigeria and Lagos and obtained her LLB (hons) and LLM respectively in 1984 and 1991. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in August 1985. As counsel she leads complex corporate and commercial dispute resolution matters in Nigeria and internationally across the oil and gas, finance and insurance sectors. She also acts as sole arbitrator, panel member or as chairman of various arbitral panels.

Miannaya was made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2007. She is a chartered arbitrator and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (CIArb). She is a past chairperson of the Port Harcourt chapter and an approved tutor of CIArb. She is a member and chairperson of the section on legal practice of the Nigerian Bar Association.

She is a member of several other associations including the International Law Association (Nigerian branch), the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, LCIA (African Users' Council), ICCA and the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She is included on the CIArb panel of arbitrators and is on the Lagos Court of Arbitration list of neutrals.

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) Dorothy Ufot SAN Ms. Ufot is the founding partner of the leading Nigerian firm Dorothy Ufot & Co. (established in 1994) where she heads the international arbitration and litigation departments of the firm.

Dorothy specialises in international arbitration, litigation, and other forms of dispute resolution, including investment treaty arbitration, enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, investment consulting, corporate and commercial law.

In 2009, Dorothy was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) (equivalent to Queen’s Counsel), in recognition of her vast work in commercial litigation.

Dorothy is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (CIArb) and a chartered arbitrator. She is a former member of the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Paris (2006-2018), and a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Casablanca International Mediation and Arbitration Centre Morocco, since 2016.

Dorothy was designated to serve a six-year term on the panel of arbitrators of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in February 2017.

She is a former global vice president of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, and currently a member of the council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law and vice-chair of the arbitration and ADR commission of ICC Nigeria as well as the treasurer of ICC’s Nigeria committee.

Anayo Offiah SAN Chief (Mrs.) A. J. Offiah, SAN is a legal luminary of notable repute and the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria South-East of the Niger who has displayed an admirable degree of hard work, honesty, integrity and zeal in the discharge of her duties.

She is a well-seasoned and experienced lawyer; a prodigy in the legal profession and a beacon of light and role model for up starters and young lawyers who aspire to reach the peak in the practice of the legal profession. In spite of her apparent highly exalted position, she remains calm and humble.

She is a loving mother and wife, and above all, a devout Roman Catholic whose strong Christian beliefs and faith permeate every activity and duty of hers.

Funke Aboyade SAN Funke Aboyade SAN is a founding Partner at Aboyade & Co. She gained her LL.M from the University of Cambridge (Jesus College) in 1985 with distinctions in several courses.

Prior to this, she had been admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1983, emerging in the top 1% of her graduating set at the Nigerian Law School. Before that, she attended the University of Ife where she graduated in the top 1% of her class, obtaining her LL.B in 1982. In all three, she graduated with Second Class Upper Division, winning prizes and distinctions.

Funke was admitted to the Inner Bar, becoming Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2013. A seasoned Arbitrator, she is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration UK (Nigeria Branch).

Funke has undertaken courses in International Project Finance in Lagos and Oslo, Norway.

Prior to formally setting up ABOYADE & Co., she was a Partner at one of the nation’s top commercial law firms, heading the firm's Project Finance Group.

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) Olabisi Soyebo SAN Olabisi Soyebo heads the Abuja office and she is a Partner at Abdullahi Ibrahim & Co.She attended the College of St. Elizabeth New Jersey USA from where she obtained a B.A (Hons) in Sociology in 1985.

She subsequently proceeded to the University of Buckingham, Buckingham, England where she graduated with an LL.B (Hons) in Law in 1987. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and has since been in active legal practice with Abdullahi Ibrahim & Co. Olabisi Soyebo is a gifted Courtroom advocate and a Solicitor of great repute. She focuses her practice on complex civil/ Criminal appellate litigation. As a seasoned Solicitor she does painstaking work advising and preparing legal documents for complex commercial transactions including Conveyancing, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Banking Labour, Employment, and Oil and Gas. She was appointed a Notary Public in 1998 and was admitted to the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) (equivalent of a QC in England) in 2008; a rare feat which earned her the trailblazers award from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Women forum in August 2009.

Prof Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN Prof Yemisi Bamgbose SAN works at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, as an assistant lecturer and rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Law on October 1, 2003.

In 2018, Prof Bamgbose became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Titilayo Akinlawan SAN Mrs. Anthonia Titilola Akinlawon SAN is a consummate advocate of great repute and one of the few female senior advocates of Nigeria. She was elevated to the rank of a Senior Advocate in August, 2011 (although backdated to 2010).

As a specialist in Litigation, she has handled matters in various areas of law ranging from Labour Law to International Law, Family Law, Commercial Law, Taxation, Contract, Land Law and Election Petition in various court hierarchy in Nigeria .

Mrs. Akinlawon SAN is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association; Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) and International Bar Association (IBA). She is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria (CITN).

Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun SAN Ms. Bashorun is an innovative legal practitioner, a Notary Public and active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Advocates International, Association of Intellectual Property Law Practitioners in Nigeria, International Trademark Association, Women and the Environment Association USA, as well as African Christian Lawyers Network.

She is a regular and active participant at international Bar Association (IBA) conferences.

She has consistently received awards in recognition of her achievement and contribution in the legal profession, these includes, Leading Environmental lawyer in Nigeria, in the International Who's Who Legal, 2004, Leading Environmental lawyer in Nigeria in the Who's Who Legal Nigeria, 2011 & 2012.

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) Doyin Rhodes Vivour SAN Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour SAN, Managing Partner, Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co (Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators) is a Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a CEDR UK Accredited Mediator. She holds the LLB [Hons] and LLM degrees in Law. She holds a Masters of Arts degree [MA] with merit in International Peace and Security from King’s College London, University of London [2002]. In recognition of her leadership qualities, she was nominated by the United States Information Services (USIS) to participate in the ‘Young African Leaders Programme’ in 1990. In 2005 she was awarded the prestigious British Government Chevening Scholarship in the area of peaceful settlement of international disputes.

Adedoyin has practiced law for nearly four decades and specializes in commercial transactions, international and domestic arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Her areas of expertise include oil and gas, energy, construction, and infrastructural projects, maritime, banking and finance, franchise and commercial disputes generally. Her legal practice actively encourages alternative dispute resolution and she has successfully mediated several disputes. She has also acted as a consultant to regulatory bodies for the drawing up arbitration/ADR industry-specific schemes (Nigerian Communications Commission [NCC], Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission [NERC]). She is a Notary Public of Nigeria.

Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour SAN has extensive experience in Arbitration and ADR mainly under the UNCITRAL, ICC, and LCIA Rules. Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour’s expertise has been recognized in publications such as the arbitration chapter of Who’s Who Legal Nigeria and recognized as one of the world’s leading arbitrators. She is described by ‘Who’s Who Legal’ as “second to none for her skill and versatile thinking”. She is listed in editions of Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts [Expert Guide] as one of the preeminent professionals in the world.

Nella Andem-Ewa SAN Nella is a key member of Babalakin & Co’s Telecommunications, Information Technology and Intellectual Property team.

She is currently on the team representing a high profile client in a landmark case arising from an intellectual property and infringement dispute, which involves both the business and technological issues that arise in the ever-evolving practice area.

As a member of the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution team, she is routinely involved in representing a number of the firm’s clients at various courts in Nigeria.

She has also been instrumental in advising local and multinational clients and in the preparation of legal opinions on labour law, tenancy law, commercial transactions, intellectual property and privacy law, applying key research and analytical skills.

Safiya Badamasi SAN Mrs. Safiya Badamasi, SAN is the Permanent Secretary of Katsina State Ministry of Justice. She is also the first Hausa/Fulani Muslim woman and the first lawyer in Katsina State to become Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN and has been appointed a High Court Judge.She is an erudite lawyer who rose through the ranks to become the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary of the Katsina State Ministry of Justice in November 2018.Mrs. Badamasi began her working career with Katsina Ministry of Commerce and Tourism briefly between 1989 and 1990 as Assistant Tourism Officer.She later transferred her services to Katsina State Ministry of Justice where she rose from Litigation Officer to her current position of Permanent Secretary/Solicitor-General of the state.Before becoming the Solicitor-General, she was Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Katsina State between 2007 and 2018 and she has to her credit four Supreme Court judgments as well as many Court of Appeal and High Court judgments.

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Women in Business Law

W

e appreciate these women who have contributed immensely to the evolvement of business law practice, both at home and in the diaspora.

We have selected only a few of these women who have done us proud in the various aspects of business law.

Myma Belo-Osagie Dr. Myma Belo-Osagie recently retired as Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie.

She is now Of Counsel with the firm, in which capacity she continues to lend her expertise and wealth of experience to the firm, in areas relating to foreign investment, corporate restructuring, acquisitions, regulatory communications, equity finance, and infrastructure projects, among others.

Called to the Ghanaian and Nigerian bar, She is a member of several professional bodies such as Inaugural member, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Ghanaian Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association, New York Bar Association, American Bar Association, and International Bar Association.

Kofo Dosekun Kofo is the chairman of Aluko & Oyebode. She leads the Corporate and Commercial, and Banking practices of Aluko & Oyebode.

She advises on a broad range of lending and commercial transactions, such as large local and foreign currency loan syndications and leases, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and transaction restructuring.

She has also served as counsel to offshore lenders in the structuring of the security package and the extension of foreign currency facilities to oil exploration and production companies.

Mfon Usoro Mfon, an internationally acclaimed expert in transport laws and project finance is the Managing Partner of Paul Usoro & Co. Her deep knowledge of transaction and commercial practice makes her highly recommended by both domestic and international organisations.

She leads the firm’s team in maritime, aviation, project finance and energy matters actively participating in complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

Under her supervision, the firm’s transaction team provides first-in-class legal advisory services to satisfied clients in the private and public sectors cutting across diverse areas.

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Felicia Kemi Segun Felicia Kemi Segun is a Senior Partner at Denton’s ACAS Law. She has over 28 years of experience in law practice and she is particularly versed in Nigerian oil and gas and electricity law and practice and related corporate commercial legal advisory concerns. She advises on the acquisition, management, and disposal of petroleum interests/assets under the various petroleum arrangements existing in the Nigerian energy industry; and the structuring of an investment in the sub-sectors of the oil and gas industry including petro-chemicals.

Her scope of expertise extends to advising on the evolving regulatory framework in the Nigerian power industry and to investment in the same and she advises on strategic alliances in the various facets of the Nigerian energy sector.

Sandra Oyewole Sandra Oyewole is the Partner & Head, General Practice Group of Olajide Oyewole LLP. Sandra provides legal services on a multitude of issues to various sectors and industries. She has also acquired significant dispute resolution experience at all levels of Nigeria’s judicial system.

With the development of her analytical, oratory, and drafting skills, Sandra joined Olajide Oyewole and Co. (as it was then named) in 2001 as a Partner where she guided the growth of the firm’s practices in advertising, brand protection, broadcasting, employment and global mobility, entertainment, estate planning, hospitality, information technology, intellectual property, media, and sports.

With her intellectual property background, Sandra has also helped to establish the firm’s technology practice.

Sandra has in-depth knowledge and experience in Nigeria’s creative and innovative industries, regularly structuring deals and providing legal, business, and regulatory advice. She is often invited to speak at seminars and workshops in and outside Nigeria on matters pertaining to the chain of title, intellectual property, Nigeria’s creative industry, and digital technology.

Folasade Olusanya Folasade Olusanya is a Partner and heads the Corporate Commercial Department of Jackson, Etti & Edu. She has a strong track record of advising managers and investee companies in complex Mergers and Acquisitions and Cross-Border Acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital.

Fola is an active member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committees of the Capital Markets Solicitors Association in Nigeria and the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Folasade Olusanya is active on a range of substantial M&A mandates as well as issues relating to corporate governance. She regularly represents clients from sectors spanning from infrastructure and energy to consumer goods and pensions.

She is acknowledged for her experience in the capital markets space.

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Women in Business Law Chinyere Okorocha Chinyere is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice of JEE. She also doubles as Head of Health & Pharmaceuticals Sector and oversees all Sector Heads.

She has over 25 year’s practical experience, covering all aspects of IP, and related issues, particularly the prosecution of Trademarks, Patents & Designs; Commercial IP advice & general Portfolio Management, IP Enforcement & Brand Protection, Infringement & AntiCounterfeiting, Copyright, Media & Entertainment Law. At present, she offers advice and is responsible for the portfolio management of various bluechip companies, both locally & internationally.

Chinyere Okorocha is highly respected in the market, with one peer explaining that “you can’t speak about IP in Nigeria without speaking about Chinyere, a leading practitioner.” She handles the portfolios of international clients from healthcare, tourism and commerce, advising on patent applications and regulatory issues.

Bola Tinubu Bola Tinubu is a Partner in Olajide Oyewole LLP and leads its Corporate Practice.

Bola Tinubu is a Partner in the firm and leads its Corporate Practice. She has a wealth of experience in advising business on transactional and regulatory matters.

While her special focus is in corporate governance, business and group re-organizations, as well as company acquisitions and disposals, Bola provides general corporate representation and regulatory support to international clients, public companies and closely-held businesses in a broad range of sectors including real estate, consumer goods and retail, financial services, technology and industrials.

She provides advice convering a wide range of commercial matters including, foreign direct investments, corporate strategic alliances, the expansion of businesses and succession planning.

Bola's counsel is regularly sought by company boards on performance and evaluation matters, as well as their day-to-day operations and in times of corporate crises.

Maryam Uwais (MFR) Maryam is a founding Partner of Primera Africa Legal. She is an experienced commercial lawyer and arbitrator with a broad practice that spans over 30 years.

Her area of expertise includes Banking & Insurance Law, Islamic Banking, Mergers & Acquisition, Capital Market Operations, Human Rights Law, Justice Sector Reform, Legislative Drafting, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Maryam advises a diverse array of clients, from major financial institutions and manufacturing companies to government and its agencies, on a full range of commercial transactions.

She has also worked extensively with global development aid agencies, having worked as a legal consultant to the World Bank, the United Nations, the UK Department for International Development, USAID and Oxfam.

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Women in Business Law Yinka Edu Yinka Edu is a Partner with UUBO. She works in the firm’s Banking & Finance team and heads the firm's Capital Markets and Fintech teams.

More recently she has also become a key partner within the Compliance and investigations team. She has been involved in a diverse range of financial, capital markets, and fintech transactions.

Aisha Rimi Aisha Rimi is a partner in the Corporate Commercial and Private Client practice group of Africa Law Practice. She is a leading transaction lawyer, versed in general corporate commercial law with expertise in foreign investment, regulatory compliance, and business advisory for ‘doing business in Africa’.

Her areas of specialisation and experience include project finance, corporate and operational joint ventures, all manners of commercial structures and advisory services such as joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, manufacturing, licensing and distribution agreements, divestments, mergers, and acquisitions; corporate restructuring and government and regulatory compliance. She also manages the firm's Private Client department which offers services in Trusts, Wealth and Estate Planning, Wills and personal investment, and advisory services.

She has significant local and international experience as a project finance attorney at Chadbourne & Parke, (now Norton Rose Fulbright New York, US) where she worked on infrastructure projects across sectors.

Elizabeth Idigbe

Elizabeth is the Managing Partner and Partner in charge of Energy & Power, Real Estate, Trust & Wealth Management, and Company Secretarial Practice Groups of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors.

She is also a full member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON); A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb 2017 - 2019), UK, and an executive member of the Institute’s Nigeria Branch.

With over 33 years of work experience, Elizabeth is reputed for her expertise in Security Documentation; Real Property Transactions; Estate Management; Debt Recovery/Factoring and Business Restructuring; Perfection of Title; Company Secretarial Services, Employment Law, and General Corporate Practice.

Her experience covers both corporate and private practice. She started in the banking industry and rose to the position of the Company Secretary of a major deposit bank. She proceeded to the Oil & Gas sector where she also left a remarkable footprint working as the General Manager in charge of Human Resources, Corporate Services, and Company Secretarial of a major oil marketing company in Nigeria before returning to the Firm.

Funmi Falana Funmi Falana is a Partner at Falana & Falana. She is an astute Constitutional law and Human Rights Lawyer. She has participated in several human rights activism in Nigeria.

Funmi Falana currently serves as the National Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), a non-governmental organization that defends the right of women and children.

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Women in Business Law Funmi Roberts Funmi Roberts is the Managing Partner of Funmi Roberts & Co. Funmi is a Chartered Arbitrator, adjudicator, and member of CEDR's Global Panel of Mediators.

She is a member of the Dispute Resolution Panel of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nairobi International Arbitration Centre, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre, and serves on the Governing Board of the Oyo State MultiDoor Courthouse. She has been involved in resolving several high-stakes disputes.

Until recently, Funmi served as a director on the board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, and she currently serves on several corporate boards. She is the Principal of Funmi Roberts & Co. (Firm of Solicitors & Advocates), engaged primarily in Commercial Law practice with a special bias for ADR as a tool for dispute resolution.

Olayemi Anyanechi

Olayemi is the Managing Partner of Sefton Fross.

She is one of the leading finance lawyers in Nigeria and has more than two decades of experience advising clients in diverse areas of law. She represents various organizations and multinational companies, attending to the full range of their business and transactional needs on a range of local and cross-border transactions.

Yemi has transactional experience across many industry sectors and is most renowned for her experience in financing and M&As in the financial services, energy, and natural resources, and infrastructure sectors.

Prior to founding Sefton Fross, Olayemi was a Senior Partner and Head of the Finance Practice Group and a Key Member of the Energy and Projects Practice Group at a leading Law Firm, and before then the General Counsel at Sahara Energy Resources.

Under her leadership, Sefton Fross grew very quickly to become one of the leading law firms in Nigeria and has been consistently recognized as such by the leading internationally renowned legal directories and publications. She has made significant contributions to the development of finance law, policy, and business in Nigeria and is an astute speaker and prolific writer.

