Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo KEKERE-EKUN GCON, JSC (Nee Fasinro) was born on May 7, 1958. She obtained her LL. B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.

From 1985 to 1989 she was in private practise and was later appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. She served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.

Hon. Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004 where she served in various Divisions of the Court and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure).

She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn-in on Monday 8 July 2013.

She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and also received several merit awards.

Hon. Justice Kekere-Ekun is a life Bencher, a Member of the International Association of Women Judges and currently its President.
She is happily married with children.

Hon. Justice Martha K. Koome, EGH, became the first female Chief Justice of Kenya on May 21, 2021, marking a historic milestone in the country’s judiciary. She is the 15th Chief Justice and the 3rd President of the Supreme Court of Kenya. Prior to this, Justice Koome had an extensive judicial career, including serving as a Judge of Appeal and overseeing the Criminal Division. Her contributions include developing Court of Appeal Practice Directions and standardizing the Court’s registry operations.
Before her judicial career, she practiced law for 15 years, specializing in conveyancing, commercial law, and family law. Throughout her career, she has been a staunch advocate for women’s and children's rights. She served as Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya) and was a member of the African Union’s Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Notably, Justice Koome played a significant role in Kenya’s constitutional reform process and the review of the Children’s Act. Her efforts earned her recognition from the United Nations as a defender of human and children's rights, with a runner-up nomination for UN Person of the Year in 2020.

Additionally, Justice Koome has held key leadership roles in various legal associations, including the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association and the East African Law Society. She holds an LLB from the University of Nairobi, a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law, and an LLM from the University of London.

Aare Afe Babalola SAN is a distinguished legal luminary, renowned for his over five decades of dedicated legal practice and leadership. With a career that spans landmark cases in Nigerian and international courts, he has represented government institutions, multinational corporations, and individuals, contributing significantly to Nigerian jurisprudence. As a respected authority in arbitration, his expertise extends to advising the Federal Government, the World Bank, and other global organisations.

Founder of Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers), one of Nigeria’s leading law firms, Aare Babalola has mentored over 300 lawyers, including 14 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), making his firm a cornerstone of Nigeria’s legal community. He was conferred the title of SAN in 1987, cementing his place as a legal icon.

Beyond his practice, Aare Babalola is an accomplished scholar and author of key legal texts, such as “Injunctions and Enforcement of Orders” and “Law and Practice of Evidence in Nigeria.” He has taught at prestigious institutions, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and universities such as the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan.

As Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, his concern for Nigeria’s declining education standards led to the establishment of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), which has become a beacon of academic excellence. His contributions to law and education have earned him numerous accolades, including national honors and international recognition.
A philanthropist and advocate for reform, Aare Afe Babalola’s legacy extends far beyond the courtroom, inspiring generations of leaders and legal professionals.

Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah is the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank). Prior to this role, he served as the Executive Vice President in charge of Business Development and Corporate Banking. He also led the Research and Knowledge Management department and played a key role in Strategic Planning and International Cooperation.
A thought leader in African trade and finance, Prof. Oramah is a published author and frequent speaker at global trade finance conferences. He is also Chairperson of the Africa Chapter of the International Factors Group (IFG), serves on the Board of the IFG, and is a member of the Consultative Board on World Cocoa Economy of the International Cocoa Organization.

Hon. Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji, born on January 30th, 1965, in Lagos State, has had an illustrious legal career that spans decades of dedicated service and legal expertise. He holds an LL.B from Ahmadu Bello University (1985), a B.L from the Nigerian Law School (1986), and an LL.M from the University of Lagos (1990).

Justice Faji began his legal career during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a Pupil Counsel at Aliyu & Co Legal Practitioners, Adamawa State, in 1986. He subsequently gained diverse experience in legal practice, serving in various prominent law firms, including Olumuyiwa Law Associates, Wole Olufon & Co, and Olajide Oyewole & Co. His expertise in legal consultancy and company secretarial services further deepened his professional acumen, culminating in his work with Jimi Oduba, S.A.N, where he served as Assisting Counsel to the Principal Counsel and Head of Chambers.

Justice Faji's background demonstrates a strong foundation in litigation, corporate law, and legal consultancy, leading to his esteemed position on the Federal High Court bench.

Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN, FCArb is the President/Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb). He is also a Professor of Corporate Governance at Lagos Business School. An alumnus of both Said Business School at Oxford University and Lagos Business School, he holds a doctorate in Law from the University of Aberdeen, an MBA from IESE Business School, University of Navarra, and Law degrees from the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos.

