40u40 Winners

Rita Anwiri Chindah, ACIArb, AIDR

Rita is knowledgeable and skilled in Intellectual Property, Information Technology, and Alternative Dispute Resolution & Arbitration. With these combined skills, coupled with skills in corporate law, She helps client navigate today's dynamic legal and business environment.

An Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian branch and a Masters Holder in IP & IT Law from the University of Derby, UK,

She is a podcaster host and blogger #IPSERIES and Speaker. She is the chief Convener the Intellectual Property Society of Nigeria.

She is the current PRO of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Port Harcourt Chapter, Pro-Term Secretary Young Members Group of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Port Harcourt Chapter.

Current PRO Young Lawyers Forum Nigerian Bar Association Port Harcourt Branch.

She was listed in the inaugural edition of ESQ Legal Practice Magazine as one of the leading Nigerian Women in Business Law.

Featured in the inaugural edition of the AllThingsIP Africa #Magazine

2021 Young Legal Professional recipient "Award of Excellence"

2020 WIPR Influential Women in IP Trailblazer!
https://bit.ly/WomenIP2020

Legal adviser for the Rivers State Musician Guild

Part of the committee that drafted the Rivers State ICT Policy

Spoken at various intellectual property events both physically and virtually

#intellectualpropertylawyer #Arbitrator #IPWomen2020 #Podcaster host and blogger #IPSERIES #creativeentrepreneur

AYOYINKA OLAJIDE-AWOSEDO, MCIArb

Ayoyinka 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.

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.

She is currently advising one of the largest prominent media and entertainment groups in Nigeria on obtaining debt and equity financing from a private equity firm and the corporate restructuring of its various entities. She acts as legal advisor to a corporate real estate development company with respect to the divestment of its US$100 million asset. She is company secretary and legal adviser to an international fintech company – assisting in the incorporation of its Nigerian entity and advising on running its operations in the Nigerian market.  She advised and assisted a foreign mobile communications company in acquiring its communications licence. She was part of a team that advised a foreign online retail store on its direct investment and entry into Nigeria.

Prior to joining AARNDALE, Ayoyinka worked at a leading law firm in Nigeria in the Corporate and Commercial and Banking and Finance departments and at Linklaters LLP in London with the Project Finance and Capital Market teams.

Ayoyinka led a due diligence team and advised a Nordic bank with respect to its acquisition of a local microfinance bank. She has also advised a European development bank (as lender) on a 7-year US$20 million Unsecured Subordinated Convertible Facility to a Nigerian Bank. She was an active member of a team that advised on the acquisition of a US$120million majority stake in Nigeria’s largest switching company.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal

Akorede is the Assistant National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Principal Counsel of A.H. Lawal & Co (Habibi Chambers), a thriving law firm in Asaba, Delta State.

Mr. Akorode Habeeb Lawal has prosecuted several cases of note at the various superior courts of records and he has taken special interest in brief-writing, election petition (particularly its procedures) and matters that border on the interpretation of the Constitution and other statutes.

He graduated from University of Ilorin in 2009 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants-Nigeria and an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered).

Tomilola Tobun

Tomilola is an experienced legal practitioner with over 9 years’ experience in the legal sector. Currently, she is a Senior Associate at Perchstone & Graeys and she leads the Corporate Practice Group of the firm. Tomilola offers practical and ingenious solutions to businesses with a view to helping them identify the inefficiencies in their corporate, employment & tax structures as well as guiding them through growth and sustainability.

Prior to joining Perchstone & Graeys, she was a Senior Legal Associate at WFO Roedl & Partner and an Associate at Funmi Roberts and Co. Her transactional experience cuts across Corporate Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, Finance & fundraising (for Startups) and Employment advisory.

Tomilola has vast commercial experience and her excellent analytical skills are a value add to any client. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from University of Pretoria and she was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2010. She is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

Walter Rugbere

Walter Rugbere is a legal practitioner with over 12 years’ experience in advising and handling corporate transactions, corporate governance issues, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial litigation.