Olusola Adegbonmire

Olusola Adegbonmire is a Legal Practitioner and Senior Managing Partner in the Law Firm of Sola Ajijola and Co. where she has practiced law for the past 34 years. In her law , she has been engaged in a lot of litigation work and as a consequence, has been involved in negotiations, meditations and various ADR processes with emphasis on Arbitration and Mediation. She practices extensively in the area of Succession and Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate. She has also spoken in various for a about the subject and is a member of the Probate Committee of the Lagos State Judiciary. She is a trustee of the Association of Succession Trusts and Estate Planning Practitioners.

Mrs. Adegbonmire is a Fellow and Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian Branch and is an Approved Tutor and Assessor of the Institute. She is currently the 2nd Chairman, of the Nigerian Branch. She is also on the board of the Kigali International Arbitration Centre.

Mrs. Adegbonmire is an Accredited Mediator of the Centre for Effective resolution (CEDR), and a member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi door Court House where she arbitrates and mediates extensively.

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Women in Business Law Taiwo Afonja Taiwo is a Partner in the Energy and Project Finance Group of Denton’s ACAS Law. She is based in Lagos. Taiwo has over 24 years of legal practice experience.

She has actively represented several multi- national and national clientele on concession acquisition and licencing, marginal field farm-in transactions, strategic alliances in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, asset divestitures and financing of upstream activities.

Taiwo's expertise covers the provision of advice on financing and security structures, taxation, due diligence exercises and regulatory issues.

Her expertise in power spans across industry regulatory issues and acting for investors in the Nigerian electricity sector. She also heads the mining practice of the firm.

Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya is a Partner at Africa Law Practice. Litigation, Arbitration & ADR specialist, with experience in domestic and international dispute frameworks in dispute resolution and their workings.

She represents private and state clients on a broad range of commercial transactions before trial and appellate courts in Nigeria and has been described as “a dogged, results-oriented barrister”.

Worked on major complex arbitration in the utility sector as well as in international investment arbitration. Much sought-after resource on International Arbitration & ADR matters and expert on regulatory compliance. Active in the arbitration community having served on the executive committee of CIArb (UK) Nigeria Branch and currently sits on the Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.

An accredited CeDR Mediator, member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), Arbitral Women, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, and the Nigerian and International Bar Associations.

Uwa Ohiku

Uwa is a Partner and Head of the Intellectual Property Department (IP) of Jackson Etti & Edu. She has specialist experience in all aspects of IP law & practice and handles the local IP portfolios of numerous blue chip international corporations based particularly in the US and Europe.

Uwa was appointed a panel member of the US National Arbitration Forum in 2002 to arbitrate on the largest Domain Name dispute involving a well-known cable provider.

She is the only Nigerian Panelist of the WIPO Domain Names Arbitration & Mediation Center and has been consistently nominated as a leading Nigerian IP practitioner by the Who’s Who Legal Publication.

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Chisa Uba

Chisa Uba is a Partner in the Shipping and International Trade Group of Denton’s ACAS Law.

Chisa Uba is a Partner in the Shipping and International Trade Group of the Firm. She is based in Lagos.

Chisa has over 15 years of legal practice and experience in admiralty and shipping matters.

She has advised and represented clients in numerous vessel acquisitions including ship building transactions.

Chisa has significant experience in advising operators in the Nigerian offshore industry on compliance with local content laws particularly the Nigerian Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010. She was one of the lead counsel in the group that successfully prosecuted the first celebrated, landmark case under the Cabotage Act. Chisa has advised and been actively involved in setting up viable corporate/operating structures for shipping companies operating offshore Nigeria under the local content laws. She routinely advises diverse clients on the employment of Nigerian seafarers and related issues.

Felicia Mosuro Felicia Mosuro is the Managing Director of Adcax and a respected corporate lawyer. Felicia has experience in banking, civil litigation, corporate /commercial law and company secretarial practice.

She advises companies on corporate governance, statutory and regulatory compliance.

Felicia has served as the team lead on all corporate dissolution matters handled by Adcax.

She coordinates the activities of Adcax to ensure that client’s expectations are constantly exceeded.

Adcax is Company Secretary to several companies and Felicia coordinates all the companies’ secretarial matters inclusive of the convening of board and general meetings, maintenance of registers and filing notices of all changes in the companies records with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Toyosi Alabi Toyosi is a partner in Olaniwun Ajayi LP. She is the partner in charge of the Firm’s Entertainment, Leisure and Media Practice, and Intellectual Property Practice.

Before taking leadership of these teams, Toyosi led the Firm’s corporate, commercial team as well as its corporate strategy unit.

Toyosi has over 20 years’ experience in trademarks and intellectual property litigation and her practice specialize in intellectual property protection, enforcement and regulatory support as well as entertainment, and media law advisory.

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Women in Business Law Stella Duru Stella is a Partner in Banwo & Ighodalo. She consistently proffers refreshing solutions at the negotiating table. Since joining the firm in 2001, Stella has risen professionally especially in her areas of expertise, energy and natural resources as well as corporate commercial law.

She has worked on several oil and gas transactions and has actively participated in negotiations relating to same. Over the period, she has garnered considerable project finance experience.

Stella has a sound understanding of intricate and complex legal issues in her chosen areas of practice. Prior to her admission into Partnership, she served as a Team Leader in the firm's energy & natural resources as well as its corporate, securities, and finance practice groups.

Ayotunde Owoigbe Ayotunde is a Partner in Banwo & Ighodalo.

She is a thorough professional; passionate about achieving set goals and objectives efficiently. Since she joined the firm in 2001, she has been involved in nearly all of our corporate and project finance, mergers & acquisitions, and banking and securitisation transactions.

She currently heads the firm's corporate finance group.

Olubunmi Fayokun Olubunmi heads the Capital Markets and Mergers and Acquisitions practices in Aluko & Oyebode and is a core member of the Firm’s Corporate Finance and Commercial team.

Olubunmi has a wealth of experience in corporate and commercial law, transportation, banking, mergers and acquisition, capital markets project/infrastructure finance, power, aviation, and privatisation issues.

Olubunmi is the immediate past chair of the Capital Market Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law and has served on various committees established by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission to promote the development of the Nigerian capital market.

Yejide Osunkeye Yejide Osunkeye is the Principal Partner at YBO Legal. She is a Legal practitioner, Arbitrator and CEDR Accredited Mediator with years of experience. She worked with Chief Rotimi Williams' Chambers for 12 years. Yejide has over the years served in various capacities at the ICC (Court member, task force member), CIArb (Branch secretary), Lagos Multidoor Court house (panel of neutrals) and other arbitral bodies which has afforded her the much-needed experience in the field of Arbitration and ADR. Yejide has a master’s degree in Law from the University of London and has about 20 years’ experience in Advocacy, Dispute Resolution, Corporate Law and other areas of law.She holds membership of notable legal organizations such as Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, Section on Arbitration(Assistant Secretary), Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, International Bar Association, Arbitral women, Equal Representation in Arbitration (ERA) pledge, ICC Commission on Arbitration, Paris (Taskforce on Decision as to Costs).

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Women in Business Law Oghogho Makinde Oghogho is head of the Business Advisory Unit and a key member of the Aluko & Oyebode’s Banking and Project Finance, and Energy and Natural Resources practices. She advises on banking, commercial, and secured credit transactions, oil and gas project finance, infrastructure finance/PPP arrangements, exploration and production (E&P) restructurings, company formations and restructuring, all Nigerian statutory and regulatory compliance matters, licensing, permits, and corporate governance issues.

Oghogho has, over the years, advised on high-value transactions in diverse sectors, including advising on financing arrangements for projects in the oil and gas, healthcare, hotel and hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. As head of the Business Advisory Unit, Oghogho coordinates corporate advice, regulatory compliance and permitting, and the establishment of local subsidiaries for various multinational entities.

Uche Nwokocha As head of Aluko & Oyebode’s Intellectual Property and Anti-Counterfeiting practice, Uche advises local and international clients on the full range of brand-related matters, including licensing and franchising of technology, transfer agreements, and product registration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

She represents global brands including The Coca-Cola Company, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

She advised clothing retailer H&M concerning the infringement and unlawful use of its trademark by a local business. She successfully argued cancellation proceedings for GSK against an application by a third party to register a trademark conflicting with their Panadol and Lucozade trademarks.

She advised FIFA in connection with the infringement of its trademarks during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and she remains the leader on issues relating to unlawful use of the FIFA emblem.

She has also advised Reckitt Benckiser on anti-counterfeiting matters and BASF on trademarks and product registration.

Seyi Bella Seyi Bella is a Partner in Banwo & Ighodalo.

She primarily advises on project finance and corporate finance transactions but also participates in M&A and capital markets transactions.

She advises local and international banks and financial institutions on various types of financing transactions covering several sectors, including real estate, telecoms, power, oil and gas, shipping and trade, etc.

Her emphasis is on secured lending and asset finance and she has advised clients in several syndicated lending, refinancing, and debt offering transactions. Her cheerful disposition, excellent communication skills, and positive attitude underscore her great personality.

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Women in Business Law Sumbo Akintola Sumbo heads the Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment, and Technology (TMET) practice of Aluko & Oyebode, advising multinational and Nigerian companies.

For more than a decade, she has provided legal advisory support to MTN Nigeria Communications Limited. Sumbo has also represented global financial institutions regarding multimillion-dollar funding to the telecommunications sector.

Also, Sumbo advises multinationals in the United States and Asia concerning search engine and social networking technology in connection with service offerings, products, and regulatory compliance and data protection.

Joke Aliu Joke manages the Abuja office of Aluko & Oyebode, and has a wide range of experience across the firm’s dispute resolution and corporate practice areas.

She has represented several multinational and local companies and individuals in complex, high-value arbitration and litigation proceedings in local and regional courts, arising from matters including oil and gas, maritime, employment, shareholder disputes, debt recovery, and human rights. Joke also has acted as a joint expert in Nigerian law.

In proceedings at Truro County Court, United Kingdom, she provided an expert report on the enforcement of foreign judgements. She represented the family of the late Gambian journalist, Deyda Hydara, in a successful suit against the Republic of Gambia at the Community Court of Justice ECOWAS. She currently serves as Nigerian counsel to a Spanish oil company in a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators commercial arbitration (with its seat in London) arising from the termination of a contract governed by English law, regulating potential business ventures in Nigeria.

She regularly engages with key regulators and advises on company formation, regulatory and compliance issues.

Ozofu Olatunde Ogiemudia Ozofu Olatunde Ogiemudia is a partner in Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, where she is part of the firm’s Corporate Advisory, Private Equity, and Mergers & Acquisitions teams. She is recognised as an extremely resourceful and versatile adviser and has advised on various areas of the law including, corporate and commercial law, private equity, corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, labour and employment, company secretarial practice. She also co-heads the firm’s pro bono practice.

She advised on various equity investments, usually leading the teams that carry out legal due diligence reviews in connection with various investments and divestments. She was part of the teams that advised clients such as Kellogg, Verod Capital, OCP Africa, Synergy Capital, Carlyle, and Actis on various investments in Nigeria.

Ozofu is a Vice-Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law Committee on Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructurings. She was recognised in 2018 by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) as one of the IFLR1000 Women Leaders in Nigeria. She is rated as a ‘highly-regarded lawyer’ for her Mergers & Acquisitions, and Private Equity practice, by The IFLR1000 2019.

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Women in Business Law Debisi Omole Debisi Omole is currently the Chief Practice officer for Templars, until recently she was the firm’s Practice Administrator. As a member of the management team, she manages the business and overall operations of the firm. She was a senior lawyer in the Finance practice group of the firm before transitioning to the Practice Administrator of the firm. She has over 20 years’ cognate experience in advising multinationals as well as local clients in their complex commercial and finance transactions.

An excellent communicator and influencer with a high level of organization and efficiency, Debisi combines her wide range of management and administrative responsibilities with supporting the firm's strategic goal around service delivery and performance by driving, managing, and executing process development initiatives in the firm.

Ngozi Efobi Ngozi is a Partner in AELEX and has over 11 years’ experience in Dispute Resolution (Litigation, Commercial Arbitration, and Mediation) as well as significant experience in Corporate Commercial (Project Finance, Company Secretarial, and Regulatory Compliance) practice areas.

She is the Team Lead currently advising an international telecommunications company and representing it in over 150 matters involving various aspects of law including taxation, labour/employment, environmental and property claims.

Perenami Momodu Perenami is a Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution, Insolvency, Energy, Agriculture and Labour Practice Groups. She is regularly involved in high stakes, commercial disputes resolution before arbitral tribunals and superior courts.

She is currently leading the team handling a portfolio of matters arising out of the privatisation & bid process, ownership and title of one of Nigeria’s major enterprises. She led a team that successfully represented an exploration and production company in an arbitration pertaining to assignment of interest and cost recovery in a marginal field to the tune of about US$40 million.

She is also part of the team representing an investment and asset company in several litigation in relation to capital market disputes at the Securities and Exchange Commission and appeals at the Supreme Court.

She renders advisory services to financial institutions, corporate organisations and multinational companies on insolvency, restructuring and turnaround of companies, mergers and acquisitions, schemes of arrangement and compromise, winding up, voluntary liquidation, receivership and bankruptcy. She is currently advising an international carrier on the crossborder insolvency issues arising out of the carrier’s administration process.

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Women in Business Law Azeezah Muse-Sadiq Azeezah is a Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo.

She is ingenious, brilliant, and possesses strong analytical skills. She is a part of the firm's corporate finance group and has worked on several capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions as well as banking and securitisation transactions.

She brings great enthusiasm to bear on every task assigned to her and makes useful contributions towards achieving the group's overall objectives.

Toyin Bashir Toyin is a Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo.

She is result-driven, diligent, and intelligent. She has extensive experience in dealings with government and a regulatory agency located in the FCT and maintains a good relationship with them.

She heads the Firm's corporate office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and is thoroughly committed to ensuring that clients' expectations are met.

Since she joined the Firm, Toyin has been involved in several of the firm's commercial transactions.

Yemisi Awonuga Yemisi Awonuga is a Partner in the Energy and Projects Practice Group at Templars.

Her extensive specialist experience spans over 14 years of advising clients along the entire value chain in the energy sector including upstream producers, off-takers, midstream service companies, and downstream markets. She routinely advises on the bankability of energy projects with a focus on risk evaluation, allocation, and proffering mitigation mechanics through contractual documentation.

Yemisi combines her commercial experience with her deep understanding of the Nigerian petroleum sector and has, in the last five years focused solely on the petroleum sector advising on integrated oil and gas commercialization projects; crude oil evacuation systems; acquisition of oil and gas assets; structured financing for energy projects; gas project conceptualization studies and regulatory matters.

Yemisi has deep knowledge of the regulatory underpinnings of her focal sector. She also has great expertise in advising on complex corporate, project, and structured finance projects.

Adetutu Sanusi Adetutu is a Senior Associate in Banwo & Ighodalo.

Adetutu advises project sponsors, indigenous and international companies, as well as local and international financiers, on a broad range of commercial transactions cutting across oil and gas, project and corporate finance, infrastructure/public-private partnerships, and broad aspects of corporate and commercial law. www.esq-law.com

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Women in Business Law Adetutu Sanusi Adetutu is a Senior Associate in Banwo & Ighodalo.

Adetutu advises project sponsors, indigenous and international companies, as well as local and international financiers, on a broad range of commercial transactions cutting across oil and gas, project and corporate finance, infrastructure/public-private partnerships, and broad aspects of corporate and commercial law.

Jumoke Fajemiroko Jumoke Fajemirokun is a Partner at Advisory Legal Consultant. S Jumoke Fajemirokun has extensive transactional and project development experience in the energy, infrastructure and mining space.

She was formerly a key member of the energy, natural resources and infrastructure practice of a leading full-service law firm in Nigeria. She later worked with the World Bank in Washington DC where she provided support to the World Bank Group’s Sanctions Board in reviewing integrity compliance issues that arise in the procurement and execution of infrastructure projects financed by the World Bank.

She routinely advises clients on policy, regulatory, transactional and project development issues across the energy sector value chain, especially in relation to gas commercialisation projects. She has advised on the development of gas processing plants, petrochemical plants, LNG plants, refineries, power plants and pipelines.

Olajumoke Arowolo

Olajumoke Arowolo is a partner in Advisory Legal Consultants. Olajumoke is a seasoned commercial lawyer with significant experience in various practice areas including energy, infrastructure, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets.

She routinely advises on significant oil and gas infrastructure projects, acquisitions of oil and gas assets, structured financing for energy projects, gas project conceptualization studies and regulatory matters.

As a project lawyer, she was part of the team that advised on a gas processing agreement for the development of an offshore gas gathering system and a 400mmscf/d gas processing facility in Nigeria. She also played a key role as adviser to the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited in the recently concluded Western Interconnection Project for the enlargement and extension of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) during which she negotiated the various commercial agreements required for the project and advised on related regulatory issues.

She was part of the team that advised on the project finance for the revamp and optimization of the Egbaoma gas processing plant and was also part of the team that advised the lenders on the restructuring of the Lekki Toll Road financing(USD420m) (Nigeria’s pioneer toll road PPP).

She is a recipient of the “40 under 40”Nigerian Rising Star Award for 2019 which was given in recognition of her contributions and commitment to the legal profession.

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Women in Business Law Tiwalola Osazuwa Tiwalola is a Senior Associate of the Corporate & Commercial, Intellectual Property, and Mergers & Acquisitions practice groups at ÆLEX. In her years of practice, she has handled matters (both of a contentious and non-contentious nature) relating to intellectual property rights, franchising, licensing, technology transfer, and product regulation. She has advised several foreign franchises in Nigeria including Cold Stone Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Hard Rock Café, and Tutor Doctor.

