The GC Powerlist: Nigeria recognizes the most influential and innovative in-house counsel driving significant change within Nigeria’s leading companies.
As the first edition focused solely on Nigeria, it spotlights standout general counsels navigating complex regulatory environments and advancing their organizations through technological transformation.
Every year, the Legal 500 invites law firm partners and in-house counsels to nominate in-house lawyers that have been instrumental in driving their organizations and businesses forward.
In-house lawyers are especially recognized for changing or forming commercial opinions; developing outstanding technical solutions to complex issues; creating innovative structures to ensure that the in-house legal function is supporting and driving the business; and providing business working models that other in-house counsels can follow.
The Legal 500 has been analyzing the capabilities of law firms and in-house lawyers across the world, with a comprehensive research program revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.
The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms and in-house lawyers in over 150 jurisdictions, the results of which can be viewed free of charge. Research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivaled experience in the legal space.
Speaking, Funke Olufon, lead researcher, GC Powerlist: Nigeria 2024, expressed her true delight at introducing this inaugural edition, after previous years of covering Africa in its entirety.
“This inaugural edition not only showcases the landmark cases and impressive deals undertaken by these deserving legal professionals. Interviews conducted in this Powerlist present truly varied and thought-provoking perspectives on a gamut of issues, among which include a shared focus on leading a digital transformation in legal departments and processes; the race to align Nigeria’s compliance requirements with international standards; and the efforts being made to refurbish the legal department’s reputation to that of true business partners,” she said.
Notable legal professionals that made the cut include Moniepoint‘s General Counsel, Okechukwu Eke; Adesua Dozie, Vice chairman, General Counsel, Mobil Producing Nigeria; Chidi Momah, General Counsel and Company Secretary, NNPC; Dr. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, General Counsel and Divisional Head, Business Support Services, NGX Group; Ifedayo Lawal, Senior Director, Legal Africa, Coca-Cola Nigeria; Michael Otu, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Zenith Bank and Oluseye Alayande, Group Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary, BUA Group among others.
Speaking to his inclusion in the prestigious list, Okechukwu Eke noted that Moniepoint’s legal team has been involved in a number of key initiatives including the implementation of a contract management platform which has resulted in some significant benefits. “We have developed standardized agreements for Moniepoint’s products and services, contributing to our recognition and ranking as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.”
On the use of AI in for day-to-day legal work, Okechukwu opined that “the AI feature has played a crucial role in enhancing efficiency within our legal team’s contract management process. It has significantly reduced the time spent on reviewing and drafting contracts, enabling team members to focus on more complex and strategic assignments. Furthermore, it has enhanced the efficiency of contract reviews by assisting in the elimination of errors during the review process, and it consistently improves negotiating outcomes.”
The GC Powerlist: Nigeria 2024 showcases the fascinating stories and perspectives of the most exceptional, richly deserving in-house counsels Nigeria has to offer, and see how legal professionals continue to innovatively drive their companies forward, while skillfully navigating the nuances of the Nigerian economic landscape.
Since the launch of the Legal 500 Powerlist in 2013, 3,000 individuals, 2,000 teams and 100+ law firms have been recognised for inclusion in 38 regions and countries across the world (also known as jurisdictional lists).