Professor Ajogwu is the Founder of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators. He is also associated with several prestigious organizations, including the African Leadership Initiative West Africa, Henry Crown Global Leadership of the Aspen Institute, the AIFA Reading Society, the Society for Art Collection, the Oxford Philosophical Society, the Royal Institute of Philosophy London, and the Royal African Society, UK. Currently, he serves as the President of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators.

His service includes positions on the Governing Council of the Pan-Atlantic University, the General Council of the Bar, and the Council of Legal Education (Nigerian Law School) as the statutorily designated Distinguished Legal Author. He is a member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration and the London Court of International Arbitration.

Professor Ajogwu has acted as Lead Counsel to governments and corporations in several high-profile cases, particularly in the areas of energy, telecommunications, finance, and policy. He has authored numerous influential books, including "The Law & Practice of Private Equity," "Ship Acquisition & Finance: Law & Practice," "Corporate Governance & Group Dynamics," "Corporate Governance in Nigeria: Law and Practice," "Commercial Arbitration in Nigeria: Law and Practice," "Fair Hearing," "Mergers & Acquisition in Nigeria: Law and Practice," "Law & Society," and "Decoupling Ownership from Management of Companies." Additionally, he has co-authored several books, such as "Outcomes-Based Governance: Modern Perspectives to Corporate Governance" with Professor Mervyn King SC, "Petroleum Law and Sustainable Development" with Dr. Oscar Nliam, "Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Commerce," "Trade & Investments in Nigeria: Legal & Regulatory Aspects," "Oral and Written Advocacy: Law & Practice" with Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, and "Collecting Art: A Handbook" with Dr. Jess Castellote.

Professor Ajogwu’s law practice areas include Corporate Governance, Dispute Resolution, Energy & Natural Resources, Communications Technology, Financial Services and Maritime.

Dr. Wale Babalakin, OFR, SAN is the Principal Partner at Babalakin & Co. A distinguished legal practitioner, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2002, in recognition of his exemplary contributions to the legal profession. In February 2008, he was honoured with the national title of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) for his outstanding service to the nation.

In 2007, Dr. Babalakin was appointed Honourary Special Adviser on Legal Matters and General Counsel to the late President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. His legal expertise and insights were instrumental in guiding national legal policies during this period.

Dr. Babalakin is a Member of the Body of Benchers, the apex regulatory body overseeing the affairs of legal practitioners in Nigeria. His contributions to the legal community have earned him high regard as a sought-after speaker, both nationally and internationally. He has delivered numerous papers on critical legal issues at conferences, seminars, and workshops, enriching the discourse in the legal profession with his knowledge and experience.

Funke Adekoya, SAN, is an independent arbitrator and litigation consultant at Funke Adekoya Arbitration Practice, where her focus lies on energy, construction, and commercial disputes arising from joint ventures and commercial contracts.

Previously, she served as Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group at ǼLEX, a prominent commercial law firm operating in Lagos, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana, until her retirement in February 2022. During her tenure at ǼLEX, she led the counsel team representing clients in high-value arbitration disputes and was frequently appointed as a co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator, or chair in complex cases under the rules of major arbitral institutions.

She continues to hold panel appointments with various esteemed arbitration institutions, including the Kigali International Arbitration Centre, CIETAC, the Beijing International Arbitration Centre, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and ICSID, among many others.

He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya; Professor of law, at the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Law; Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) He served as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Regional Trustee for Africa from 2019 to 2022.

He has on various occasions been appointed by leading arbitral institutions including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb-Kenya), the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) among other institutions, as both as a sole arbitrator and a member of arbitral tribunals in arbitrations involving commercial disputes.

He became the first winner of the Inaugural CIArb (Kenya Branch) ADR Lifetime Achievement Award 2021. He was also the winner of the ADR Practitioner of the Year Award 2021 given by the Nairobi LSK and the ADR Publisher of the Year 2021 awarded by CIArb Kenya. He is rated by Chambers and Partners as one of the best dispute resolvers in the country. He has published in the areas of ADR and Access to Justice, Environment, and Natural Resources.

Prof. Dorothy Ufot, SAN is a Visiting Professor of International Arbitration at Baze University Abuja, Nigeria and the Founder and Managing Partner of Dorothy Ufot & Co, a leading Law Firm in Nigeria since 1994.

Dorothy is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Chartered Arbitrator.
She is a former member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration (2006-2018) and a member of the Arbitration Court of CIMAC in Casablanca. She is a member of the Council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law and is currently the Chairman of the ICC Nigeria Arbitration and ADR Commission.