Tiwalola has also advised local and multinational companies on corporate structure, regulatory compliance, and acquisitions. She was part of the team which advised The CocaCola Company on its acquisition of an initial 40% stake and subsequent 60% stake in C.H.I. Limited, Nigeria’s leading still beverages producer. She recently closed a transaction for the acquisition of a lubricant blending plant in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Zelda Akindele Zelda is a Partner in the Finance & Projects Practice Group at Templars. She has extensive experience advising on both domestic and cross-border leveraged finance, capital market, project finance, and M&A transactions. Her legal experience cuts across Europe and Africa and has seen her acting for various transaction parties including lenders, arrangers, trustees, project sponsors, equity investors, and target companies.

Prior to Templars, she worked with the Nigerian investment bank, UBA Global Markets (now United Capital), and before that as a member of the Banking and Finance team of Clifford Chance in London and the Structured Finance Team of the same firm in Milan. In Milan, Zelda worked as part of a bilingual team and speaks Italian.

She is currently a member of the FMDQ Sub-Committee on Regulation Consolidation of the Nigerian Debt Capital Market.

Adetola Bucknor Adetola Bucknor is a Partner at Paul Usoro & Co. Tola has served as transaction manager, team lead and a key team member respectively in several transactions.

Tola constantly advises banks and shipping companies on ship sale and purchase transactions, mortgage registration, cabotage registration and charterparties.

Tola is also a key member of the team that advised a pioneer indigenous independent Power Producer and its Distribution Company (Geometric Power Group) from start-up through securing financing from DFIs (IFC) to its infrastructural development and project commissioning stages.

PUC continues to advice the Group on legal issues arising from power sector related dealings.

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Women in Business Law Hauwa Shekarau Hauwa is a distinguished Chevening Alumnus, a gender advocate, human rights activist, a professional Mediator and Conciliator and a lawyer with over twenty- five years’ post-call experience in women and child rights policy and advocacy, conflict resolution, social research, sexual and reproductive health and rights. She is a registered member of the International Bar Association, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Association of Women in Development (AWID), Nigerian Bar Association and a Life member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).She was National President of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) between 2012 and 2015, where she was responsible for providing leadership for the professional organization which has State branches spread all over Nigeria. FIDA is a voluntary not-for-profit organization of women lawyers committed to the promotion, protection and preservation of women and children’s rights, through the provision of pro bono legal services.

She has served as a board member of several NGOs including ActionAid International Nigeria and Nigeria Women Trust Fund. She currently serves on the Board of several other NGOs including the League for Human Rights, El-Shaddai Widows Outreach. She was a pioneer participant of the British Council-funded InterAction Leadership Programme in 2005 and the US State Department/Fortune 500 companies funded International Women Leaders’ Mentoring Programme in 2006 and is a Vital Voices Fellow.She currently runs her law consulting firm, H. E. Shekarau & Co. which is based in Abuja. She also serves as the United Nations Representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers a position she was elected to during the International Biennial Convention of the Organization that held in The Bahamas in November 2017.Hauwa is a regular commentator and public affairs analyst in Nigeria. She is a recipient of several awards from different organizations and institutions. She is widely travelled.

Damilola Durosinmi - Etti Damilola is an associate in the finance and capital market practice at Olaniwun Ajayi.

She advises a broad range of local and international corporate clients on regulatory compliance, financing and debt capital markets transactions, as well as providing them with company secretarial services.

Obosa Akpata Obosa Akpata obtained a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B Degree from Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Edo State in 1990 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. She subsequently obtained a Masters of Law, LL.M Degree from the University of London, United Kingdom, with a specialty in Commercial Law. She also has a Post Graduate Degree (PGC) in Investment Law and a Post Graduate Certificate (PGC) in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London. Her core areas of practice are Company and Commercial Law, Civil Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation.Obosa has been in legal practice since her call to the Nigeria Bar in 1991. She started her law practice in the Law firm of George Etomi & Partners where she spent a period of seven years with more focus in Corporate Advisory and Commercial law practice.

She subsequently joined the Law Firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore as Counsel in 2002 where she gained a great deal of experience representing clients in civil litigation and arbitration.

Since setting up Patreli Partners, Obosa has continued to provide Corporate Advisory services, legal representation of corporate and individual clients involved in civil litigation, arbitration and mediation.She holds membership and affiliations with notable legal entities such as Chartered Arbitrator, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K. Secretary of the Nigeria Branch (2011-2014), Member of the Branch Training Committee, Member, Nigeria Bar Association (Section on Business Law), Current Chairman of the Arbitration & Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) Committee of the Section on Business Law and many more.She is currently the Chairperson of the Committee on Arbitration & ADR of the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Business Law. 86 | Esq Legal Practice

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Women in Business Law Olufunmi Oluyede Olufunmi (whose formative years and early education took place in London, England) is a member of the distinguished Honorable Body of Benchers (the highest regulatory organ of the legal profession) in Nigeria.A transnational commercial attorney of high repute, she is one of the pioneer/founding partners of TRLPLAW Solicitors & Advocates (a prestigious international commercial law firm) where she provides over 34 years legal insight and expertise across a range of industries, to the firm’s most prominent clientele globally.Simultaneously, she is engaged as Secretary-General of the Geneva-based International Alliance of Women.

Olufunmi is a life member, FIDA INT’L and past Chair of its Editorial Board, at present serves as its North America Regional Vice President; Country Vice President, FIDA USA; past Chair, FIDA Nigeria (Lagos) and member, FIDA Nigeria National Executive Council.A long-term, muchtreasured officer of the International Bar Association (IBA), she serves laudably on the IBA Council Constitution and Governance Committee; as Chair of the Speakers Bureau Working Group of the IBA Diversity & Inclusion Council and on the advisory boards of the IBA Women Lawyers Interest Group and the African Regional Forum.Life fellow of the American Bar Foundation, Olufunmi is also an eminent member of both the American Bar Association and the Nigerian Bar Association. Notably, she fervently facilitated the emergence of the current Memorandum of Cooperation between the two global organizations in 2009 and has since functioned creditably in numerous high-ranking offices in both organizations, with various global awards in commendation.

Amara Inegbenoise Amara Inegbenoise is a legal practitioner and alternative dispute resolution consultant passionate about dispute resolution through effective mechanisms such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration and counseling; generally promoting peace and shaping the future. She holds a law degree (LLB) and was admitted into the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2007. She obtained a Post graduate diploma in Environmental & Petroleum law and a Masters Degree focused on Oil and Gas law (LLM). She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (U.K) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC Nigeria); also an active member of the International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitrators Forum (ICCYAF). To further develop her dispute resolution skills to current international standards, she successfully completed the Globally recognised Mediation Skills Accreditation program coordinated by the Center for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in the United Kingdom and is a CEDR Accredited Mediator.

Amara has worked both as a junior and senior employee, building over 10 years experience in diverse sectors in Nigeria and the Middle East.She is the Founder and Principal Consultant NOISE & BLUE ADR Firm focused mainly on alternative dispute resolution encouraging aggrieved parties to settle conflicts outside the court room, maintaining an impressive level of autonomy and privacy; strengthening existing relationships among themselves.

Inemesit Dike Inemesit Dike is a seasoned legal practitioner with vast expertise in Corporate Governance, Commercial Law, Labour Law, and Human Resources Management spanning over 11 years.She is a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Chartered Secretary with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Attorney, and a Counsel at Law in New York USA. Inemesit is passionate about sustainable social development and she passionately educates young lawyers through the Young Wigs Conference. She is a lover of all things Legal-tech and fun disruptions. She believes legal practice can be fun, flexible and "google-y"

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Women in Business Law Modupe Dabiri Dupe is a Managing Counsel in the Finance and Energy & Projects practice groups of Templars.

She has extensive experience advising a broad range of clients including project sponsors, corporates, banks, funds, and other financial institutions on diverse transactions including project and structured finance, energy and other infrastructure projects, corporate restructuring and insolvency, mergers & acquisitions, concessions, and Islamic finance.

She was most recently a Visiting Associate in the Projects and Corporate teams at the London offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, in line with Templars’ philosophy of supporting secondments and internships for its lawyers.

Khadija Osammor Khadija Osammor, a Senior Associate in the Finance and Corporate and Commercial Law Practice Groups of Templars.

Prior to working at Templars, she worked in one of the leading law firms in Lagos where she worked in the oil and gas, finance, and corporate/commercial practice areas of the firm.

She has extensively advised multinational companies in various sectors on legal and regulatory regimes for doing business in Nigeria. Her tax experience includes advisory engagements focusing on tax implications of transactions, contract reviews, and compliance advisory support services.

Khadija had also worked as an officer in the Secretariat and Legal Advisory Department of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) headquarters at Abuja, researching and drafting opinions based on the Rules of the SEC and the Investments and Securities Act, reviewing and drafting agreements entered into with the SEC.

Folashade Alli Folashade Alli is a Chartered Arbitrator recognized as one of the leading arbitrators in Nigeria with over 35 years’ experience cutting across Commercial legal practice and International Arbitration.She has a skill for solving complex legal problems and her expertise makes her an exceptional lawyer with strong business acumen.

Folashade is the legal representative for MRL Public Sector Consultants (Ltd). She is heading the team of lawyers that will be comprehensively reviewing the Niger State Laws and Policies on Primary and Secondary School system of education as part of the TENs programme. She is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (Section on Legal Practice), a member of the International Bar Association, member of the Intellectual Property Law Association, member of the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), member of the Maritime Arbitrators Association, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.Folashade Alli is also an approved Mediator with the Lagos State Multidoor Court House, Lagos Nigeria.

Mrs. Folashade Alli is a registered Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an Approved Tutor of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She is on the Board of Governors of Daywaterman College Abeokuta, Ogun State, a council member of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, and a Director in Bonas Macfarlane Nigeria Limited.

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Women in Business Law Christabel Andino Christabel Andino is an Associate in G. Elias & Co’s Finance and Energy teams.

She regularly advises local and international clients on complex debt financings and energy projects in Nigeria. Christabel routinely advises on forward sale financing by leading financial institutions to players in the oil and gas industry.

Yewande Senbore Yewande heads Olaniwun Ajayi LP’s oil and gas practice. She has over the years gained a deep understanding of the world of finance, having acquired vast experience in project and corporate finance, securities, equity, and debt capital markets.

She has advised on some of the largest and complex transactions in the oil and gas industry.

She also has extensive litigation experience and has provided legal advisory on a number of corporate disputes.

She recently advised the lenders on the US$1.5 billion financings of the development of a deep seaport in Lagos, Nigeria – the first of its kind and the single largest private investment in infrastructure in Nigeria being developed on a project finance basis.

She also advised a syndicate of lenders on the $3.5 billion financing of Dangote Industries Limited for the construction of a 40,000bpd refinery.

Yimika Phillips Olayimika is the Partner in charge of Olaniwun Ajayi's Enterprise Practice Group. She specializes in corporate and regulatory matters across numerous sectors including energy, real estate, manufacturing, health, media, advertising, hospitality and labour.

Olayimika has gained experience advising both local and international clients on group reorganizations, M&A, demergers, corporate finance and general corporate governance matters.

Nta Ekpiken Nta Ekpiken is an expert in Intellectual Property Laws, media, Tech and entertainment in Nigeria. She is an alumni of the United States (US) International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) and an Associate Fellow of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI).Currently, she is a partner at TNP where she heads the firm’s Intellectual Property practice and brings in a wealth of experience in the legal framework for the protection of intellectual property rights, brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, copyrights, image rights, licensing & franchising, technology transfer and product registration.

Nta is involved with many campaigns/advocacy initiatives including a committee working on the review of the IP laws in Nigeria, the United States Consulate - Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC) fight against fake malaria drugs campaign. She was called to bar in 2007 and is an alumnus of Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom. She was previously an Associate and Senior Associate at Aluko & Oyebode, a law firm where she excelled in the practice of Intellectual Property rights protection and Brand protection. www.esq-law.com

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Women in Business Law Michelle Chikezie Michelle is a Senior Associate with G. Elias & Co. in Lagos, Nigeria.

She was the top graduating student in her year at the University of Lagos and is admitted to practice law in Nigeria and New York state.

She is a member of the capital markets and finance practice groups of G. Elias & Co. and regularly advises clients in the finance, telecommunications, and public sectors.

Ibiola Ogunbiyi Ibiola is a Partner in the Power and Infrastructure team of Olaniwun Ajayi LP (widely regarded as Nigeria’s flagship power practice). She has amassed several years of cross-disciplinary experience advising on banking and financial regulation, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency, corporate and commercial law.

Ibi has been integral to many of the Firm’s notable transactions in complex project financings, power, and infrastructure project developments, power sector advisory, publicprivate partnerships, concessions, and corporate financings.

She routinely provides general corporate commercial advisory to a myriad of clients in various sectors of the economy.

Afolasade Olowe Sade is a Partner in the firm's Corporate Commercial Practice and currently heads the Immigration Advisory and Private Client Services Practice of Jackson, Etti & Edu. With practical knowledge and extensive experience of Nigerian law, Sade assists global and local entities in addressing a full range of their legal needs ranging from setting up a business in Nigeria to general legal advisory and regulatory compliance.

She also advises private individual clients on estate planning and investment migration.

Prof. Yinka Omorogbe Prof. Omorogbe is an internationally recognized professor of energy law. She has an LL.B. from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, and an LL.M from the London School of Economics, University of London, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).She started her legal career as a legal practitioner in the law firm of Solomon Asemota & Co. in 1980 and later joined the Faculty of Law, University of Benin as a lecturer in 1983. In 1990 she moved to the University of Lagos as a Senior lecturer, where she remained until her appointment in July 2002 as a professor of law of the University of Ibadan.

She was Dean of the Faculty of Law from 2005 until January 2009, when she was appointed as Secretary to the Corporation and Legal Adviser, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) a position she held until July 2011. She is currently a research professor (Nabo Graham Douglas Distinguished Professor of Law) at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Abuja, Nigeria. She has several international and national affiliations including being a member of the Academic Advisory Group (AAG) of the section on Energy Environment and Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law (SEERIL) of the International Bar Association; Member, Legal Aspects of Sustainable Energy for All Community of Practice; Deputy President I, Nigerian Society of International Law; and Fellow, Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (FNAEE). She is a member of Council, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.

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Women in Business Law Busola Bakinson Busola is a Senior Associate in the Intellectual Property Practice of Olaniwun Ajayi LP. Busola is a Senior Associate in the Intellectual Property Practice of the Firm. She provides general legal support and advice in all aspects of this practice area, including Trademarks, Patent, Industrial Designs and Copyright matters. She lays emphasis on IP prosecution and enforcement in various African countries and effectively handles the IP portfolio of local and international corporations.

She attends and participates actively in many international leadership/IP-themed conferences, organized by the major IP organizations worldwide, such as International Trademark Association (INTA), China Trademark Association (CTA), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Eriye Onagoruwa Eriye is an author and a lawyer and she currently has 15 years’ experience in commercial transactions and negotiations and her career transitioned into corporate communications and sustainability in 2019.She is a corporate affairs, sustainability and government relations advocate with a passion for; stakeholder relationship management, energy industry collaboration, media reputation management, etc.

Eriye Onagoruwa is also a creative writer, author, and financial literacy expert. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria branch). Her passion for women’s causes, especially financial literacy and investment, is the pedestal upon which she addresses some of the largest and most influential women clusters in Nigeria and across Africa.

Marian Nicholas Marian Nicholas is a Senior Associate in G. Elias & Co’s dispute resolution, tax, and corporate practices.

She has advised and continues to advise our clients on structuring tax-efficient transactions, and regularly represents our clients before regulators during investigations and audits, and in tax appeal tribunals and superior courts in Nigeria.

Aramide Nwokediuko Aramide is the Head of Legal/Company Secretary of CFAO, a post she has held from from 2019 till date and where she has served excellently well.Previously, she was a Senior Associate and Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo where she excelled in the practice of commercial law and providing legal advice and support to a wide range of clients on a diverse range of issues including regulatory matters in virtually all of the key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

She has also been involved in drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts from the basic service level agreements to complex software license agreements, technical know-how agreements, share purchase agreements and shareholder's agreements, drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts from the basic service level agreements to complex software license agreements, technical know-how agreements, share purchase agreements and shareholder's agreements.

Aramide also has extensive experience in managing Intellectual Property portfolios of wide range of companies, IP issues and product registration. www.esq-law.com

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Women in Business Law Keibi Atemie Keibi is an experienced and seasoned legal professional with over 28 years’ experience in commercial law, litigation and corporate communications in Banking and Oil and gas sectors.

She was the Deputy Manager, Legal department of African Continental Bank Plc where she served for over 8 years.Currently, Keibi is the Head of Legal, Nigeria/Company Secretary of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, a post she has held for almost 2 years.

Previously, she has also served in various capacities spanning over 18 years in The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited such as Deputy Country Head of Legal/ Managing Counsel, Global Litigation, Sub- Saharan Africa, Deputy Country Head of Legal/Managing Counsel, Partner and Commercial Agreements, etc.

Hauwa Ibrahim Hauwa Ibrahim is the senior and founding Partner of Aries Law Firm.

She trained to be a lawyer and was considered the first Muslim woman in Nigeria to achieve this distinction.

She was known for pro bono work defending people condemned under the Islamic Sharia laws that are in force in the northern Nigerian provinces. She defended Amina Lawal, Safiya Hussaini, and Hafsatu Abubákar. In 2005 she was awarded the Sakharov Prize for this work.

Hauwa has been a Visiting Professor at Saint Louis University School of Law and Stonehill College, a World Fellow at Yale University, a Radcliffe fellow, and a fellow at both the Human Rights Program and the Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard University. Hauwa is presently a teacher and a researcher at Harvard University. She is also one of the 25 leading figures on the Information and Democracy Commission launched by Reporters Without Borders.

Dolapo Kukoyi Dolapo Kukoyi is a Partner at Detail Commercial Solicitors and leads the firm’s Power Practice.

She is one of the leading lawyers in Nigeria’s Power sector with extensive experience advising clients in the private sector, government agencies, and regulators on a wide range of complex transactions. Her transactional experience includes advising the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the 213 billion naira Intervention Fund for the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry; and advising clients on the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) assets in the Nigerian Power sector.