He is currently the Head, Legal & Integrity – Nigeria & Ghana and serves as a Director on the Board of ABB Nigeria, a multinational Power and Automation Company. Before he joining ABB Nigeria, he served as the Legal Counsel of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Co. Ltd and an Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo where he was a member of the Corporate/ Commercial team responsible for providing legal advisory services on a wide range of issues such as project financing, corporate restructuring, corporate financing and perfection of titles.

Walter has advised several international and local clients on cross-border transactions covering project financing, regulatory and compliance issues, corporate governance, copyright and trademark laws.

He holds an LL. B from the University of Benin, Edo State and LL.M (Masters in Law) in Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources Law from the University of Houston, Texas, USA. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009.

VICTOR SAMUEL

Victor Samuel is an experienced Legal Professional with over 8 years’ experience within the Legal profession. He is currently a Senior Associate at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie Law Firm and a member of the firm’s banking and finance, energy, projects and infrastructure teams.  He advises international and local clients on structuring and financing diverse infrastructure projects; syndicated lending transactions; and debt restructuring.

At Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Victor was a crucial part of the team that advised Daystar Power Group in connection with a multimillion-dollar debt financing from Sunfunder Inc. for the expansion of its solar power projects for commercial and industrial energy users.  He also recently advised the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on its Nigerian Energy Support Programme, which involves providing legal advisory services regarding the Nigerian electricity supply industry, as well as fostering investments in the renewable energy, energy-efficiency and rural electrification sectors in Nigeria.

Prior to joining Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie Law Firm, he was an Associate at Detail Commercial Solicitors and Animashaun, Animashaun & Associates. He also had a brief stint in public service as a state counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Nasarawa State.

He got his LLB degree in 2012 from Enugu State University of Science and Technology and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013.

Tumi Bello

Tumi is an experienced Legal professional who has extensive experience in the Banking Sector as a Legal Officer. She is currently a Legal Officer at Sterling Bank, a post she has held since 2013.

Prior to joining Sterling Bank, she was also a Legal Officer at the now defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc. Tumi is highly skilled in Legal activities related to the Banking sector, Legal Advice, Risk Management and International Law.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Lagos and she was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2006.

Tomisin Ojuawo

Tomisin Lagundoye is an experienced legal professional who is highly skilled in Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets, Corporate and Commercial Law. She is the current Head of Legal at Renaissance Capital, a leading emerging and frontier markets investment bank, providing access to over 50 markets across the globe with operations in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Prior to joining Renaissance Capital, she was an Associate and Senior Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo. She also spent some time at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie as an Associate.

She is also skilled in Legal Advice, Legal Advice, Legal Writing and International Law. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from The University of Texas School of Law and she got her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from The University of Ibadan.

Solomon Ugochukwu Ezike

Solomon is a Legal Consultant at World Bank, Washington D.C, USA, a position he recently assumed in July 2021. Prior to joining the World Bank, he was a Senior Associate at G. Elias & Co., one of the foremost and leading law firms in Nigeria where he was involved with different practice areas of the legal profession such as Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation, Mergers & Acquisition, etc.

He cut his professional teeth in the Legal profession at Messrs Hali Chambers where he excelled in Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution.

Solomon Ezike is a proud Alumni of University of Calabar where he got his Bachelor of Laws (LLB), he holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from American University Washington College of Law and he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.

Osinachi Nwandem LLM, MICIArb

Osinachi is a certified construction industry expert with over 7 years’ experience in the Legal Profession and vast expertise in Construction law and Arbitration at Aelex Legal Practitioners & Arbitrators, one of Africa's leading law firms.

He has had prior exposure to litigation and arbitration in a range of commercial disputes ranging from contracts, labour and employment, debt recovery, telecommunications, maritime and taxation.

He is constantly driven by the desire to effectively resolve construction disputes and develop construction law and practice in Nigeria, he established two construction law blogs, where he regularly proffers viewpoints on recent developments in construction disputes and contracts. He is also a regular contributor to several peer-review journals, texts and publication platforms including the Gravitas Law Review, AELEX Article Series and Mondaq.