A former Vice-chair of the Arbitration Committee of the IBA, Dorothy regularly sits as an arbitrator in complex, high volume international commercial arbitrations and international investment arbitrations before ICSID, LCIA, ICC, SCC, DIAC, LRCICA and Ad Hoc Cases.

Dorothy is on the panel of Arbitrators of AAA/ICDR, ICSID, KCAB International, HKIAC, DIAC, SIAC, AIAC, BAC/BIAC, EDAC, LRCICA, SCIA and arbitrate AD.
She was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2009.

Dorothy won the prestigious award of African Arbitrator of the year 2020, which election took place in Nairobi Kenya on 28th August, 2020.

She is recommended by GAR’s Who’s Who Legal as one of the world’s leading experts in International Arbitration (2009-2023).

Professor Abiola Sanni is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG). He is a thoroughbred professional with a robust multi-disciplinary background who has served in different capacities at the national and state levels. He is a member of the Presidential Fiscal Policy Tax Reform Committee (2023 till date), served as the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Review Committee (NTPRC) in 2016, and Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC) in 2017. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, and a life member of the Nigerian Society of International Law. He is the editor of Introduction to Nigerian Legal Methods, a leading introductory legal text in Nigerian Universities and the West African sub-region. He is the author of Introduction to Nigerian Business Law; and the founder and publisher of the Nigerian Revenue Law Reports (NRLR) and African Tax Law Reports (ATLR), the first law reports devoted to tax cases in Nigeria and Africa respectively.

Emilia Onyema is an independent arbitrator with experience as presiding, co, and sole arbitrator, and acts as legal expert witness in international arbitration. She is a Professor of International Commercial Law at SOAS University of London where she teaches and publishes on international commercial arbitration, international investment law, and commercial law in a global context. She is qualified to practice law in Nigeria, as a Solicitor in England & Wales, and she is listed on several arbitrator panels.

She convenes the SOAS Arbitration in Africa conference series, leads the SOAS Arbitration in Africa biennial survey research project, co-authored the African Promise; conceived the SOAS counsel in arbitration training project; is the Director of the SOAS Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre; and the founder of the Arbitration Fund for African Students (AFAS). She actively publishes and speaks on topics relevant to her research interests. Some of her publications include, International Commercial Arbitration and the Arbitrator’s Contract (Routledge, 2010); Rethinking the Role of African National Courts in Arbitration (Kluwer, 2018), and “African Participation in the ICSID System: Appointment and Disqualification of Arbitrators” She received the CPR Institute award for Outstanding Contribution to ADR in 2024. Her current research focuses on energy contracts for sustainable development.

Wolemi Esan is the Deputy Managing Partner at Olaniwun Ajayi LP and has been described by Chambers Global as “… a standout lawyer with a tremendous reputation in the market.”

He belongs to a select group of Nigerian lawyers proficient in both contentious and non-contentious practices.

Wolemi’s non-contentious practice has a particular emphasis on advising on various aspects of energy and infrastructure asset development, privatization, acquisition, financing, and operations. Additionally, he provides guidance on complex corporate and commercial transactions, including financing transactions and mergers and acquisitions across Nigeria’s economic spectrum. In contentious matters, Wolemi represents clients in arbitration (both domestic and international) as well as litigation in superior courts in Nigeria.

He is ranked as a leading lawyer in Nigeria by most of the leading independent legal directories, including Chambers Global, IFLR 1000, and Legal 500, and also holds the distinction of being a Jeremy Bentham Scholar of University College London.”

Godson Ugochukwu, SAN, FCIArb, is a distinguished legal practitioner with over 22 years of experience in international arbitration and mediation. He specializes in commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, corporate advisory, insolvency, medical negligence, data protection, and privacy law. Known for his insight into complex legal issues, Godson has served on multiple domestic and international arbitration panels and has represented clients in both institutional and ad hoc arbitral tribunals within and beyond Nigeria.

In 2022, Godson was honored with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in recognition of his excellence in dispute resolution, particularly in litigation. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), UK, he actively contributes to the advancement of international arbitration and ADR, frequently serving as a resource person at international conferences and forums.

Godson holds memberships in several esteemed organizations, including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigeria Branch, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), the International Bar Association (IBA)—where he participates in both the Litigation and Arbitration Committees—the Swiss Chinese Law Association (SCLA), the European-Chinese Arbitration Association (ECAA), and the African Arbitration Association (AfAA).

Beyond his legal career, Godson serves on the boards of several blue-chip companies and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Guinea Insurance Plc. He co-founded Fortress Solicitors with his wife, Ruth, where he leads the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice.