Dolapo played an active role as a member of a core negotiating team nominated by the Disco Roundtable and Investor Group (pressure groups created by bidders in the privatized Distribution Companies and the NIPP assets) to negotiate with the Nigerian Government and Regulators on issues common to them.

Dolapo also led a team working with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme and NERC on the recently released regulation for mini-grids; and currently advising the Lagos State Government on the Light Up Lagos project to facilitate the delivery of 3000MW to Lagos State through embedded power generation.

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Women in Business Law Solape Peters Solape is a Partner and co-heads the Finance and Project practice of Olajide Oyewole LP. Her previous area of specialization has been within the telecommunications field where she has over a decade of practical experience working with Celtel Nigeria, (now Airtel Nigeria) and Etisalat Nigeria (now 9mobile) in various specialist and management roles.

She has extensive experience in the negotiation, drafting, and review of varied complex commercial agreements including: lease of bandwidth, infrastructure sharing, and site swap services, as well as other agreements within the specialized telecoms field. She is a results-oriented professional with strong oral and written communications skills, and exceptional organization skills.

Since joining Olajide Oyewole LLP, she has led varied transactions within the transportation and infrastructure practice area, which includes aviation and PPP projects. She also provides legal advisory services in constructionelated matters.

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Abisodun Adewale

Abisodun Adewale practices in the area of intellectual property and technology (IPT) law.

She is involved in a wide variety of both contentious and transactional matters, as well as advisory and rights clearance work. She has a particular focus on copyright, media, sport and entertainment, hospitality and leisure, but also has experience working for clients in the technology sector.

She regularly works on cross-border investment transaction in relation to copyright and technology. Abisodun works for startups, financiers / investors as well as established companies.

Her work cuts across advice on day-to-day issues as well as on specific projects where she represents clients in negotiations, assisting in legal audits and due diligence, contract documentation, disputes, regulatory and compliance issues as well as offering general legal advisory services.

Kelechi Ugbeva

Kelechi Ugbeva is the Managing Partner of Blackwood & Stone LP. She provides

Kelechi provides specialist Tax and transactional advisory services to multinational companies, family-owned businesses, and Nigerian companies doing business in Nigeria. She has worked as in-house and external counsel both locally and internationally. Her diverse experience base provides her with the unique ability to understand the client’s business challenges and provide tailored legal and tax advisory and support services.

She has an in-depth understanding of doing business in Nigeria and has advised extensively on complex business structures and transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, and corporate restructuring.

She is extremely knowledgeable of the Nigerian regulatory environment and also provides regulatory compliance services. She contributes to the World Bank’s Annual Survey “Doing Business” and has authored several articles and publications on national and international taxation as well as on doing business in Nigeria.

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Women in Business Law Dara Lanlehin Dara Lanlehin is a Senior Counsel in the Corporate and Commercial Group of Denton’s ACAS Law,, where she provides legal advisory service to clients on a wide range of legal matters.

Dara is a legal professional who has garnered a wealth of legal experience. She is well versed in transactions covering foreign investments and corporate structuring; acquisitions and divestments; corporate due diligence, corporate restructuring and regulatory matters involving corporate governance; legal compliance.

She has always played key roles in commercial transactions especially those relating to the provision of specific legal advice on matters as far ranging as taxation, employment law, property, labour, foreign currency restrictions and regulatory compliance.

Omolola Coker Omolola Coker is a Senior Associate in the Energy & Project Finance Practice Group of Denton’s ACAS Law and is based in Lagos.

Over her 12 year career, Omolola has garnered experience in Energy and Corporate Commercial law practice. She focuses on asset acquisitions, divestments, project finance, legal due diligence and regulatory advice.

Omolola is an integral part of the Energy and Project Finance Unit of ACAS-Law and is involved in legal advisory, documentation, research, transaction management and structuring.

Part of her responsibilities involve corresponding and interfacing with third parties such as regulatory bodies, and other professional organizations.

Omolola, prior to joining ACAS-Law, was part of the legal team that advised the Central Bank of Nigeria on the recapitalisation of some Nigerian Banks. She was also part of the team that advised the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation on the legal and regulatory framework for the establishment of ‘bridge banks’.

Omolola had previously worked for a Financial Institution in England, where she specialized in regulatory compliance.

Atinuke Odofin Atinuke Odofin is a Partner at Africa Law Practice. Commercial transactions lawyer with extensive knowledge and experience in myriad areas of enterprise. This experience has been garnered from years in active practice as well as while working as in-house counsel in one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.

Primary areas of focus are aviation, renewable energy, power, and electricity markets ecommerce, mining and solid minerals, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions.

Advice and legal support in pioneer electricity supply contracts, regulatory administration of energy services for independent power supply companies. In the sphere of commercial dispute resolution, she has acted as counsel in several domestic and international arbitration proceedings.

As a strong believer in the concept of law as a tool for social and economic development, she lent herself to the Lagos State Law Reform Commission, first as a member of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee (Trade and Commercial Law Sub-Committee) on the project that culminated in the Laws of Lagos State 2015 and eventually as a Part-Time Commissioner.

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Women in Business Law Ngozi Aderibigbe Ngozi is the Sector Head for Technology, Media & Entertainment of Jackson, Etti, & Edu. She is a Partner in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department.

She is presently the head of the team that handles Trademark Opposition and other contentious regulatory proceedings. She has experience in IP prosecution matters and is part of the IP litigation and enforcement team.

Ngozi also wears a second hat as the head of the Commercial IP team of the Firm. Her intelligence, quick mind, and attention to details have made her a ready leader in this area of Intellectual Property practice in the country.

Kenechi Ezezika Kenechi heads OAKE Legal’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets, Corporate & Investments, and Governance, Reporting and Compliance practices. She is recognised for her astuteness and practical approach in driving transactions to closing. She routinely leads notable mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions.

Kenechi has extensive experience advising clients on financing arrangements, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, and on a wide range of commercial transactions and governance and compliance matters.

Kenechi’s clients include local, international, multinational companies and non-profit entities.

Oluwayemisi Falaye Oluwayemisi Falaye is a Senior Counsel in Denton’s ACAS Law In the past 12 years, ‘Yemisi has garnered experience in Intellectual Property, Immigration and Company Secretarial and Entertainment matters in Nigeria.

‘Yemisi is the team lead of the Sports, Media and Entertainment Law unit of the firm. She deals daily with creatives in the entertainment industry in Nigeria in respect of their legal and management requirements.

‘Yemisi also focuses on prosecution of trademark, patent and design on behalf of clients. She also manages the immigration status of several expatriates in Nigeria. She is involved in general corporate commercial and company secretarial matters in the firm.

Damilola Adetunji Damilola Adetunji is a partner and head of Odujinrin & Adefulu’s Corporate, Capital markets, and Finance Team.

Damilola has been particularly commended for her profound expertise in areas relating to corporate finance, project finance, capital markets, international business transactions, banking, and tax advisory.

Having advised various national and international clients on high-profile commercial/corporate transactions, she has developed a keen understanding of the policy, legal and regulatory frameworks relating to loan documentation, tax regulatory issues, and all aspects of business operations, including the capital market, in Nigeria.

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Women in Business Law Josephine Udonsak Josephine Udonsak is a Senior Counsel in the Energy & Project Finance Practice Group of Denton’s ACAS Law and is based in Lagos.

In the course of her career, Josephine has been involved in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and structuring legal documents and transactions particularly in relation to oil and gas matters.

She also advises on statutory and regulatory compliance matters related to doing business in Nigeria.

Oluwakemi Adefunke Oyebode Oluwakemi is a Senior Counsel at Denton’s ACAS Law. She has garnered experience and advises several Nigerian and foreign clients in a wide array of Capital Markets transactions, Finance transactions and Mergers and Acquisitions.

She also provides Company Secretarial Services, Business Advisory Services and advice in relation to compliance matters. Hardworking and perceptive, she brings out great enthusiasm to bear on every task assigned to her and is noted for prompt delivery on assigned tasks.

In addition to the afore-mentioned, Oluwakemi demonstrates a high degree of responsibility and commitment towards achieving each client's overall objectives by combining excellent strategic analytical planning abilities with strong communication skills.

Dr. Sussan Oluchi Agu Mrs. Sussan Oluchi Agu, is a partner in the Dispute Resolution Group of Royal Heriage. She graduated from the Lagos State University from where she got her LL.B with honours in 2002 emerging the overall best graduating student from the Faculty of Law for the year. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004 and holds an LL.M Degree from the same Lagos State University.

Mrs. Agu started her legal career with the prestigious Law Firm of Messrs. Kola Awodein & Co where she learnt the ropes in Litigation Practice. She was Head of Litigation in the Law Firm of Ikiebe & Co where she had the opportunity of representing various Companies, Multinationals and Institutions in the Construction, Maritime, Petroleum, and Finance Industry. She presently concluded a Ph.D Programme in International Law and Diplomacy at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus with specialty in International Environmental Law. Sussan was also Managing Counsel at Rhonex Solicitors, a position she held until joining Royal Heritage. Mrs. Susan Agu is a complete Trial Attorney with vast experience in corporate practice both at Trial and Appellate Courts. As a litigator, she represents clients regularly before the Nigerian courts at all levels, and has provided expert opinions to Corporate Clients and Institutions. Her practice areas: Commercial Litigation, Corporate Dispute Resolution, Business Turnaround and Corporate Insolvency, Competition Law and Policy and Intellectual Property Matters.

Mrs. Susan Agu has published a long list of Legal and other intellectual works in the area of Banking, Secured Credit, Environmental Law, Maritime Law and Corporate Finance Law among others. Mrs. Sussan Agu is a Notary Public of Nigeria, a member of the Common Wealth Lawyers Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Catholic Lawyers Association, Nigeria Bar Association among other legal affiliations. She had been a Contributor/Facilitator at the Open University of Nigeria.

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Women in Business Law Oluwabukola Iji Solape is a Partner and co-heads the Finance and Project practice of Olajide Oyewole LP. Her previous area of specialization has been within the telecommunications field where she has over a decade of practical experience working with Celtel Nigeria, (now Airtel Nigeria) and Etisalat Nigeria (now 9mobile) in various specialist and management roles.

She has extensive experience in the negotiation, drafting, and review of varied complex commercial agreements including: lease of bandwidth, infrastructure sharing, and site swap services, as well as other agreements within the specialized telecoms field. She is a results-oriented professional with strong oral and written communications skills, and exceptional organization skills.

Since joining Olajide Oyewole LLP, she has led varied transactions within the transportation and infrastructure practice area, which includes aviation and PPP projects. She also provides legal advisory services in constructionelated matters.

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Olubukola Olabiyi

Olubukola Olabiyi (“Bukki”) is a Partner in Odujinrin & Adefulu. A Partner in the Corporate, Capital Market, and Finance team with vast professional experience in the general practice of law with extensive experience in matters relating to corporate and commercial law as well as corporate finance.

She leads the unit responsible for the provision of corporate services to clients at the firm and has advised both national and international clients on a varied number of transactions.

Bukki has developed a keen understanding of the policy, legal and regulatory frameworks regarding general corporate/commercial matters.

Oyinkansola Fawehinmi Fawehinmi Oyinkansola is a visionary entertainment business Leader with a solid legal background and impactful 7+ years of practical experience spanning the entertainment and media law, management and transactional expertise.

She is proficient in entertainment business practices, corporate law, corporate governance, legal research, legal drafting, due diligence, entertainment law, IP & Copyright, dispute resolution practice, contract negotiation, project financing and management.

She is known for adding significant value by leveraging a combination of legal proficiency, industry knowledge and business acumen to influence key stakeholders. She demonstrates practical application of laws and regulatory issues, corporate governance and business practice and finance while partnering closely with team members to achieve growth and corporate goals. Tech-savvy; has an incredible understanding of modern technology and proficiency for use in IP data analysis.

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Women in Business Law Ebele Iyayi Ebele is the Practice Director of Alliance Law Firm, she oversees the Practice Administration and Human Resources. She has over twenty years of senior management experience and has worked as a lawyer in private practice, in-house counsel, human resources manager, and practice manager.

She was the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of SIOtel Limited and the Legal/Human Resources Manager of ABB Powerlines Limited amongst others. She is a self-motivated and meticulous team player with a proven track record of initiating and developing processes and standards.

Prior to joining Alliance Law Firm, Ebele worked for seven years at G. Elias & Co, a top-tier business law firm, as the Practice Manager and ISO Coordinator of the firm playing a major role in the certification and recertification of the firm’s quality management system.

Chinenye Oragwu Mrs. Chinenye Oragwu is a managing partner of CalmHill Partners. Chinenye’s areas of expertise are private equity, project and corporate finance, corporate restructuring, and tax.

She is a strategic negotiator and was instrumental in structuring the transaction for the construction of a leading 5-star international brand hotel in Nigeria. She has also been involved in advising on, negotiating, and structuring several financial transactions, and preparing related documentation including a syndicated loan agreement in respect of the grant of a 15 million dollars loan by a consortium of foreign banks to a group of affiliate companies involved in the construction of a refinery in Liberia.

Chinenye is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. She is a member of the present Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch. She is the Secretary of the Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality Committee of the Section of Business Law (SBL) of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Chinenye is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Professional Women’s Network for Empowerment and Leadership and presented a paper on ‘Developing Transformative Leadership for and with Young Women’ at the Association of Women in Development (AWID) 10th International Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nwachi Otuogbodor Mrs. Otuogbodor is the Managing Partner of Austen-Peters & Co. She studied law to a post-graduate level at the University of Lagos and qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985.

Before joining Austen-Peters & Co., She enjoyed a wide-ranging legal career that encompassed working in both the public and private sectors of England and Nigeria, including acting as company secretary and in-house legal adviser to various companies.

Since joining the firm, Mrs. Otuogbodor has successfully led legal teams on numerous transactions including capital market transactions and corporate acquisitions and has delivered papers on various aspects of financial services law.

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Women in Business Law Foluke Akinmoladun Foluke Akinmoladun is the Managing Solicitor of Trizon Law Chambers, Lagos, Nigeria. She is a lawyer, a mediator, an arbitrator, and an accountant. Her work experience covers both domestic and international commercial legal matters. She is a member of the panel of neutrals of a number of arbitral institutions including the Lagos Multi-Door Court House, Nigeria.

She was once head of the secretariat of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre and participated in the first drafting of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre's Rules on arbitration and mediation. She has acted in various capacities in the arbitration process such as acting legal representative to parties at arbitral proceedings, acting as arbitral registrar, and as arbitrator.

Tosin Ajose Tosin Ajose is the Lead Advisor at Deal HQ and a business lawyer.

Tosin Ajose is a business lawyer. She is a well-known savvy, excellent analytical skills, vast transactional experience and her relentless desire to add value to her clients through innovative solutions, forward thinking and attention to details.

An astute public speaker and an IFLR ranked lawyer. Tosin until recently headed the Real Estate/Construction, Capital Markets and Corporate Commercial Teams in a top commercial law firm in Nigeria. She is currently the lead advisor in Deal HQ Partners.

Winifred Tayo-Oyetibo Mrs. Tayo-Oyetibo’s main areas of practice include Dispute Resolution, Shipping, Aviation, Restructuring, Insolvency, Intellectual Property, and Corporate Governance and Secretariat Services of Mike Igbokwe (SAN) & Co. In the course of her practice, she has gained invaluable civil and commercial litigation experience across the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria on matters relating to her key areas of practice. She advises clients on these areas of law, as well as in corporate governance, employment, tax, and intellectual property.

She was also involved in a landmark Judgment on the charge of stamp duties on deposits with banks and a landmark Judgment of the Supreme Court on the limitation period whilst litigation is pending in Court.

Mrs. Tayo-Oyetibo is articulate, intelligent, thorough, always wanting to ensure that clients’ instructions and goals are carried out and attained within set deadlines and clients’ interests protected. She has a flair for organising clients’ and officer affairs and matters.

Bukola Bankole Bukola is a Partner and the Team Lead of our Private Equity and Corporate Finance practice of The New Practice.

She has extensive experience advising investors, fund managers, financial service providers, and investee companies in cross-border transactions and has advised on a series of financing and investment deals cutting across various industries within West Africa.

The breadth of her work revolves around commercial transactions, and in particular, private equity financing, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and divestments involving private and publicly quoted companies.

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Women in Business Law Lisa Onianwa Lisa Onianwa is Senior Associate at Sefton Fross. She is a dual qualified lawyer Lisa Onianwa is a dual qualified lawyer (England and Wales and Nigeria) with core specialty in corporate, commercial and Finance.

She advises a diverse range of clients on complex domestic and cross border M&A transactions, corporate restructuring, debt and equity finance and capital market transactions.

Aderonke Alex-Adedipe Aderonke Alex-Adedipe is a Partner at Pavestone Solicitors. She has been in active legal practice for almost a decade. She has extensive experience advising local and foreign financial institutions on Trade Finance, Reserve Based Lendings, Asset Acquisitions, and other project finance transactions, which cut across various sectors.

She also advises local and foreign investors on the Nigerian business environmentregulatory requirements, business formation, corporate structures, investment incentives, immigration, local content requirements, and general corporate commercial transactions.

She has acted in conjunction with both indigenous and international law firms in advising on several commercial transactions.

Aderonke was recently recognised by IFLR 1000, a guide to the world’s leading financial law firms, as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Project Finance, Oil and Gas, and Real Estate sectors in 2018. She was also recognised by the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards as one of the 40 outstanding lawyers under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves and are clearly setting new standards in the legal sector.

Ebunoluwa Awosika Mrs. Awosika is an Associate Partner at Ajumogobia & Okeke.

Mrs. Awosika has worked in the Investment banking and finance sector as well as top law firms in Nigeria gaining a wide and varied experience in infrastructure financing, oil and gas, corporate restructuring, acquisitions and amalgamations, joint ventures, and special projects financing. She was the Acting Company Secretary/Legal Adviser at one of Nigeria’s leading investment banks Investment Banking & Trust Company now Stanbic IBTC at the time it raised N15 billion (Fifteen Billion Naira) for Lagos State Government through a Redeemable Bond Issue.