As a litigator and arbitrator, his core ability lies in breaking down and resolving complex legal problems quickly and satisfactorily.

Osinachi Nwandem is a member of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators (ICIArb), the International Bar Association and the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Business Law.

Okechukwu Joachim Okoro

Okechukwu has extensive corporate and commercial law experience cutting across project finance, labour, employment and industrial relations, immigration and commercial dispute resolution (Litigation, Arbitration and ADR).

Currently, he is a Partner at G. Elias & Co where he has over the years advised on several local and cross-boundary electricity and oil and gas deals. Prior to becoming a Partner at G. Elias & Co, he was a Senior Associate and Team Lead Energy Practice Group and an Associate at the Law Firm. He was also an Associate at Steve Adehi & Co. and Counsel at A.A. Mu'Alimu & Co./Rhema Law House.

Okechukwu Okoro holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Bayero University, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Ebonyi State University and he is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Zulei (Momodu) Ehimeakhe

Zulei Momodu is the Company Secretary at Westfield Energy Resources Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading companies in the onshore and offshore oil and gas industry. She joined Westfield Energy Resources Limited in July 2018 as Head of Legal and Contracts before rising to her current position of Company Secretary.

Prior to joining Westfield Energy Resources Limited, she was an Associate at Aelex, a Leading Commercial & Dispute Resolution Law Firm and one of the largest full-service law firms in Nigeria, and Ghana. While at Aelex, her practice areas include; Energy, Corporate/Commercial, Intellectual Property and Infrastructure Development. Zulei also spent some time at Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore as an Associate and Vodafone as a Business and Compliance Advisor.

At Westfield Energy Resources Limited, she provides legal and commercial advice and delivers technical know-how; analyses transactions; drafts, reviews and negotiates commercial oil and gas contracts; as well as assessing a broad range of issues from a legal, compliance and regulatory perspective. She also leads the team at negotiations with international oil companies (IOCs), manages the external counsel portfolio and provides legal advice to management and various business units within the organisation.

Zainab Babalola

Zainab Babalola is the head of Legal & Compliance at NASD OTC Securities Exchange.

She is an experienced, well-rounded and resourceful lawyer with a strong work ethic and a mentality focused on excellence. She is highly skilled in Capital Markets, Corporate Finance and Private Equity, Insolvency, Company Secretarial and Compliance.

Previously, she was an Associate at The New Practice (TNP) where she was responsible for advising companies, entrepreneurs and sponsors in various sectors including oil and gas, FMCG and renewable energy. Zainab was very instrumental to the team that advised on Nigeria's first Guaranteed Infrastructure Bond Issuance, Viathan Funding Plc's N50 Billion senior guaranteed Bond Issuance Programme.

She holds membership in a number of bodies and organizations such as; Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners of Nigeria (BRIPAN); The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria Branch), Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

Tolulope Omoleye-Osindero

Tolulope is a Corporate Law and Corporate Finance professional with over 12 years’ experience under her belt in the legal space. Currently, she is the Head of Legal and Compliance at Branch International where she is tasked with the responsibility of managing and overseeing all legal and compliance activities within the organization.

Before joining Branch International, she was a Senior Associate at Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie’s Banking and Finance team with a focus on fintech, corporate finance, syndicated lending, secured transactions, trade finance, structured finance and project finance.

Apart from Corporate Law and Corporate Finance, Tolulope Omoleye-Osindero is highly skilled in other areas of law such as Legal Advice, Private Equity, Commercial and Investment Banking, International Finance, etc

Tolu Olaloye

Tolu is a Senior Associate in the Intellectual Property and Regulatory & Compliance Practices at Jackson, Etti and Edu.

She also doubles as Deputy Sector Head, Financial Services. Tolu advises clients on diverse regulatory issues for leading consumer brands.