Daniel Leader is a Barrister and Partner at Leigh Day Solicitors, within the international law department and specializes in international human rights and environmental law, with a particular focus on business and human rights. He has extensive experience in cases against parent companies, complex group actions, and mass tort claims, as well as cross-border disputes and jurisdictional issues. He is ranked by Chambers & Partners as a Global Market Leader in the field of business and human rights law. Daniel has a longstanding interest in public policy in business and human rights and was an external expert member of the UK Government Steering Board which oversees the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2014-17). Since 2018 he has been a Board Member of the Corporate Responsibility Coalition (CORE). He is a member of the Steering Committee of the comparative law project on civil liability for human rights violations at the Bonavero Institute, Oxford University, and a member of the Advisory Board of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law’s Human Rights Due Diligence Forum. He writes and speaks widely about business and human rights issues at conferences and universities in Britain and internationally.

Guled is a Partner in A&O Shearman’s International Arbitration Group and has extensive expertise in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration and public international law. He has significant experience representing companies, governments, and international organizations as counsel and advocate in institutional and ad hoc arbitral proceedings, including arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, ICSID, and UNCITRAL Rules.

Guled has been featured in all of the leading legal directories for several years. He is currently designated by Legal500 as a “Next Generation Partner” in both International Arbitration and Public International Law. He is recognized by clients as “a future leader in the field, standing out for his expertise in international law and international arbitration” and “an outstanding lawyer and a pleasure to work with” (Legal 500 UK, 2021 and 2022). Chambers UK recognizes Guled as “Up and Coming” for Public International Law, commenting “Guled is thoughtful, clear and strategic.

Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators. He is the President of the International Law Association (Nigerian branch) and holds several prestigious positions, including UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar. He is also the director of the Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development at Afe Babalola University, Nigeria. He has authored numerous publications on energy, environment, and human rights law, with his book "Environmental Law in Arab States" receiving the 2023 ASIL Certificate of Merit. Professor Olawuyi has advised prominent organizations like the World Bank and UN agencies, served on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and provides legal counsel at McNair International, Qatar. He has held key roles in the Nigerian Bar Association and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and holds degrees from Oxford, Harvard, University of Calgary, Igbinedion University, and the Nigerian Law School. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, and holds leadership roles in several international law and environmental law organizations.

Justice Ayotunde Phillips, a second-generation judge, was born to Hon. Justice James Oladipo Williams and Henrietta Aina Williams. Inspired by her father, she earned an LLB (Honours) from the University of Lagos in 1973 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1974.
Her legal career began with the late Kehinde Sofola SAN in 1975, followed by a stint at the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), where she rose to Secretary/Legal Adviser. She transitioned to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in 1990, becoming Director of Civil Litigation and later a High Court Judge in February 1994.
Justice Phillips served in numerous judicial roles, including Chair of the Lagos Settlement Week, Probate Judge, Admin Judge of Ikeja Judicial Division, and Chair of the Welfare Committee of the High Court. Notably, she became the 14th Chief Judge and the 4th female Chief Judge of Lagos State in June 2012, retiring in 2014 after 38 years of service, 20 of which were on the High Court Bench.
She is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Lagos Court of Arbitration, among others. She also serves on FIFA's Ethics Committee.

His Imperial Majesty King (Dr.) Baridam Suanu Timothy Yormaadam, affectionately known as the Duke of Ogoniland, has a distinguished professional background that encompasses significant roles in banking, corporate management, and traditional leadership.

His banking career includes positions at Zenith Bank PLC, Allstate Trust Bank, and Bank of the North (Unity Bank PLC), where he advanced to a managerial role before resigning to fulfill his ancestral duties. Currently, he serves as the Managing Director at Barec & Bareb Vision Nigeria Ltd, Executive Director of Finance at Ogoni Royal Resources and Energy Limited (OGREE LTD), and Registrar at Abbie Culinary Art Academy & Hospitality. Additionally, he is the Spokesperson for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Chairman of the Peace & Livelihood Support Organization, a non-governmental organization focused on community support.

In the realm of traditional leadership, His Majesty holds numerous esteemed positions, including Chairman of the Bangha Council of Traditional Rulers and Elders, Nyokhana Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Khana Traditional Rulers Council. He is also a permanent member of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, and serves as Treasurer of the African Indigenes Governance Authority, among other significant roles within traditional governance bodies.

This blend of banking expertise, corporate leadership, and traditional governance underscores His Imperial Majesty's commitment to community development and social responsibility.