Mrs. Awsika was a member of the team that acted for the Nigerian subsidiary of General Electric Inc. in the acquisition of the gas turbines division of Stewart and Stevenson Inc. worldwide. She also advised the concessionaire in a Public-Private Partnership Concession transaction between a private company and a State Government in Nigeria for the designing, engineering, procurement, financing, constructing, operating, and maintenance of a four-lane dual carriage link road worth US$530,000,000.00. She also provided extensive legal advisory work to the Federal Ministry of Transport in respect of the proposed concession of the Western and Eastern lines of the Nigeria Railways Corporation.

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Women in Business Law Oluwatosin Solanke Oluwatosin Solanke is the Administrator and Head of Training at ESQ Trainings Limited where she oversees Training Programs, Research & Development. She holds an LL.B. from Olabisi Onabanjo University as well as an LL.M from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is intelligent, bright and has a strong passion for continuous professional education. Prior to joining ESQ, she worked in law firms where she exhibited valuable and extensive hands-on experience in Litigation practice and advised multinational companies in international commercial transactions.

As a litigator, she represented high profiled clients regularly before the Nigerian courts at all levels and provided expert opinions to individual and Corporate Clients. She is knowledgeable in Commercial Law, Property law, Negotiation, Intellectual Property Law, Maritime & Marine Insurance Law, International Commercial Transactions and Family Law, which knowledge has been garnered from years of practice, study and research. She is disciplined, result oriented, a good team player and a great leader.

Mobola Akinkugbe Mobola is a partner at AO2LAW. She leads the Transportation (Maritime & Aviation) Infrastructure and Real Estate practice group of the firm with about a decade of experience.

She holds a master’s degree in International Commercial Maritime Law.

Ifeyinwa Ufondu Ifeyinwa is a Senior Associate in Benchmac & Ince. She has at different times worked with teams providing legal advisory services to Federal and State governments on various PPP projects.

She has ample experience working on Infrastructure and PPP Projects that cuts across Electric Power, Maritime (Sea Port) and Agricultural sector.

Nkem Agboti Nkem Agboti holds an LL. B degree from the University of Lagos and has close to two decades of experience in the practice of Business Law. She is an accredited mediator and well rounded in Corporate Affairs.

She has experience in alternative dispute resolution, brand enforcement, as well as, trade marketing and distribution.

Nkem is a regulatory compliance expert and has worked on technical committees for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. She is experienced in Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) engagement and has participated in legislative hearings on key industry bills before the National Assembly and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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Women in Business Law Gbemisola Mosuro Gbemisola Musoro is a Partner at Tunde & Adisa Legal (T &A Legal).

Gbemisola has had experience in Commercial, Compliance, and Corporate Advisory practice.

She has a master’s degree in International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation which enabled her to join the Compliance team of KPMG UK. She has brought this experience to bear in the company secretarial and compliance practice of the firm and is highly knowledgeable in this regard.

Her particular expertise includes advising clients on the corporate structure of business, trade, and financial transactions which are not limited to shareholder’s agreements, corporate alliance and strategic agreements, and loan/debt restructuring.

Rosemary Onos Mba Rosemary Onos Mba is a Senior Associate at Solola & Akpana.

Rosemary is an experienced corporate litigator, with expertise in corporate and project finance, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. She previously has headed a team in our Litigation/Arbitration Practice Group, and currently is the supervising senior associate in the Corporate/Commercial Practice Group and the Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group, where she provides transactional advice to international companies operating in Nigeria.

Whether representing one of our clients in complex litigation or guiding them through a strategically important transaction, Rosemary adds value through her legal experience and practical technical understanding of the construction, banking, real estate, oil and gas, and power sectors.

Mojisola Olugbemi Mojisola Olugbemi is the Principal Partner of Stark Legal and the head of the Dispute Resolution and Corporate Commercial Units. She is renowned for her recent work with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the drafting of the Petroleum Industry Reform Bill.

As the Managing Partner of the Firm, Mojisola is responsible for the annual strategic planning of the Firm, the efficient implementation of the Firm’s strategic plan as well as the Firm’s overall growth and development.

Mojisola is actively involved in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution with particular expertise in contentious matters.

Seun Timi-Koleolu Seun Timi-Koleolu commenced her career as a Corporate and Commercial lawyer at Aluko & Oyebode. She subsequently worked as an in-house lawyer at Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (former Etisalat Nigeria), where she led a team of lawyers in furthering the strategic goals and protecting the interests of the organisation.

She is recognised as a highly skilled commercially minded lawyer who is able to balance her passion for excellence with her desire to ensure clients achieve their commercial goals. She has strong strategic thinking skills, which she utilises to positively impact the growth of her clients' businesses.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Warwick and a Master of Laws (Corporate and Commercial) from the University College London. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association.

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Women in Business Law Ayoyinka Olajide-Awosedo Ayoyinka is a Partner at Aarndale Solicitors. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and the International Bar Association. She has served as the Publicity Secretary for the Capital Markets Solicitors Association and is an active member of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association serving on the Conference Planning Committee of the Section. She has authored several articles including coauthoring the Nigerian Chapter of “Getting the Deal Through – Mergers and Acquisitions” in 2012 and 2013.

Ayoyinka’s main practice areas are corporate/commercial law and corporate finance. She advises clients both local and international regularly on multi-billion Naira transactions.

She represents AARNDALE as company secretary and legal advisor on the Boards of various companies both private and public and regularly advises on the incorporation of companies, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and corporate restructuring with regard to shareholding and Board membership.

Kashimana Tsumba Kashimana Tsumba is a Partner at Foundation Chambers.

Kashimana read Law at the University of Lagos. She was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2005.

She obtained an LLM in Maritime Law from the University of Southampton UK. She served as an International Maritime Organization intern in 2010. She was a visiting Researcher at the Institute of Maritime Law, University of Southampton UK, in 2011.

Kashimana specializes in Maritime Law with an emphasis on disputes arising from Charterparties, arrests, crew mens’ wages, personal injury, bills of lading, sale and purchase contracts, collisions, and Marine insurance contracts. She advises Shipowners and their insurers in relation to a range of wet and dry shipping matters and has directly been involved in enforcement proceedings in respect of LMAA arbitrations.

Oyinkansola Alakija

Oyinkansola Alakija is an experienced Managing Partner of a leading contemporary corporate practice with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry at Gresyndale Legal.

Skilled in Analytical Skills, Strategic Leadership, Legal Advice, Regulatory Compliance, preventive law, litigation, and Tax Advisory.

Passionate about partnering with foreign entrants, financial institutions, and SMEs to protect and legally drive their business in Nigeria and West Africa.

A staunch professional with an Llb from the University of Kent.

Anuoluwapo Balogun Anuoluwapo Is a partner in the mergers and acquisitions practice area Olaniwun Ajayi LP. She has previously worked at Clifford Chance LLP, London where she advised a number of private equity investors on several cross-border M & A transactions. She has also played a leading role in several high-profile real estates and financing negotiations.

Since joining the firm, Anu has established a reputation as a widely exposed, intellectually rigorous, and focused advocate of her clients.

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Women in Business Law Donna Obaseki-Ogunnaike Donna is a Freelance Consultant. Internationally ranked and award-winning Legal/Regulatory Specialist interested in bringing 18+ years of progressive experience to an industry-leading organization.

With a strong history of success in high-level multi-jurisdictional oil and gas acquisition and divestment deals and a proven record of performing extensive research, legal advice, and negotiations across energy, corporate, commercial, and environmental law sectors.

She provides immediate, high impact, and value to any commercial transaction.

Chinasa Unaegbunam Chinasa is a Partner and team leader in the Infrastructure and Privatization Practice and also heads the Aviation Practice at Streamsowers & Köhn.

She has been involved in review of power industry template contracts and advised on proposed greenfield power projects. She is also a seasoned litigator and arbitrator and has represented multinational corporations in several litigation and arbitration proceedings.

She was part of the team responsible for drafting the Civil Aviation Act and the subsequent declarations made by Nigeria in pursuance of the Cape Town Convention.

In addition to being a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, (UK), Chinasa is also a member of the International Aviation Women’s Association.

Rita Anwiri Chindah Rita Anwiri Chindah, ACIArb specialises in intellectual property, information technology, and Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

A Master's degree holder in Intellectual Property & Information Technology from the University of Derby, UK, Rita is knowledgeable in data protection and privacy, media law, copyright, industrial designs, trademarks, and patents.

Rita has some experience advising startups and companies on intellectual property and technology in the digital age. She also brings her knowledge in Arbitration and ADR to bear, helping clients proactively minimise risks.

Rita is a member of: the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law, within the Committees on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution and Information and Communications Technology; the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch; and the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Adeola Sunmola Adeola is a Partner in Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie's banking and finance, power, projects, and infrastructure (including real estate development), and compliance and investigations teams. Her specialisations include syndicated lending transactions; debt restructuring; financing for power; manufacturing, real estate, and infrastructure projects; Islamic finance, as well as anti-corruption compliance and corporate investigations in Nigeria.

She routinely advises local and international clients and banks in connection with financing transactions involving various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including transactions that have “cross-border" elements. She also advises lenders and borrowers on transaction structure, documentation negotiation, and perfection of security.

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Women in Business Law Folake Elias-Adebowale Folake is a corporate team partner and co-head of the firm’s private equity, M&A, and oil and gas teams at UUBO. She advises private equity houses, financial investors, corporates, investee entities, and other clients on diverse matters including domestic and cross-border acquisitions, divestments, restructuring, and compliance matters across various sectors and industries.

She is a member of the legal and regulatory council of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) and the legal and regulatory committees of the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA) and the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Nigeria (PEVCA).

She sits on PEVCA’s inaugural board and serves on the technical committee established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and PEVCA to assist with the review of Nigerian private equity regulations.

Folake Alabi Folake is a Senior Associate within the Firm's Finance & Capital Markets Practice of Olaniwun Ajayi LP. She specializes in lending transactions, recapitalization, debt restructurings, projects, and general corporate finance.

She has substantial experience in advising on the finance of power assets, infrastructure projects, and capital market transactions including representing public and private issuers and underwriters in local and international offerings.

Folake has extensive experience in advising development finance institutions, an experience which earned her a fellowship at the International Finance Corporation, where she gained first-hand experience in development finance.

Folake was formerly a member of the Firms’ Dispute Resolution and Enterprise Practice, where she advised on taxation and represented clients in commercial disputes and arbitration.

Ijeoma Abalogu Ijeoma is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Gbenga Biobaku & Co. She heads the Business Advisory and Regulatory Compliance Unit of the Firm. She has over 16 years practice experience and has advised several multinational companies and investors on all regulatory matters relating to doing business in Nigeria.

Ijeoma has practical “hands-on” experience in dealing with various regulatory agencies in Nigeria and regularly advises clients and assists with the processing of various investments, regulatory and operational permits and approvals. She also oversees the provision of company secretarial services to a large number of companies both domestic and international.

Ijeoma also focuses on international investments and immigration practices and procedure, as well as Intellectual Property Law. She is also a registered professional with the Federal Reporting Council of Nigeria.

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Women in Business Law Beverley Agbakoba-Onyejianya Beverley Agbakoba-Onyejianya is a regulatory and compliance professional and a lawyer.

She is called to the Nigerian and UK bar. She is on the panel of neutrals at the Lagos Multi Door Court and the Lagos Court of Arbitration.

She has over 14 years professional experience in the banking and capital markets sectors in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Her broad experience in the regulatory and compliance industry covers investment banking, brokerage and fund management sectors and has seen her hold various leadership roles in regulatory and compliance sector.

She is currently Head of the Sports, Entertainment and Tech practice at Olisa Agbakoba Legal. She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Sports thematic Industry group on Alternative Dispute Resolution and Youth Policy Development.

Uchenna Ogwo Uchenna Ogwo is a Founding and the Managing partner of Bridgeforte Attorneys. A seasoned commercial lawyer with over 18 years' experience providing professional advice to both Nigerian and Cross-border Clients principally on business establishment, International joint venture transactions, compliance, corporate restructuring, refinancing, and immigration.

Having obtained an Executive MBA from the London School of Business and Economics, she has cognate experience in the Legal aspects of Contracts Documentation, Intellectual Property Law and Labour & Productivity Law. She is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association(Premier Branch) where she has served two terms in the CLE (Continuing Legal Education) committee. She is also an active member of FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) and a Chartered Mediator with the Institute of Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).

Enewa Chris-Garuba Enewa (Mrs) Rita Chris-Garuba FCIArb is a founding partner of Temple Chambers (Barristers, Solicitors & Arbitrators) incorporating R. I. Kuku & Company (Legal Practitioners since 1985).

She has practiced law for nearly four decades, specializing in Commercial transaction, International Business Transactions, oil & gas and advocacy. She has specialized in Labour Arbitration and is currently a Federal Arbitrator and member of the Industrial Arbitration Panel, a federal institution and parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

A chartered arbitrator, she is listed as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, (UK) Nigeria Branch. She is listed as a neutral arbitrator for the Federal High Court ADR Multidoor court. She is a member of the International Bar Association and the Nigeria Bar Association where she has held seven leadership positions particularly as Chairman of Disciplinary Committee. Abuja Branch of the NBA. She is a facilitator of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, teaching and lecturing at various levels of training programmed in Nigeria.

Enewa has served in various capacities in the private and public sectors; a member and Nigerian Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 1992, a member of the Nigerian Police Reform committee in 2008, a member of the Advisory Committee of Regina Avis Girls Secondary School, Abuja to name a few. She is passionate about litigation and advocacy. she has acted as counsel in various courts from the Federal/State High Courts and the National Industrial Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, representing clients involving oil and gas companies, property development companies, multinational corporations and governments. She has written and published several legal articles in domestic and international forums.

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Rosemond Phil Otihiwa Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa is an astute Corporate and Commercial Attorney who has garnered experience in providing legal advisory services to business owners and corporate clients for close to a decade.

Due to her passion for mentorship and continuous legal Education, She is the current Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Young Lawyers Forum, Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja and also hosts her Mentorship programme for Young Lawyers tagged #theyounglawyermentorshipseries which has hosted global thought leaders such as Mr Francisco Frank Ramos, Managing Partner Clarke Silvergate P.A, Mr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN amongst others.

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IN-HOUSE COUNSEL

W

e recognize these women who have earned themselves enviable positions in the legal departments of various great organizations. This list is not exhaustive and we recognize other women not listed here as well. Your dedication and sense of duty is commendable and we are glad to have you in the legal profession.

Fola Akande

Fola Akande is the Company Secretary at Cadbury Nigeria PLC A self-driven and highly competent professional with over 25 years of experience in managing legal, regulatory, corporate governance, and financial crime risks in local and international commercial markets. Exhibits high-performance standards, excellent, attention to detail working well with diverse teams through effective communication, strong interpersonal skills, and integrity.

Experience and thorough understanding of local operations in the context of global business perspectives is evident in a track record of exceptional project execution, legal & compliance risk management, and excellence in building and leading top-performing teams

Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi is the General Counsel/Company Secretary of AXA Mansard Insurance.

Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi joined Nigerian insurer Mansard in 2011 and has since navigated the company through all strategic cases and transactions, including the company’s $246m acquisition by AXA in 2014.

An experienced professional with vast knowledge and skill in all dimensions of corporate law, Adewusi has brought much needed vitality to the legal function, which is now capable of effortlessly directing AXA Mansard’s diverse business affairs.Highly valued by her senior business colleagues for her ability to provide creative solutions to challenges, Adewusi maintains an influential role in the wider company, which currently sees her lead both the legal and HR departments.

In this dual role, Adewusi is expected to implement decisions made by the board of directors and to ensure effective recruitment, learning and health and safety strategies, as well as full compliance with all laws and rules.

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Irene Robinson-Ayanwale Irene is currently the General Counsel and Head Legal Services Department of The Nigerian Stock Exchange. She is a hard working, committed, passionate and dedicated person, known for excellent analytical skills, extreme attention to details, and thoroughness. She is also very customer-centric and strives to keep abreast of technological advancements and developments not only in her profession but also in whichever business she serves. Her tenets are: to be God-fearing, consistent, driven, honest, full of integrity and excellence oriented.

In her personal capacity and as the Head of the Legal Team, She has won a couple of national and regional legal awards that include: Nigerian Rising Stars Award for Top 40, Under 40 Lawyers Who Would Shape The Legal Profession at the 2016 ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, Winner In-House Capital Market Team of the Year – 2016 and 2017 Esq Nigerian Legal Awards, Winner IT and Telecoms Team of the year – 2017 Esq Nigerian Legal Awards, Finalist for the In-House Legal Team of the Year (Large) – 2017 and 2018 African Legal Awards, Finalist for the In-House Legal Team of the Year for the 2017 and 2018 Law Digest African Awards

Wola Joseph Wola Joseph is the Chief Legal/Company Secretary, Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

Wola Joseph is an accomplished, forward-thinking, and resourceful legal professional with exceptional leadership abilities. She excels in building highly productive and motivated teams capable of delivering consistent and fully compliant services within demanding environments.

She demonstrates advanced skills in strategic planning, analytical thinking, and senior-level negotiation; making insightful recommendations to the Board level and showing the discretion and diplomacy required to align conflicting priorities.

Her recent achievements with Eko Electricity Distribution plc. include: ž Received a commendation from Eko Electricity Distribution plc. company board based on the exceptional performance delivered while on secondment to the role of Acting Chief of HR and Corporate Services ž Led a complete turnaround in the performance of Eko’s legal department which was recognised with a nomination for the Law Digest African Awards In-House Legal Dept. of the Year for Power & Natural Resources ž Received a personal nomination as General Counsel of the Year at the Law Digest African Awards

Ifedayo Iroche Ifedayo Iroche is the Senior Legal Counsel at Coca-Cola. Prior to joining Coca-cola, Ifedayo was the Head of Legal, Chi Nigeria.