Tolu has practiced IP for over a decade; garnering substantial expertise in trademarks, patents and designs prosecution. Her clientele includes leading brands and innovators from Asia and the Middle East.

She advises and liaises with regulatory bodies in Nigeria such as the Nigeria Trademarks and Patents Registry, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC).

Tolu liaises with different IP related organizations, such as IPLAN, WIPO Nigeria and INTA on programmes for Intellectual Property awareness in Nigeria. She executed Intellectual Property CSR programmes on behalf of Jackson, Etti & Edu in various IP Clubs across Nigerian universities. Tolu is one of the pioneers of the firm’s Technology Start-Up Initiative where the IP Practice supports Nigeria’s budding innovative entrepreneurs through bespoke legal and business service packages.

Titilayo Giwa

Titilayo is an astute transaction Lawyer in the Energy sector.

Known for her intellect and remarkable skills in Corporate-Commercial Advisory, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management, Titilayo has, on several occasions, been part of the legal team to advise on high profile commercial transactions.

In her history of legal practice, Titilayo has advised state governments, various companies and several HNIs in the Oil & Gas, Maritime, Aviation, Financial Services, Real Estate and FMCG industries.

Prior to joining RMC, Titilayo worked with the well-known law firm of Jackson, Etti & Edu as an Associate in the Energy & Infrastructure Sector.

Similoluwa Oyelude

Similoluwa was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 14th of February 2012 . Whilst embarking on the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme she served in a legal firm as an NYSC Intern in Oyo State.

She thereafter started her legal career in the commercial law firm of Johnson Bryant in Lagos Nigeria where she worked on commercial law matters, drafted commercial agreements, franchising documentation, trade secrets documentation, distributorship as well as managed the intellectual property portfolio of numerous multinational and blue chip companies as it relates to searches, filings, brand registration, protection, ,technology transfer, registration and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Her commercial practice also covers advisory on regulatory/compliance issues, dealing with relevant regulatory bodies such as SON , CPC and NAFDAC.

Her Specialties are :accounts payable, accounts receivable, administration, budgeting, conferences, database administration, dictation, documentation, file management, Intellectual property law ,commercial law ,legal, letters, operations , meeting facilitation, record keeping, reports, research, sales , scheduling, telephone skills, executive calendaring and schedule management ,Debt recovery and use of Legal billing software

Her goal is to contribute to the development of young lawyers with regard to leadership,mentor-ship ,management and information Technology.

Omotesele Cecilia Esekhaigbe

Omotesele is a seasoned lawyer with a fine understanding of the regulatory framework surrounding complex issues faced by investors in the tech space. She has in-depth research capabilities and cognate commercial experience and has been involved in conducting legal due diligence in various sectors of the economy and advises both foreign and local clients. She has a strong academic background from The University College London where she also gained membership as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom (MCIArb).

Prior to joining Techadvance, she worked with a leading commercial law firm - Jackson, Etti & Edu ( a full service law firm focused on providing legal services to clients in our core sectors)  and managed portfolio for top international client. She over the years has gained experience in International Commercial Arbitration, Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement, Commercial Litigation as well as general commercial legal advisory.

Oluwatobi Kadiri

Oluwatobi, who is a graduate of the University of Lagos, is the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser at Avon HMO.

She is a Corporate Law expert with a demonstrated history of working in the Legal Services Industry. She is also skilled in Capital Markets, Corporate and Finance Law.

She had previously served for over 2 years as Company Secretary and Head, Legal subsequently at Platform Capital Investment Partners. She was also an Associate at Tokunbo Orimobi LP from February 2017 to March 2018.

Iyiola Alokolaro-Oyefeso

Iyiola is the Group Head Legal Services at AA&R Investment Group.

She is a Company Secretary and Legal Advisor with over 13 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 possesses excellent people management and leadership skills with the ability to influence her colleagues positively. She confidently has a good knowledge of corporate governance principles and its applicability in organizations; possess outstanding negotiation and communication skills with the ability to explain legal issues in simple terms.

