This Friday, a new chapter in African LegalTech begins. In partnership with the University of Nigeria Student Bar Association (UNSBA), the Nigerian LegalTech Network and Lexlytic-an emerging AI-powered legal intelligence platform, is launching the inaugural LegalTech Innovation Challenge.
The one-day event will convene some of Nigeria’s brightest student minds alongside global leaders in law, policy, and technology.
At its core, the challenge is simple: identify real-world legal and regulatory challenges, and prototype bold, scalable solutions.
But the stakes are bigger.
“Innovation in African legal systems is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity,” said Chioma Wilson-Dike, co-founder of Lexlytic. “Students are closer to the problems than most. We’re giving them the stage to propose answers.”
The pitch and essay competition has drawn attention for its depth and ambition. Shortlisted finalists will present their ideas to a stellar panel of judges and speakers, including:
- Raymond Blyd, co-founder of Legalpioneer and global leader in legal data transparency
- Abi Odedeyi, AI strategist building safe, scalable systems for business
- Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, product and policy powerhouse at the intersection of global tech and law
- Chiderah Azodoh, Harvard-trained M&A expert guiding startups to $55M+ rounds
- Iffy Nnabuenyi, infrastructure and fintech lawyer navigating billion-naira deals
- Geoffrey Nwokolo, counsel at Yellow Card shaping digital asset law across 20 African countries
- Chizoba Ezeani, founder of ALTIN, bridging the gap between courts and code
- Chioma Wilson-Dike, Lexlytic co-founder decoding ESG and compliance regulations across borders
The event will also feature keynotes and lightning talks on emerging trends in LegalTech, including generative AI, regulatory risk, and justice delivery innovation.
“We want students to see themselves not just as lawyers, but as builders,” Wilson-Dike said. “This challenge isn’t about theory. It’s about prototypes, partnerships, and policy ideas that could change the way law is practised.”
Backed by Lexlytic’s mission to make regulation more understandable and actionable, the event is the first of many planned across African universities.
“This is just the beginning,” said a UNSBA representative. “Legal education is evolving. It’s time our institutions reflected that.”
The LegalTech Innovation Challenge will take place at the University of Nigeria on Friday, August 22nd.
Venue: Google Meet- meet.google.com/snf-mqqu-djh
Time: 2PM WAT (West African Time)
Date: Friday, August 22nd 2025
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