Before then, She had worked with Perchstone & Graeys LP as an employment lawyer and later rose to the position of Practice Head of the Law firm.

Ifedayo has received several awards of excellence including the ESQ 40 under 40 awards.

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In-House Counsel

Afoma Ofodile A Commercial lawyer with 9 years of experience in business and project development, commercial operations, compliance, and risk management, complex contract drafting and negotiation, legal research and editing, corporate governance & legal entity management across the oil & gas, power, and industrial manufacturing sectors in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.

Also, a life-long learner and passionate about (and interested in opportunities to participate in) educating and empowering women across the African continent and finding ways to sustainably harness clean energy sources and reverse the detrimental effects of climate change.

Chinweaku Odigboegwu Odigboegwu joined Guinness Nigeria in February 2019 after leaving Nigerian Bottling Company - NBC (Coca-Cola Hellenic) where she was Head, Litigation and Dispute Resolution.

She also worked at a top-tier Commercial Law firm of Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I) where she rose through the ranks to become a Senior Associate and Team Leader of the Firm’s Litigation, Arbitration Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice Group, and supported its Intellectual Property, Energy (Oil & Gas), Maritime & International Trade, and Corporate, Securities & Finance Practice Groups.

Odigboegwu is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Notary Public for Nigeria, Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (CIArb), Accredited Mediator of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, UK (CEDR) and Certified Trainer in Mediation and Negotiation of the Bond University, Australia.

Chinwe is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), the Panel of Neutrals and Training Faculty of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC), Training Faculty of the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG) and the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates, UK (SCMA).

She is a recipient of prestigious awards including “ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, Top 40 Lawyers under 40”. Until her new appointment, she was the Senior Commercial Legal Manager in the company.

Nnenna Evelyn Eze Nnenna is the Legal Manager of First HydroCarbon Nigerian Company Limited and FHN 26 Limited.

Nnenna is a legal practitioner with vast professional experience in diverse areas of law and investment, particularly in Africa's largest economy. She acted as one of the Nigerian Counsel to a consortium of lenders in the US$1.79 billion syndicated acquisition financing of Oando Energy Resources, for the acquisition of ConocoPhillips' Nigeria’s upstream JV assets and interests in Brass LNG and the Kwale Okpai Independent power plant in Nigeria. She also worked as a core member of the legal teams that advised various investors on several high impact transactions in the Nigerian economy.

Nnenna was Senior Counsel at the law firm of Adepetun Caxton-Martins Agbor & Segun (ACAS-Law, a first tier law firm in Nigeria), and currently serves as Legal Adviser to FHN 26 Limited and Deputy Legal Manager to the OML 26 Asset Management Team for NPDC/FHN JV. In November 2018, Nnenna received a national award at the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards as one of Nigeria's Under 40 Rising Stars.

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In-House Counsel Uzoma Uja Uzoma Uja is the Chief Compliance Officerat Access Bank.

Prior to that She was Company Secretary/Legal Counsel at Diamond Bank, before then she was the Company Secretary/Legal Counsel at Lafarge Africa Plc. She was formerly the Team Leader in the Company Secretariat/Legal Department of First Inland Bank Plc (now FCMB) where she held several positions.

Olufunmilayo Adedibu Oluwafunmilayo Adedibu is the General Counsel/Company Secretary at First City Monument Bank Limited.

Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adedibu was appointed as the new Company Secretary and Group Legal Counsel of FCMB Group Plc, effective January 1st, 2014. A lawyer by profession, she has a wealth of experience in Legal practice and Banking.

She started her legal career with the Law firm of Adedipe and Adedipe, Legal Practitioners before joining the prestigious Law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co. Solicitors and Advocates, where she gained knowledge about Copyright and Patent laws. She began her banking career with Magnum Trust Bank and Fidelity Union Merchant Bank before joining First City Monument Bank in 1999 where she has served in various capacities.

She has over 22 years’ post-graduation experience and over 18 years of it has been in the banking industry with experience spanning Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Risk Management, Banking Operations and Group Legal Services Department in FCMB.

Franca Egwuekwe Franca Egwuekwe is the General Counsel & Company Secretary at NG Clearing Limited.

Mrs. Egwuekwe is an experienced law professional in corporate and commercial law practice.

As the General Counsel and Company Secretary of NG Clearing Limited, she is responsible for providing legal advice to the Board of Directors and Management. She communicates the legal perspective of any decision to the Board and Management, based on the company’s strategic objectives and industry peculiarities.

She also provides leadership for all regulatory affairs of the company to ensure that the company’s policies, business operations and relationships with regulators, clearing members and other stakeholders are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Prior to joining NG Clearing, she was a Senior Manager and the Head of Capital Market Unit in the Legal Services Department of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where she contributed immensely to a number of the Exchange’s key projects, including the Demutualization of the Exchange.

Uche Amanambu Uche Amanambu is the General Counsel/Company Secretary of MPNL Nigeria Limited.

Uche is an experienced Legal Counsel with a distinguished track record in leading complex transactions, managing and mitigating risks, controlling cost, adding substantial value to organizations and creating strong alliance to support key business activities.

In her role as Chief Legal Counsel (Ag.), She repositioned the legal function to more proactively anticipate the legal risk in the Company's operating environment while protecting, creating and enhancing stakeholder value. She has a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a training in Business Analysis, both of which I leverage to design and successfully implement business-focused legal solutions.

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In-House Counsel Iyiola Alokolaro-Oyefeso Iyiola Alokolaro-Oyefeso is the Group Head, Legal Services at AA&R Investment Group.

A Company Secretary and Legal Advisor with over 10 years proven experience in providing efficient company secretarial, legal, contractual, and regulatory compliance support to companies in various industries, particularly the oil and gas industry.

She is currently the Group Head Legal Services at AA&R Investment Group.

Adunola Akindele Adunola Akindele is the General Counsel and Company Secretary EchoStone Housing Nigeria Adunola is an experienced legal and compliance professional with exceptional analytical, stakeholder management and problem solving skills across different industries.

She is currently the General Counsel and Company Secretary of EchoStone Housing, Nigeria.

Before joining EchoStone in 2018, She was the head of the Corporate/Commercial Team of George Etomi & Partners.

She holds a master degree in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University, London.

Ngozi Giwa-Amu Ngozi is a seasoned and experienced legal professional with over 20 years experience covering areas such as litigation & arbitration, corporate governance, commercial law, and advisory services.

Currently, she is the Head Legal and Corporate Advisor of Seven Up Bottling Company where she is responsible for the organization’s overall corporate governance compliance, legal Advice, Draft & agreements & contracts review, liaising with regulatory bodies, legal services, formulate procedure for legal services, etc.

Prior to joining Seven Up Bottling Company, Ngozi was a Senior Counsel at the chambers of Chief Rotimi Williams in Lagos, Nigeria. While in this position, she was involved in Litigation, Arbitration, Legal Advice/Opinions, Alternate Dispute Resolution, preparing agreements & contracts, confidentiality agreements, memorandum of understanding, full Company Secretarial Services for quoted and private companies, mentoring Junior Counsel.

Uche Amanambu Uche Amanambu is the General Counsel/Company Secretary of MPNL Nigeria Limited.

Uche is an experienced Legal Counsel with a distinguished track record in leading complex transactions, managing and mitigating risks, controlling cost, adding substantial value to organizations and creating strong alliance to support key business activities.

In her role as Chief Legal Counsel (Ag.), She repositioned the legal function to more proactively anticipate the legal risk in the Company's operating environment while protecting, creating and enhancing stakeholder value. She has a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a training in Business Analysis, both of which I leverage to design and successfully implement business-focused legal solutions.

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In-House Counsel Adaobi Nwanze Adaobi Nwanze is the General Counsel of Landmark Group.

She performs oversight of statutory compliance matters in the different jurisdictions where the Landmark Group is operational in Africa. Developing and implementing corporate structures to facilitate investments of all types in the Group and proven expertise in all aspects of real estate acquisition, development and leasing on a multi-jurisdictional platform.

Before joining Landmark Group, She was an Associate Counsel at Streamsowers & Kohn where she provides legal advisory and company secretarial services to clients.

Adesua Dozie Adesua Dozie is Executive Director & General Counsel at Mobil Producing Nigeria She is an experienced General counsel who has the experience of acting as a trusted and purpose-driven legal advisor to multinational companies operating across Africa. In her previous role as General Counsel of GE Africa, She had the opportunity to advise, structure and lead transactions across the African continent, in turn facilitating regional growth, strengthening corporate governance and compliance cultures across diverse business communities, and serving as a guardian of the complex dynamics between purpose, profit and risk.

She has a firm belief in the power of the General Counsel and legal teams within multinational organisations to drive robust corporate governance across Africa thereby ensuring the sustainability of business and development of the communities in which business is done.

She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and believe that they are important business imperatives.

Adeola Olumeyan Adeola Olumeyan is the Assistant General Counsel and Company Secretary at Channels TV. She also heads the Legal and Compliance department. She manages the legal affairs of the Company and provides strategic legal advice on legal and compliance matters.

At Channels TV, Adeola is primarily responsible for company secretarial matters, corporate governance, regulatory and corporate filings, brand management, contract and commercial management including risk analysis/assessment/advice; due diligence, litigation and case management; policy drafting and developing egal Agreements for the various business relationships the Company may be involved in.

Her formal working career encompasses a comprehensive background and extensive experience in corporate and commercial law practice, corporate governance, compliance, legal and risk analysis/assessment, litigation, intellectual and real property, public speaking.

Prior to joining the Channels TV team, she successfully managed the portfolios of, and rendered legal advisory services to many Fortune 500 Companies. She has spoken and written both internationally and locally on trademark practice in Nigeria and has served in various leadership capacities of the International Trademark Association (INTA), where she was the first Nigerian to hold the position of Sub-committee Chair of the Association’s Legislation and Regulation Committee (LRC) for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa regions.

Adeola’s career in the legal space spans a period of over 17 years covering areas such as Corporate Law, Intellectual property and Corporate Governance.

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In-House Counsel Adewunmi Alode Adewunmi Alode is Lafarge Africa’s General Counsel and Company Secretary. She sports over thirteen (13) years hands-on experience in Company Secretariat, core legal, project management in onshore and off-shore contracts, legal advisory, claims and litigation management.

She was called to the bar at the prestigious Nigeria Law School, Abuja and also is a Chartered Secretary. She is currently undergoing her MBA studies at the Business School Netherlands. Adewunmi started her career at an indigenous law firm in Lagos and had a brief stint as Company Secretary with Unicorn Holdings, Lagos. She then joined Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria in 2008 as a Legal Officer.

Derin Adefulu Derin Adefulu is the Group Company Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer and Head of the Legal team at Old Mutual Nigeria. She is an experienced legal professional with expertise in Corporate Governance and her career spans in in-house legal and compliance with experience in Digital Marketing, Banking and currently in the Insurance sector.

In her various roles, she is responsible for the corporate governance framework in Old Mutual and provides effective oversight and implementation of the right compliance culture and drives adherence with and awareness of all regulatory requirements.

She is also responsible for the company’s secretarial, legal and property management. She has over 17 years’ experience gained in various roles including as a Solicitor in Union Bank of Nigeria Plc; Group Head Legal (including compliance) at Multibanc Savings & Loans Ltd; Head Legal and Corporate Affairs at Naijasounds limited; Associate at the leading law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie; and a brief stint as a Service Consultant at Halifax Bank of Scotland, UK.

Imomoemi Ibisiki

Imomoemi Ibisiki is the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Heritage Bank.

She is an outstanding corporate executive with profound expertise. She is currently the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Heritage Bank Plc.

She has a Masters degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law and a Masters in Business Administration (Finance).

Bunmi Agagu-Adu

Bunmi Agagu-Adu is the Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser at Eterna Plc .

Experienced General Counsel, Legal/Company Secretary with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & energy industry. She is currently the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser at Eterna Plc.

She is skilled in Negotiation, Dispute Resolution, Legal Writing, Corporate Commercial Law, and Intellectual Property. Strong legal professional with a Master of Science (MSc) focused in Corporate Governance from Leeds Beckett University.

Qualified Chartered Secretary from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, UK. She is a recipient of the ESQ 40 under 40 lawyers that would shape the future of the legal profession in Nigeria.

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In-House Counsel Olubusola Aigbogun Olubusola is the Head of Legal and Compliance at MBO Capital Management Limited.

Prior to joining MBO Capital, Olubusola was Head, Legal and Company Secretary of Verod Capital Management Ltd, an investment and advisory boutique based in Lagos. There, she managed the legal and compliance needs of the firm and it’s portfolio companies in diverse sectors including manufacturing, real estate and technology.

Previously, she had worked in private legal practice as a Senior Associate at Aboyade & Co and as Counsel at Olaniwun Ajayi LP where she advised clients on transactions of varying complexities as part of the specialized transactions practice and the Banking and Finance Practice.

Omowunmi ('Wunmi) Odejobi ‘Wunmi has she is popularly known, is a seasoned in-house counsel and excellent communicator, has the ability to effectively multitask and she is constantly seeking ways of improvement to meet the emerging challenges of any organization she finds herself in.

Currently, ‘Wunmi is the Head of Legal Department of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, a role she has served in for over 4 years. She has also served in a number roles in the same organization such as; Head of Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel where was responsible for setting up the structures in place for a robust legal department which today can boast of proactively addressing and reducing the Company’s risk exposure to a minimum. She was also responsible for ensuring compliance with existing legislation in all departments of the organization, ensuring the Company and relevant staff have knowledge and compliance of newly enacted laws as it affects the Company and its processes and providing legal advice to management as well as proffering solutions.

Ayotola Jagun Ayotola is an experienced lawyer with 29 years of experience at the Nigerian Bar and a specialist in Corporate Law, Compliance, Corporate Governance and Risk Management. She has spent most of her legal career working across various jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Bermuda and Nigeria.

She started her career with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Prior to joining Oando, she also worked as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Capital G Limited, a financial services Group based in Bermuda. She has worked with other notable companies including Akzo Nobel Plc and PricewaterhouseCoopers in the United Kingdom. She was formerly Senior Corporate, Risk & Control Manager at Citigroup in Bermuda from January 2007 to August 2008 and Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary of Sara Lee UK Holdings Limited (formerly PLC) from 2002 to 2007, where she manages cross border corporate transactions, acquisitions and restructurings across several jurisdictions.

Currently, Ayotola serves as the Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary of Oando Plc, a position she assumed and served from 2011 till date.

Ayotola has a passion for anti-corruption compliance and corporate governance. She is a member of the Institute of Directors (Nigeria) Committee on Independent Directors, Chairs the Corporate Governance and Compliance Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law and is a member of Council and Head of the External Relations Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum. She also heads the Equality in Law focal group of the Nigerian Economic Summit Groups’ Community of Practice on Gender and she serves as a Trustee of several NGO’s.

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In-House Counsel Folake Akinlose Folake Akinlose is a Manager, Legal & Governance at Axxela based in Lagos, Lagos.

Previously, Folake was a Legal Advisor at Oando.

Legal Advisor with over 14 years experience in the oil, gas and power sectors. Articulate and technically sound, with strong inter-personal and listening skills gained from project experience and working efficiently with other members within different teams.

Highly experienced in the area of drafting, reviewing and negotiating various industry agreements (PSCs, JVAs, JOAs etc.); actively involved farm-in transactions to acquire interests in marginal fields within Nigeria; actively involved in various mergers and aquisitions (M&A); drafting and negotiating Gas Sales and Purchase Agreements (GSPA), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs); preparing legal opinions on various issues affecting the company’s business and risk analysis and management.

Bidemi Ademola

Bidemi Ademola is a General Counsel West Africa & Company Secretary Unilever Nigeria Plc. at Unilever at Unilever West Africa Corporate Counsel & Governance Professional with work experience spanning over 24 years of Corporate and Commercial Law practice in Nigeria and more recently in West Africa Region. Her forte is identifying existing and emerging legal, compliance, transactional and corporate governance risks to business and developing mitigating solutions.

Bidemi is passionate about Business, Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance and aspires to use the experience garnered over her career life as in-house counsel within a multinational FMCG organization to co-lead a dynamic business organization with high ethical values. Bidemi is a God lover and is married to her best friend Adeboye and blessed with 3 lovely children. Her life goal is to make a positive difference everyday.

Jennifer Martins-Okundia

Jennifer Martins-Okundia is a General Counsel at Rand Merchant Bank. She is an experienced Finance Lawyer with a demonstrated history of working in the Banking and legal services industry. Skilled in Banking, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and commercial Law, and Compliance. She bagged an LLM focused in Banking & Finance Law from Queen Mary, U. of London.

Before joining Rand Merchant Bank, She was a Senior Associate at Aluko & Oyebode where provided legal and advisory services to clients in Capital Market transactions including Mergers and Acquisitions, Right Issues and Debt and Equity Capital Raising in both the Nigerian and International Capital Markets.

Temitayo Adegoke

Temitayo Adegoke is the Chief Legal Counsel & Company Secretary of Sterling Bank She began her career at Aluko & Oyebode as an Associate and rose to become a Senior Associate before she left in 2012. She served as Advisor to significant financial transactions involving key players in Financial Services, Telecoms and Oil & Gas. She joined First Bank as a Team Lead and rose to become the Unit Head of Corporate and Contracts Unit of the Legal Department and was also responsible for offering Legal Advisory and Support.

Most recently, she was the General Counsel and Company Secretary of Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited with responsibilities such as mitigating and managing legal risks; offering legal advisory on credits and transactional structures; structuring contracts; ensuring compliance with corporate governance and oversight of the company secretariat. She is a Member, International Bar Association; Associate Member, Nigerian Leadership Initiative; Associate member, Chartered Institute of Taxation; Member, Nigerian Bar Association and Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).

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In-House Counsel Elizabeth Ifeoma Uba-Onubogu Elizabeth Ifeoma Uba-Onubogu is the Head Legal & Compliance, NASD OTC Securities Exchange, General Counsel, NASD OTC Securities Exchange.