Ina Arome

Ina is a corporate and commercial lawyer with a focus on business advisory, mergers and acquisitions, and other significant business transactions. She has significant experience advising companies in telecommunications, media, entertainment and technology, ranging from early stage companies to established multinational corporations. Ina also has extensive experience managing deals in the energy and natural resources sector.

As a corporate/commercial lawyer, Ina enjoys the constant challenge of finding practical, commercial and innovative solutions to complex legal issues. She gains the most satisfaction from fostering and nurturing close client relationships – because that’s where the most effective, client-driven solutions start.

Ijezie M. Emedosi

Presently, Ijezie M. Emedosi occupies the position of Head-Legal at Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc

Folajimi Olamide Akinla ADIT

Folajimi represent businesses and the organised private sector by advocating for fair and favourable fiscal and tax regimes. He also works with government (federal and state) to come up with sustainable fiscal and tax policies. When not advocating or making policies, He leads the Tax Controversy & Dispute Resolution Team in PwC Nigeria.

Fola Alade ESQ. (ASCMA, UK) (IADT, UK)

Fola Alade is a Notary Public and an Accredited Attorney-Mediator based in Lagos. He is the Founder/ Principal Partner at FOTEFA PARTNERS LP (MEDIATORS & MEDIATION ADVOCATES), a bespoke Mediation firm in Nigeria.

A voracious learner and erudite, Fola Alade boasts of several local and international certifications and training which include but are not limited to the following;

• Fellow, World Mediation Organization (WMO)
• Mediator of the Global Mediation Panel at the Office of the Ombudsman for United Nations Funds and Programmes
• Certified Mediation Advocate with the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (U.K)
• Trained Mediator on the Panel of Neutrals of the Federal High Court (FHC), Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC), Edo State Multi-Door Courthouse(EMDC), Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA) and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC)
• Online Dispute Resolution Expert
• Trained Negotiator from the Lagos Business School (LBS)
• Certified Emotional Intelligence Specialist
• Facilitator and Certified Trainer (International Award in Delivering Training (IADT) with the London Professional Training Centre UK.
• Founder, Fotefa Mediation Academy
• Executive Director, Incorporated Trustees of Attorney-Mediators Association (ATMA)
• Partner Member, NCMG International (Negotiation and Conflict Management Group International)
• Consultant/Training Facilitator, Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (SCMA Nigeria)
• Senior Consultant/Training Facilitator, Betaworka Cosmopolitan Partners Limited
• Training Facilitator, Au Courant Legal Research Firm
• Training Facilitator, Resource HQ Ltd
• Training Facilitator, Legally Engaged Academy
• Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
• Member, Section on Business Law (SBL)

A standing Member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), Fola Alade runs an active social media page where he sheds enlightenment on legal issues majorly surrounding mediation.

He has facilitated several trainings on Negotiation, Mediation, Mediation Advocacy, Workplace Conflict and Emotional Intelligence. He has also published several articles across different cities in Nigeria

A passionate Advocate of Mediation and a lover of parties and life, Fola is married to Teju Fola-Alade, a senior HR Practitioner and Founding Partner of Tejuwrites, Betaworka & DiscusswithTeju.

Emmanuel Ohiri

Mr Emmanuel Ohiri is the Head of Legal Foreign Subsidiaries at the Guaranteed Trust Bank. He graduated with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Law from the prestigious University of Lagos in 2013. Some of his achievements as a student are: President and Vice President of the Moot Society, Faculty of Law of the University; participant and Top Ten Best Memorials at the 22nd All African Moot Court Competition, University of Pretoria; the founder of Ohiri Tutorial for law students; the pioneer member of the Young African Research Arena (YARA); and Chairman Steering Committee, 2nd Chief Wole Olaonipekun Moot Court Competition. He acquired his Bachelor at Laws (BL) at the Nigerian Law School in 2014 and his Masters in Business Administration – MBA, Banking, Corporate, Finance and Securities Law from University of South Wales in 2020.