Ifeoma is responsible for the strategic guidance and direction of NASD’s Legal team and for providing effective leadership to ensure that NASD’s policies, business operations, and its relationships with regulators, its members, issuers, and other stakeholders are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. She also has responsibility for regulating the two primary stakeholder groups of NASD, i.e. Participating Institutions and Admitted Companies that have listed securities on NASD. Ifeoma is a skilled lawyer with extensive experience in Corporate and Commercial Law with particular focus on corporate finance practice and capital market transactions including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt issues, private placements, due diligence, transaction structuring and other forms of corporate and business restructuring. She has successfully closed out on a number of complex corporate finance transactions.

Prior to joining NASD, Ifeoma worked in a reputable law firm for about 6 years where she rose to Head the Corporate Finance Practice. She is also a consummate Company Secretary and Governance Professional and possesses in-depth knowledge and extensive practical experience in these areas. She has served as Company Secretary to a number of public and private organizations and advises both multinational organizations and startups across different industries on the legal and regulatory framework for conducting business in Nigeria.

Olawunmi Abiodun Olawunmi Abiodun is the General Counsel and Vice President at Verod Capital Management Limited.

She has worked with several international organisations before joining Verod Capital in 2010.

She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004 and bagged a masters of law in International and European law (with specialisation in International Trade and Investment law) from the University of Amsterdam in 2007.

Adedoyin Pearse Adedoyin Pearse is the General Counsel and Company Secretary for Siemens Nigeria, the local affiliate of the multinational power generation and distribution company, Siemens AG. She obtained an LL.M in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Dundee in Scotland and a Masters in Legal Technology and Innovation from the IE Law School in Madrid in Spain.

Her career in the taxation and oil and gas practice groups began when she was an Associate at Law Union. To expand her knowledge on business operations, she transitioned from law practise into consulting, working in the tax teams of both Ernst & Young and then Deloitte Nigeria.

Oluwatoyin Nathaniel Oluwatoyin Nathaniel is the Vice President / Senior Legal Counsel at InfraCredit.

Oluwatoyin is the Senior Legal Counsel at InfraCredit. She is an experienced legal professional with 13 years' post-qualification experience in corporate finance, project finance and publicprivate partnerships.

She possesses significant experience leading and advising on infrastructure deals and other large and complex Nigerian and cross-border transactions. She possessed LL. M (with distinction) from University College London.

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In-House Counsel Lara Coker Lara is the General Counsel at Shoreline Natural Resources, managing legal and external communications for the Nigerian exploration company, Lara Coker is praised for her strong business acumen. For some, one of her greatest achievements at Shoreline has been her move to firmly embed legal into the decision-making process at an earlier stage.

Throughout her varied career, Coker has continually proven her versatility and capacity to master complex technical issues. She previously provided regulatory advice to diverse businesses across Arthur Andersen (now KPMG) and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Adeola Olumeyan Adeola is the Assistant General Counsel and Company Secretary of Channels Television. She also heads the Legal and Compliance department.

She manages the legal affairs of the Company and provides strategic legal advice on legal and compliance matters. Adeola is primarily responsible for company secretarial matters, corporate governance, regulatory and corporate filings, brand management, contract and commercial management including risk analysis/assessment/advice; due diligence, litigation and case management; policy drafting and developing legal Agreements for the various business relationships the Company may be involved in.

She also trains and organizes training for Staff on legal and compliance matters. She ensures the Company is kept abreast of all relevant legislations (including draft Bills) that may affect the Company.

Oyinlola Adebayo

Oyinlola is the General Counsel at the Consolidated Discount House Limited [CDL] currently managing a competitive sale process to maximize value while ensuring minimal disruptions to the day-to-day operations of the Company.

An organized individual and team player with multilayered management and customer service skills.

She holds an LLM from Osgoode Law School - York University and is a Fellow of the Institute for Chartered Secretaries & Administrators as well as a Chartered Arbitrator with the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (UK) .

She has developed an expertise in law, administration, and resource management with a particular emphasis on documentation and records keeping. She has led various teams on diverse projects ranging from training and personal development to implementation of new policies and organizational structures.

Ifeoma Utah Ifeoma Utah is the General Counsel of MTN Nigeria Plc. Licensed to practice law in Nigeria and the state of New York, with a Masters degree in international transactions. Ifeoma Utah heads a 22-man in-house team at MTN. Utah was General Counsel/ Compliance Officer at Cornerstone Insurance Plc from 2014 until she joined MTN as General Counsel in 2017.

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In-House Counsel Pauline Saleh-Ogebe Pauline is the Head of Legal services and compliance at FBN General Insurance Ltd. Prior to joining FBN General Insurance, She was a senior counsel at Olaniwun Ajayi LP.

Dahiru Rukayat Mrs. Dahiru is the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser/Legal Adviser at Jaiz Bank Plc. She has over twenty (20) years post-call experience, eleven (11) of which were acquired in the Financial Services Industry, (3 years in Insurance and 8 years in the Banking Sector).

She joined Jaiz Bank as the pioneer Company Secretary and Legal Adviser in 2012, and recognizing her experience and competence in the Corporate Governance sphere, the Board immediately thrust on her the responsibility for designing the Board’s Governance Framework.

Consequently, one of her notable accomplishments in the Bank was that she designed the Board and Board Committee Charters that were eventually approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2013.

Olubukola Olateru Olubukola is the General Counsel at FrieslandCampina WAMCO. A dynamic business lawyer, Chartered Secretary,Governance and Compliance Professional with professional experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating international legal instruments. Olubukunola (Bukky) helps FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc win in the marketplace by identifying and mitigating legal and reputational opportunities and risks for the Company.

Well presented and highly personable, possessing excellent organizational skills, and being highly proficient and methodical with a good eye for detail. Currently a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Mrs. Kofo Olokun-Olawoyin Mrs Kofo Olokun-Olawoyin is the Company Secretary of Transcorp She obtained an LL.B. degree from the University of Lagos and possesses a Masters’ Degree in European Union Business and Taxation Law from the Université de Cergy-Pontoise in France and another Masters’ Degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Dundee.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of the Chartered Governance Institute, United Kingdom and the Institute of Credit Administration Nigeria. Kofo has over a decade of active legal practice and experience covering Cross-Border Financing Transactions, Company Secretarial Services, Energy, Telecommunications, Corporate Finance, Banking and Finance, Project Finance, Public-Private Partnerships and Legal Advisory Services. Prior to joining Transcorp, she worked at Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (Eko DisCo) where she led the Legal Advisory and Contracts Unit of the Legal Department. She has also worked in two of Nigeria’s top tier Commercial Law Firms – Banwo & Ighodalo and Paul Usoro & Co.

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In-House Counsel Chiamaka Okeke Chiamaka Okeke is Group Head Legal Counsel/Company Secretariat, African Industries Group.

An accomplished, analytical and result-oriented legal professional with over 14 years of experience in a myriad of legal functions ranging from corporate governance/restructuring, commercial transactions/business advisory to regulatory compliance.

Adept at providing solutions to complex transactions, fostering and managing business relationships and providing innovative legal solutions within the ambit of cost effectiveness while minimizing organizational risk exposures. Driven to realizing the attainment of organizational goals with a high level of integrity, tact and a deep respect for confidentiality and authority.

Rita Aibengowe

Rita is the head, Legal and Compliance Department at Afrinvest Securities Limited. She has over 9 years’ experience covering Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Energy & Natural Resources, Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking and Project Finance.

Prior to joining Afrinvest, she worked at CardinalStone Partners Limited as the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser. She also gained considerable professional experience working within the Corporate and Commercial Departments of various Law Firms within Nigeria.

Rita possesses an LL.B in Law from the University of Ilorin and an LL.M in Law from the University of Lagos. She is equally a student member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration of Nigeria as well as the Professional Negotiators and Mediators of Nigeria.

Vivian Osayande

Vivian Osayande is a highly experienced legal professional with over 17 years’ experience and highly skilled in Corporate Law, Legal and Joint Ventures.

She is the Head of Legal, Novartis Asia- Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMA) operations where she leads significant litigation, arbitration and investigation across the Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa region. She is also the lead lawyer responsible for legal transactions such as for transactions Negotiation, Contracting and Alliance management.

Prior to joining Novartis, she was a Senior Associate at Templars and Dispute Resolution counsel at the famous Afe Babalola SAN & co. law firm in Ibadan.

Vivian has executive leadership experience across Pharmaceutical, FMCG and Tech industries and she is very passionate about cracking complex situations, Conflict management, Negotiation, Transformational leadership and Design thinking.

Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi

Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi is a seasoned professional with a solid background and practical experience in Corporate Law. She is a strategic and analytical thinker who provides creative solutions to work challenges she is presently the Company Secretary and General Legal Counsel at AXA Mansard Insurance Plc where her core function includes liaising with The Board of Directors, Management, Internal & External Customers and Shareholders of the Company.

Prior to joining AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, she served as Company Secretary/ Head of Corporate Services at WSTC Financial Services Limited, Corporate and Compliance Legal Officer at Etisalat Nigeria, and a Senior Associate at Strachan Partners.

Omowunmi has over 17 years’ experience in Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, Negotiation and Legal Compliance.

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In-House Counsel Augusta Onyenekwe Augusta Onyenekwe is a Legal Counsel with over 10 years’ experience in Corporate Law. She is highly articulate and technically enhanced with strong interpersonal and listening skills gained from Corporate Transactions and effectively working with a team.

She has a demonstrated history of high engagements in robust Contract Negotiation, Corporate Commercial Transactions (Project Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions), Company Secretarial, Regulatory & Compliance, Contract Administration & Management towards the settlement of various dispute.

Augusta Onyenekwe is the current Head of Legal & Compliance at Head, Legal & Compliance at Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC). Prior to this, she was the Legal Advisor & Company secretary at internet Solutions Nigeria Limited and a Commercial Legal Consultant at MTN Nigeria.

Akudo Nweke Akudo is a legal professional with over 18 years of legal experience in areas such as Corporate Governance, Commercial Litigation & Arbitration, Alternative Dispute Registration and Business Strategy.

She is the current Company Secretary and Head of Legal at Platform Capital Investment Partners. In the past, she has served as Company Secretary of other organizations such as Duport Midstream Company Limited and Atlantic Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.

Akudo was also an Associate and Senior Associate at Templars, which is one of Nigeria’s foremost Law firms.

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DIASPORA Nwabueze Nwokolo Nwabueze Nwokolo is a Nigerian United Kingdom based lawyer who is a council member at Law Society of England and Wales; including being a director and board chair of Great Britain's Black Solicitors Network, the largest membership organisation of its kind in Europe.

Nwokolo is a member of Law Society of England and Wales' Minority Ethnic Concerns Group.

Also, she sits on the RAB: Regulatory Affairs Board of the Law Society.

Nwokolo is a humanitarian, multiculturalist and better family plus social justice advocate; as well as a mediation, philanthropy, nonprofit, servant leadership, community development, peacebuilding, equality, tolerance, inclusion and diversity expert.

In November 2011, Nwokolo contributed to the Judicial Appointments Process in the House of Lords of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Yetunde Dania Yetunde Dania is a Partner at Trowers and Hamlins. Yetunde has over 20 years' experience of advising social housing sector and private sector landlords and their agents in relation to housing management and residential landlord and tenant non-contentious issues and disputes.

In the social housing sector Yetunde has immense experience of providing advice on the wide spectrum of housing law issues, devising strategies for progressing cases in the most cost efficient manner, dealing with injunction and possession matters related to serious breaches of tenancy due to, for example, the most serious forms of anti-social and criminal behaviour, hoarding, unauthorised works by tenants to their property, subletting, tenancy fraud, failed succession and associated complicating factors such as mental health and Equality Act issues.

Yetunde also defends landlords in private prosecutions in the Magistrates' court where it is alleged premises are prejudicial to health or amount to a statutory nuisance, she advises landlords where tenants allege they have breached their repair obligations.

Elizabeth Uwaifo Elizabeth Uwaifo is an English qualified lawyer and Managing Partner of Asafo & Co. (London) Ltd., an affiliate office of Asafo & Co. She has over 30 years’ experience advising banks, corporates, government and nongovernment entities on a wide variety of areas including derivatives, structured and other finance transactions, bilateral and syndicated loan agreements, capital markets transactions and investment products.

Since 2014 Elizabeth has been Managing Partner of Radix Legal and Consulting Ltd. (now Asafo and Co. (London) Ltd.) and focused on making available to African markets and transactions the best standards, practices and techniques employed in structured finance and derivatives transactions at leading law firms in London’s financial district.

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Funke Abimbola Funke AbImbola is a multi-award winning C-suite healthcare executive, Board advisor, BBC commentator, Diversity and Inclusion Leader, Lawyer and Speaker.

She is advocating for diversity across UK society with a specific focus on the legal profession.

Abimbola attended Newcastle University to study law. She had a son while working with Campbell Hooper.

Abimbola is a strong advocate of corporate and social diversity. As a public speaker and legal practitioner, she was recognised and won many awards for her work. In 2013 she was featured in Diversity League Table publication as one of the Black Solicitors.

In 2014, she was nominated for a National Diversity Award, and in the same year she was nominated for the Law Society Excellence Awards. In 2015, she won a Positive Role Model Award. In 2010, she was appointed governor of Uxbridge College, London, on a four-year term.

She received a 'Point of Light' award from the UK Prime Minister in October 2016, recognising the impact of her voluntary diversity work in the UK. In June 2017, she was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by HM Queen Elizabeth II for services to diversity in the legal profession and to young people.

Hamza-Bassey Beatrice Beatrice Hamza-Bassey is a Partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP. Ms. Hamza-Bassey joined Hughes as a first-year associate gaining experience in class action, product liability, and multi-district securities litigation.

During her stint as chair of Hughes Hubbard’s Associate Task Force on Diversity, Multicultural Law magazine ranked the firm #1 in diversity among the nation’s top 100 law firms, and the firm was rated by a Harvard Law study as the #1 New York law firm providing opportunities to women.

Ms. Hamza-Bassey received her L.L.B. from the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria, her Bachelors of Law from Nigeria Law School, and her L.L.M. from Harvard Law School.

Lara Oyesanya

Lara Oyesanya is Contis’ first General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer. Before joining Contis, Lara was previously at Klarna Bank AB, the successful Swedish ‘buy now pay later’ fintech where, as UK Counsel and Legal Director, where she led the acquisition of Close Brothers Retail Finance.

Lara is a highly regarded member of the in-house legal practice and has advised FTSE listed companies including Barclays Bank plc, BAE Systems plc, HBOS plc, RAC plc and Lex Autolease. She was named Businesswoman and Corporate Leader of the Year 2018 by Forward Ladies.

Lara is a Non-Executive Director, Plan International UK, a Contributing Editor, Lexis Nexis Encyclopaedia of Banking Law, an External Member of the Committee on Benefactions, External and Legal Affairs, University of Cambridge and a Member of the Consulting Editorial Board, LexisPSL©. Lara regularly speaks at conferences on legal, diversity and inclusion.

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Uduak Oduok Uduak is a Fashion & Entertainment Lawyer at FASHIONENTLAW, Sacramento, California, Unioted Stateswhere she practices her trade in Fashion Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business Law, Entertainment Law and Trials. She is also an Adjunct Professor at The Academy of Art University, San Francisco Bay Area from 2019 till date where she teaches courses on Social Media Law & Ethics, Data Analytics and Content Development. She has also been involved in lots of consultancy services and Publishing work with the Ladybrille Magazine,a digitsl publication that celebrates the brilliant women in Business, Leadership and African fashion.

Uduak also served as a Publisher and Producer at The African Music Law, Sacramento, California from 2011 till date where she is involved in publishing, production and hosting of The African Music Law show, a podcast show empoweringartists through brilliant music business and entertainment law commentary and analysis, industry news, and exclusive interviews.

Prof. Emilia Onyema Prof. Emilia Onyema is a Professor in International Commercial Law at SOAS, University of London. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; qualified to practice law in Nigeria; and as a Solicitor in England & Wales. She sits as an independent arbitrator and has experience as sole, presiding and co arbitrator. She is a member of the court of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) and the Lagos Court of Arbitration, the Advisory Committee of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) and she presides over the Advisory Committee of the Libya Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.

She is also a member of various professional associations including the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association. She convenes the “SOAS Arbitration in Africa” conference series; publishes the Arbitration in Africa survey and co-author of the African Promise. She has published widely on arbitration related issues.

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TOP WOMEN IN LEGAL TECH

W

e commend the boldness and tenacity of these women of great intelligence who have taken it upon themselves to explore the uncharted world of legal technology. Your contributions are of immense value to the legal profession.

This list is not exhaustive as there are a host of other great women who are very successful in this field.

Rhoda Obi-Adigwe Rhoda is the Director, Legal and Operations at AnthonyRhodes.

She is also a programmer and a solution architect. She is the founder of WeMora. WeMora is a body set up in Nigeria to give women a digital platform to access vital legal support.

The organisation aims to bring justice to abuse victims and has so far managed to process an average of 90 domestic violence survivors per month.

Women have also been supported with issues including inheritance, child custody and divorce.

She was a Winner of the 2016 HIIL Innovating Justice, Hague Netherlands.

Odunoluwa Longe She left a career in investment banking to found the first startup-focused law practice in Nigeria.

She also co-founded DIYlaw, a leading legal-tech startup in Africa.

Recently, She took up the challenge of building the West Africa Hub of the HiiL Justice Accelerator.

Funkola Odeleye Funkola is the CEO and Co-founder of DIYLaw.ng.

Her career has spanned, corporate & commercial law firm practice, in-house counsel and compliance in investment banking and entrepreneurship.

She is a 2020 Cartier Women's Initiative Fellow, a 2019 Obama Africa Leader and a HiiL Innovating Justice 2015 Fellow.

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Top Women in Legal Tech Kelechi Achinonu Kelechi is a Technology Lawyer, Stategist and Product Manager.