He began his legal career as a Paralegal at F.O Akindele & Co. within September and November 2011, then as a Research Associate at Brandsmith Consulting in October and November 2013, Paralegal at Kunle Sofola & Co. in June and July 2014, Associate at The New Practice (TNP) in December 2014 to February 2017, Legal Practitioner at Oando Plc in June to September 2017, Head of Business Development at Stark Legal between August 2017 to December 2018, Senior Legal Analyst at Condros Capital Limited within January 2019 and April 2020, until he got appointment at Guaranty Trust Bank as a Corporate Legal Counsel.

He got certified in the following; Regulatory Technology Foundation Class issued by the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2019, Financial Markets by Cousera in 2016,  Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling by the Wharton School. He also volunteered as an Assistant Litigation Officer at Nigerian Legal Aid.

Elizabeth Ifeoma Uba-Onubogu

A consummate and commercially savvy General Counsel, Governance Professional and Company Secretary, assisting businesses clarify their strategic objectives by implementing structures and processes to help them run efficiently.

With over a decade’s experience in corporate/commercial law, corporate governance, company secretarial practice, regulatory compliance, project/corporate finance and capital market transactions. She is able to transform in-house legal teams from being cost centres to value providers.

Dindam Killi

Dindam has a penchant for dispute resolution and solving complex matters. He particularly enjoys untangling the most complicated issues, leaving his clients thoroughly satisfied. His practice typically involves regular appearances before several courts including the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Dindam is a key member of the Aluko & Oyebode’s Abuja office team. His practice areas include litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, oil & gas and intellectual property. Dindam is an experienced litigator who regularly represents a broad range of clients before different courts and tribunals.

In one particular dramatic case, Deyda Hydara Jnr & 2 Others v. Republic of The Gambia, he represented the family of a brutally murdered popular Gambian journalist in proceedings instituted before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice against the Gambian government. In a widely reported judgment delivered in 2014, the ECOWAS court granted the Applicants’ relief.

His representation of corporate clients includes a giant Spanish oil company in an arbitration resulting from the termination of a contract with a Nigerian oil company, and a global information and communications technology solutions provider and its local subsidiary in an action for the recovery of over N1.6 billion in proceedings before both the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Demilade Olaosun

Demilade leads the pack of brilliant and passionate people that insist on delivering only the best services with integrity and professionalism. He practiced law in one of the top law firms in Lagos State, providing various local and foreign clients with services in the areas of Electricity Law, tax forensic investigation, transaction support and general project advisory services. He left the firm to pursue his passion of providing strategic advisory services in the Nigerian entertainment industry and grooming the careers of emerging entertainers to achieving the greatest of heights.

Demilade graduated with the best result in the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos in 2008, winning several academic prizes including the Vice-Chancellor’s prize for the best all round performance in the Faculty of Law 2007/2008 and the Dr. Taslim Elias prize for the best student in Jurisprudence. He currently serves as legal coach to several media and entertainment practitioners. He can be reached via email at Demilade@rbmmng.comor demiladeolaosun@gmail.comon twitter @OlaosunD and linkedIn, via Demilade Olaosun.

Dayo Adu

David Oluranti

David Oluranti is an experienced commercial lawyer with over 9 years’ experience covering different areas of the legal space which includes; Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Litigation, Law Tech, Legal Research, Legal Advice and many more.

Currently, David is the Head of Legal at Flutterwave, where he is responsible for training and development of the Legal team, offering legal advice and opinions to the Board of Directors, ensuring regulatory compliance across various jurisdictions, liaising with the company secretary to ensure that all legal related statutory returns are filed with the appropriate regulatory bodies.

Previously, he had served as Head of Legal Department/Legal Adviser at Jubilee Life Mortgage Bank, Legal Associate at Olaniwun Ajayi LP and PwC Nigeria respectively

Damola Aroyewun

Damola has diverse experience in corporate commercial law practice in the information technology and real estate industry. He advises a broad range of clients including international tech firms, real estate companies and investors looking to do business in Nigeria. He holds a Master of Laws in International Commercial Law from the University of South Wales, Cardiff and a Bachelor of Laws from Ekiti State University. Damola is the Lead Partner of the Firm.

Chuma Akana

Chukwuma Okoroafor

Chinenye Uwanaka

Chinenye is a nation builder and her true passion is to empower people and fight against extreme poverty and Injustice. In line with her purpose she is building a brand and businesses that will create wealth and lift people out of poverty, especially the youth.

She is the Founder and CEO of The Firma Group of companies which consists of;

• The Firma Advisory - a boutique law and Consulting Firm in Nigeria with clients in Africa, Middle-east, Europe and America.
• The Firma Foods - which boasts of a livestock farm ( Poultry, Goat and Snail farms), processing and marketing to supermarkets, hotels and other end users
• The Firma Energy- which is a startup focused on Renewable Energy and other hybrid solutions for Underserved, rural and peri-urban communities who don’t have access to power for productive use (eg Agriculture & manufacturing)

She is driven to make tremendous impact on the African continent, as a result she set up ‘Africa Policy Conversations’ which is a Pan African Initiative with members from across 15 African countries . The idea came about while she was studying implementing Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School USA.

She is also the Thematic Lead for Innovation and Intellectual Property for the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER), a collaboration between the Legislative and Executive arms of Government in Nigeria under the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

She is also the Head of the fundraising committee for Nigerian Bar Association - Womens Forum (NBA-WF).

She has been privileged to receive many awards including a Social Impact Award by the Vice President of Nigeria Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN for their efforts in improving Access to Justice for the less privileged members of the society.

Chiamaka Okeke

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

Alma Karibo

Alma leads the Compliance Program at 54Gene Inc. driving the company’s efforts and commitment to uphold the highest level of ethical standards in line with applicable compliance regulations.
She is also leading 54gene’s compliance with data regulations.
Alma has a keen interest in both areas of practice because compliance for her is an all round very essential subject matter that affects not just business productivity but also business continuity.

Alma obtained the sought after Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe (CIPP/E) qualification with in depth knowledge on the GDPR and European data protection laws from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

She graduated with an LLM from the University of California Berkeley Law School with Certificate of Specializations in Business Law and IP & Technology Law in 2019.

Called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010. Practiced Immigration and Employment Law and Litigation. Carried on practice also in Trademarks and Copyrights in Nigeria.
She also carried on legal practice and provided legal advice in the Music Business and digital media sector.

Before her current role, Alma worked as Head of Legal/Company Secretary in the Oil & Gas/Energy sector and also managed an Oil & Gas brokering firm.

She is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).

Alma is a Certified Child Care and Development Administrator and volunteers with a not for profit organisation “Slum 2 School” set up in Nigeria.

Adunola Akindele

Adunola is an experienced legal and compliance professional with over 10 years’ experience in the legal profession. She possesses exceptional analytical, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills across different industries.

Currently, she is the Head of Legal/Company Secretary at Echostone Housing Nigeria where she is responsible for Overseeing the management of all legal risks within the organization. She is also, responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with external lawyers, close liaison with finance function in relation to the establishment, growth and day to day operation of the West Africa operations.

Prior to joining EchoStone Housing Nigeria, she was the Corporate Commercial Team Lead at George Etomi & Partners where she was involved in drafting, reviewing and analysing commercial agreements, structuring and creating legal frameworks for commercial transactions, company Secretarial functions, etc. She also worked briefly at Optimum Law Publishers Limited as an Assistant Editor where she was involved with reading and editing judgments of Superior Courts of Nigeria, reviewing lengthy judgments, paying attention to details, editorial work was done in teams, etc.

She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University of London and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University. She was admitted into the Nigerian Bar in 2010.

Adedolapo Akinola

Adedolapo is a banking & finance, capital markets and general corporate advisory lawyer with experience in transactions spanning corporate and project finance, debt restructuring, syndicated lending, secured transactions, mergers and acquisitions and equity and debt capital raising.