She is the founder of Techlawyered. Kelechi is a legal technologist who can write codes.

She is the Operations Associate (West Africa) at HiiL.

Rahila Olu-Silas Rahila is a Legislative Drafter with the Office of the Attorney-General of Plateau State, Nigeria. She also heads the Legal Unit of Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Nigeria.

She is skilled in drafting legal instruments and very passionate about Legal Technology, Automation of Government processes, Policy implementation, Open Government, Public Private Partnership and Research.

She is currently researching on Machine Consumable Legislation.

Adejoke Are Adejoke is currently the Special Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State on Legal Matters. She also co-found, the Flemer Project.

The Flemer Project gives hope to pre-trial detainees in Nigerian prisons by helping to conclude their cases as quickly as possible in court through the help of bright and capable young Nigerian lawyers.

Oluwatosin Amusan Oluwatosin is a Product Development Attorney at Spleet. Before then, she was the Product Development Lead at Mylaw.ng.

She is an experienced Attorney and Product Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the legal- tech and prop-tech services industry.

Skilled in Agile Methodology, Design Thinking, User Research, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Business Relationship Management.

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Top Women in Legal Tech

Faith Obafemi

Faith is the head of strategy at Future-Proof Intelligence. She is an international tech lawyer, involved in emerging technologies. Her legal practice is essentially virtual (cloud practicing.)

My law practice areas revolve around legal technology, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Smart Contracts, and ICO. She is also a board member of the Black Women Blockchain Council.

Tolulope Osindero Tolulope Omoleye-Osindero Head of Legal and Compliance at Branch Tolulope leads the legal team at Branch.

For over a decade, she has advised on regulatory strategy, financing, and M&A for financial and technology companies.

She has a MSc. in Law and Finance from Queen Mary University of London and accolades from the IFLR and Chambers and Partners.

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Interview

GENDER EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE Mrs Funke Adekoya SAN, Partner, AELEX ESQ Team had a conversation with Mrs. Funke Adekoya SAN. The learned silk was quizzed on the issues of gender equality in the workplace. She took us down memory lane and provided viable ways to achieve gender equality in the workplace with an emphasis on the legal profession.

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As a female learned silk with quantifiable years of experience in the legal profession can you tell us what the role of women has been in the development of the legal profession in Nigeria?

Akingbein] was also called in 1952 and became the first female judge in Nigeria when she was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in in 1969. In 1978, Victoria Ayodele Uzoamaka Onejeme I think that women have [called in 1965] became the contributed significantly to first female to become an the development of the Attorney General in the whole profession considering that of Nigeria, with Mrs. Hairat women joined the legal profession in Nigeria less than Aderinsola Balogun [called in 1963] becoming the second 100 years ago when in 1935 Stella Jane Marke became the woman to be appointed Attorney General in the first woman in Africa to be country and the first to be called to the bar. This was nearly 50 years after the first appointed in Lagos State in 1984. Justice Aloma Mariam lawyer in Nigeria [Sapara Williams] was called to the bar Mukhtar (called in 1967)marked the entrance of in 1886. women on the Nigerian Supreme Court in 2009 and Most of the women who joined the legal profession in became our first female Chief Justice in 2012. the earlier years opted for a career in government legal service and the judicial bench. This contribution to the development of the legal As we are celebrating profession in the judicial International Women's Day, permit me to highlight some sector has not been the preserve of the first generation of our achievements in this of women lawyers however. sector. Stella Marke became the first female magistrate in Justice Roseline Ukeje (called in 1971) rose to become the Nigeria in 1943. Mrs Gloria Jackman was called to the bar first [and only] female Chief Judge of the Federal High in 1952 and became the first Court in 2001, while Justice woman to become the Chief Zainab Bulkachuwa who was Registrar of the Supreme called to the bar in 1976, in Court. Late Justice Mrs 2014 became the first female Modupe Omo-Eboh [nee

Although our constitution prohibits the gender-based discrimination which underpins the objective of Goal 5, we have paid lip service to this in many respects. We had the 30% policy on women representation in government appointments by the previous administration which has since been abandoned. As a profession though, members of FIDA have especially been active in campaigning against rape and domestic abuse and pushing to eliminate child, early and forced marriage. www.esq-law.com

judge to serve as the President of the Court of Appeal.

We may not have contributed so effectively In the realm of private legal practice however.

It took quite a number of years before Mrs Hairat Aderinsola Balogun became the first female General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1981, the same year in which her 1962 call mate became the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Ten years later, we had the first and only female president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dame Priscilla Kuye, who was called to the bar in 1967.

The world all over has ensured inclusion policy and gender equality. One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, goal 5 is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. How can you rate Nigeria in the bid of trying to achieve this goal using the legal profession as example?

I think Nigeria has done well in some aspects but more still needs to be done, as we have actually fallen behind in others. Although our constitution prohibits the gender-based discrimination which underpins the objective of Goal 5, we have paid lip service to this in many respects. We had the 30% policy on women representation in government appointments by the previous administration which has since been abandoned. As a profession though, members of FIDA have especially been active in campaigning against rape and domestic abuse and Esq Legal Practice | 129

Interview

We presently have “federal character” enshrined in our constitution supposedly to ensure that all parts of the country are equally represented in government. In that context, the allocation of a certain percentage of positions [not roles] to women in order to ensure equal representation would not be unwelcome.

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pushing to eliminate child, early and forced marriage.

They campaigned vigorously for the successful enactment of the Violence Against Persons [Prohibition]Act, I constantly remind myself that 'it's a marathon, not a sprint.'

Some proponents have argued that the issue is not Gender equality but gender equity. What do you think should be the stand in ensuring that no human is marginalized?

I agree that gender equity is the issue – and gender equity results from equally unfettered access to education.

Financial restrictions at a family level often results in education of the girl child being suppressed in favor of sending the boy child to school. Where funds are low the girl child is often withdrawn from school to allow resources be concentrated on male children who are perceived to be future breadwinners. This is an area that governments at all levels need to focus on. Raising families out of poverty is the first step in ensuring gender equity.

Do you think women should be given fair grounds to compete with men or that institutions should just allocate certain roles to women?

I think a combination of both would be fair. We presently have “federal character” enshrined in our constitution supposedly to ensure that all parts of the country are equally represented in government. In that context, the allocation of a certain percentage of positions [not www.esq-law.com

One factor that stops women from achieving their full potential in the workplace [both private sector and public sector] is the lack of adequate childcare facilities in the workplace. In this respect I am proud to say that AELEX has addressed this position by maintaining a crèche where our new mothers can leave their babies during working hours. Government should initiate labour regulations that mandate any workplace employing more than 50 people [not women] to provide creche facilities either onsite or offsite for its staff. roles] to women in order to ensure equal representation would not be unwelcome.

Within that percentage allocation there should then be a transparent competition among the women for appointment to that role.

post maternity leave because their minds are on the babies that they have left at home with unregulated nannies and child minders.

What roles do the NBA and FIDA play in ensuring gender equality and inclusion in Nigeria?

Moving forward, what should be the principles or policies to be put in place in the 21st century workplace to ensure gender equality and inclusion?

What roles do they play, or should they play? Both have advocacy roles to play – after all, women's rights are human rights! FIDA is to be commended in this regard; they have constantly highlighted issues requiring gender equity and inclusion.

They have specially focused on adequate representation of women in government. The NBA has a Women's Forum which is committed to the well being of women globally in order to eliminate gender inequality. The Forum has not however been as publicly active as it should be in this respect. In line with the IWD 2021 campaign theme: “#ChooseToChallenge”, the NBA Women's Forum should do more to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality, in addition to seeking out and celebrating our achievements.

One factor that stops women from achieving their full potential in the workplace [both private sector and public sector] is the lack of adequate childcare facilities in the workplace. In this respect I am proud to say that AELEX has addressed this position by maintaining a crèche where our new mothers can leave their babies during working hours. Government should initiate labour regulations that mandate any workplace employing more than 50 people [not women] to provide creche facilities either onsite or offsite for its staff. To organisations that believe this is an increased overhead cost, I ask them to see the business case involved. It ensures that they retain the valuable staff that they have spent funds training, who would otherwise leave or be underproductive on return to work

We do not need more laws – we need to work on changing the societal norms that either act as roadblocks to a woman's full participation in all areas of life, or which refuse to acknowledge the extent of such contributions when made.

In your experience do you think women are being given enough opportunity in leadership in Nigeria?

It depends. In the business / private sector, women have risen to leadership positions in various areas – we have had women Chairmen and CEOs of banks and insurance companies, women have been Group Executive Directors of NNPC etc. These are positions based purely on competence.

In the political space however, where many positions are by selection, we are yet to allow women to reach their true potential.

What do you think should be done or improved upon if we are to have a gender balanced world?

We need to focus on issues /efforts that will reduce infant mortality and enhance maternal health; ensure all Do you think we may need more States enact the Child Rights laws or institutional frameworks to have a gender equal workplace in Law and then promote its enforcement, educate against Nigeria? cultural norms that detract Esq Legal Practice | 131

Interview

Many women leave private practice for roles as in-house counsel or government service when they marry, due to the longer and sometimes irregular working hours in law firms. It does not make economic sense for law firms to invest time, energy, funds and resources in training young female associates, only for them to leave after they start raising a family. Law firms should do what we in AELEX did – make the working environment conducive for young mothers by providing day-care facilities for employees’ children. from women's full participation in organized economic activities and actively promote and support the participation of women in politics and government.

longer and sometimes irregular working hours in law firms. It does not make economic sense for law firms to invest time, energy, funds and resources in training young female associates, only A lot of people believe that women for them to leave after they don't support women, do you start raising a family. Law share this opinion and how do you firms should do what we in think women can improve in this AELEX did – make the area and work together to put in working environment place structures for gender equality and inclusion. conducive for young mothers by providing day-care I do not support this opinion. facilities for employees' There are so many women's children. And COVID-19 has groups and organisations that taught us that Working From provide support for women Home and flexible working is through mentoring, training a realistic option. Post Covid, and other forms of support, law firms should embrace that networking and option for young mothers as encouragement. WIMBIZ and well.

WISCAR [ Women in Successful Careers] are two What challenges did you face when you first entered the legal that come easily to mind – industry? How did you overcome perhaps because I am this? involved with both of them!

My main challenge when I first qualified was the realisation that the saying 'no ladies at the bar' was untrue.

Certain types of work was reserved for men; women Many women leave private were constantly briefed in practice for roles as in-house matrimonial law and counsel or government service employment law disputes. when they marry, due to the Complex transactions and What do you suggest law firms can do to increase inclusivity and encourage discussions on the matter. Does team building work, for example?

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complex commercial disputes was 'men's work'. After thirty years in practice I finally decided that I had had enough and started refusing such briefs. I knew the type of work that I wanted to do and had trained for, and if I needed a male lawyer to get into that type of work, so be it. Hence the formation of AELEX, a merger of my disputes practice with firms that could get me the type of disputes that I wanted to be involved in.

14. From the moment you graduated university, what is the most important lesson you have learnt about the legal sector?

Having graduated both from a Nigerian and an American university, Unfortunately the lesson that I have learnt from over 45 years of practice in Nigeria is not a pleasant one. I have learnt that change in Nigeria occurs at the speed of the glacier – so slowly that you cannot see it moving. I have learnt that while in other countries, the law constantly 13. What has been your adapts and is developed proudest achievement so far? through case law to meet the For me, my proudest requirements and needs of the achievement [so far] was my times, this is not the case in invitation to join the World Nigeria. Our judges and we Bank Group Sanctions Board lawyers are generally unable in 2014. The Sanctions Board or unwilling to be imaginative is an independent or creative enough to meet administrative tribunal that modern day demands for serves as the final decisionjustice. Law reports recite the maker in all contested cases of same legal principles sanctionable misconduct [ verbatim, giving the corruption, fraud etc] by impression that nothing in contractors and consultants Nigeria has changed since engaged in development Vaswani v Savalakh. The projects financed by the World inability for our judicial Bank Group. To be the first system to rapidly embrace Nigerian to be invited to join technology during the Covidthe seven member board was 19 lockdown is a case in point. a great honour and an Immediately after the unsolicited testimony to one's lockdown ceased, virtual ethical credentials. I served online hearings [used in the the then maximum of 2 terms main only for Rulings and of 3 years each and left the Judgments] disappeared. board in November 2020.

I have learnt that change in Nigeria occurs at the speed of the glacier – so slowly that you cannot see it moving. I have learnt that while in other countries, the law constantly adapts and is developed through case law to meet the requirements and needs of the times, this is not the case in Nigeria. www.esq-law.com

For me, my proudest achievement [so far] was my invitation to join the World Bank Group Sanctions Board in 2014. The Sanctions Board is an independent administrative tribunal that serves as the final decisionmaker in all contested cases of sanctionable misconduct [corruption, fraud etc] by contractors and consultants engaged in development projects financed by the World Bank Group. To be the first Nigerian to be invited to join the seven member board was a great honour and an unsolicited testimony to one’s ethical credentials. I served the then maximum of 2 terms of 3 years each and left the board in November 2020.

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Automobile

2021 LEXUS ES Source: caranddriver.com

Even though the 2021 Lexus ES is a sedate offering in a segment dominated by legitimate sports sedans, it delivers what a certain group of luxury car buyers are looking for in terms of comfort, ride quality, and effortless cruising capability.

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hree powertrains are offered: A V-6 engine with 302hp, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with all-wheel drive, or a hybrid setup that delivers fantastic fuel economy. As for luxury, the ES's cabin is a lovely space that's lined with fine materials, supportive seats, and plenty of technology features and

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connectivity options. What's the downside? The Lexus doesn't deliver the same level of driving satisfaction as the sportier luxury cars it competes against. But, for the price of an entry-level Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-class you can have a well-loaded ES—which makes it an unbeatable value in this highly competitive segment.

What's New for 2021?

Lexus is adding the ES250 to the ES lineup this year, which is powered by a 2.5-liter fourcylinder and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Like Lexus' RX SUV, the ES sedan

also receives a Black Line Special Edition package for 2021. Based on the F Sport model, the Black Line package adds black exterior trim, a black lip spoiler, a white interior, and a two-piece matching luggage set from Zero Halliburton. Elsewhere, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is now standard on Ultra Luxury and F Sport models, a new Rich

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Cream interior color is available, and Lexus's Enform Safety Connect suite of connectivity features—including onboard Wi-Fi—is now standard across the entire range.

variable automatic transmission (CVT) and frontwheel drive are standard. At our test track, the gas-only ES350 sprinted from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The hybrid variant made the dash in a more Pricing and Which One to leisurely 8.3 seconds. This Buy Lexus sedan exhibits the Engine, Transmission, and ž Es250 $41,025 composed handling and Performance ž Es350 $41,025 forgiving ride quality that's cherished by many luxury-car ž Es300 $42,935 The 2021 Lexus ES gives shoppers. For those seeking We think upgrading to the buyers a choice of three keener handling, the F Sport ES350 with the Ultra Luxury powertrains. The ES250 is package is worth it even powered by a 203-hp 2.5-liter trim adds larger wheels and though it increases the price suspension tuning that's more four-cylinder engine and significantly over the base comes standard with all-wheel performance oriented. Even model. The Ultra Luxury with this upgrade, though, the drive. All ES350 trims come ES is less athletic than package adds special 18-inch with a 3.5-liter V-6 that wheels, semi-aniline leather generates 302 horsepower and competing models such as the upholstery, a hands-free is governed by an eight-speed BMW 5-series. power trunk lid, a power rear automatic transmission that Fuel Economy and Realsunshade, a wood-and-leather sends power to the front wheels. With all ES350h trims, World MPG motivation comes from a According to the EPA, mileage hybrid powertrain that for the Lexus ES350 tops out provides a net output of 215 at 22/32 mpg city/highway. As horsepower; a continuously you'd expect, the ES350h

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steering wheel, and an adaptive suspension. To that, we'd add the Navigation package, which upgrades the infotainment display to the larger 12.3-inch setup and adds in-dash navigation and voice recognition.

hybrid is even more frugal, achieving mileage of 43/44 mpg. The EPA hasn't released fuel economy estimates for the new ES250 yet, but Lexus claims it's capable of a 28 mpg combined city/highway rating.

During our time with an ES350, we observed mileage of 39 mpg during highway driving at 75 mph over the course of 200 miles. With the ES350h, we observed fuel economy of 45 mpg on the same test route.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo With its stylish, asymmetrical dash and high-quality materials, the ES's cabin creates a plush environment for passengers. Both rows offer enough legroom for the long-legged, and the seats provide comfortable support.

Notably, the cabin is unfailingly peaceful, even when the ES is being driven at highway speeds. Both gasonly and hybrid models provide 17.0 cubic feet of room in the trunk, and this gives the ES more cargo space

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than rivals such as the Volvo 2021 Lexus ES doesn't S90 (14.0 cubic feet) and Acura disappoint. It comes standard TLX (14.0 cubic feet). with an infotainment system governed by an 8.0-inch Unfortunately, the ES isn't central display, and both available with a folding rear Apple CarPlay and Android seat. This makes it difficult for Auto capability are onboard to this Lexus to accommodate provide hassle-free device outsize cargo. integration. All models come with a 10-speaker sound Lexus system equipped with The Car and Driver SiriusXM satellite radio. The Difference list of standard tech amenities also includes Amazon Alexa Our Comprehensive Car compatibility, Bluetooth Testing Explained phone and music streaming, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Scout GPS Infotainment and Link navigation.

Connectivity Luxury-car buyers look for vehicles offering the latest and greatest tech features, and the

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Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The 2021 Lexus ES earned a perfect five stars overall in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) designated the ES a Top Safety Pick+. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking ž

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Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keep assistance Available adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Lexus provides longer warranty coverage than rivals such as BMW and MercedesBenz. However, it trails Genesis in this area, which offers one of the best warranties in the segment. ž ž

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Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for 1 year or 10,000 miles

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SPORT LAW ACADEMY 5 ‒ 8 October 2021 FOR BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES:

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