Anne Ekongolo is an Attorney and Counselor at Law, Member of the Cameroon Bar Association and Managing Partner at Ekongolo & Associates Law Firm. She is specialized in Business law, Investment law, Litigation, and Arbitration. She is currently the President of the Technical Commitee of CAM CCIMA (Court of Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Handicrafts of Cameroon) and the former President of the Cameroonian National Commitee of UIA (Union Internationale des Avocats). She is a long serving member of the IFA (French Institute of Directors) and SCCE (Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics).

Dr. Ayodele Oni is a partner at Bloomfield LP, and he is celebrated for his expertise in electricity, oil, and gas projects, financing, acquisitions, and restructuring. He is a thought leader in Nigeria’s energy sector, contributing significantly to transformative policy developments. His work includes creating template documents, rules, and regulations for the natural gas and electric power sectors.

Internationally recognized, Ayodele has been lauded by Who’s Who Legal as being “in a league of his own” and ranked among the world’s leading lawyers by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. He has played a pivotal role in high-profile transactions, including the Shell and Chevron divestment deals, Nigeria's 2020 marginal fields bid round, and numerous oil and gas acquisitions, divestments, and financings.

Ayodele advised the Bureau of Public Enterprises on the post-privatisation restructuring of Nigeria's electric power sector and has provided regulatory and policy support to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the World Bank. His expertise spans energy infrastructure projects, including refining, pipelines, and electric power sector transactions, where he is a key negotiator. Ayodele is an adjunct lecturer and the author of leading texts on energy law.

Olayemi Anyanechi is is a Nigerian lawyer, writer, negotiator and public speaker and currently the Commission Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.
One of Nigeria’s foremost energy and finance lawyers, Olayemi has 27 years’ cognate experience advising indigenous and multinational companies as well as public bodies on diverse areas of law.
She graduated with a degree in law from the University of Ibadan as the best overall graduating student of her set and obtained a Masters’ degree in Corporate and Commercial law from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. She was Chevening Scholar as well as a Pegasus Scholar of the Inner Temple, UK.

Olayemi has worked in various capacities including as Founder and Managing Partner of Sefton Fross, a leading law firm in Nigeria, Senior Partner and Head of the Banking & Finance Practice at Templars, General Counsel at Sahara Energy Group of companies, amongst others.

A woman of many parts, she has served as the Regional Representative (Africa) of the International Bar Association’s Power Law Committee, the Chairperson of the Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Re-Organizations Committee of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Thematic Lead for Finance of The National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) amongst several other roles.

She has been internationally recognized as a Global and National Leader in Energy and Natural Resources Law by Who’s Who Legal, one of the 9 super elite Leading Individuals in banking and finance law in Nigeria by Legal 500, and a Highly Regarded Corporate, Financial and Infrastructure Lawyer by IFLR1000. She was listed as one of 20 Outstanding Woman in Business Law, for Project Finance, by BusinessDay 2020, African Women in Law Woman to Watch in Law, 2020, Listed Top 100 Leading Women in the 2021 Nigerian Women Annual, Top 20 Nigerian Female Lawyers, This Day Newspapers, and was acknowledgement at the 2023 PEBEC Awards for contribution to the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

As Founder and Managing Partner of Sefton Fross, the Firm won several notable awards and recommendations, including Business Day’s “Top 100 Fastest Growing SMEs in Nigeria”; “Energy Team of the Year” and “Oil and Gas Team of the Year” by ESQ Legal Awards.

An erudite writer and speaker, Olayemi regularly contributes to international journals, books and magazines on oil and gas and banking and finance law, and recently co-authored two Chapters of the Globe Law and Business 2019 and 2023 “Encyclopedia of Upstream Oil and Gas”.

Her personal mission statement is to live a balanced life, and use her gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to build lasting legacies and cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of people around her.

Dr. BITHO is an attorney and the Founder of BITHO LAW, a law firm specializing in business law in Paris. He acts as an arbitrator or counsel in arbitration matters. Dr. BITHO has nearly two decades of experience in the United States, France, and Togo. He specializes particularly in commercial and investment arbitration, as well as in legal engineering related to business law, including cross-border infrastructure and energy projects, project financing, international investment, and OHADA business law. Dr. BITHO also assists English-speaking foreign investors navigating the complex African legal landscape, as well as African companies that wish to expand within Africa or internationally. He is the author of two theses: one from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (France) on "Protection of Trade Secrets in International Commercial Arbitration," and the other on "Piercing the Corporate Veil in LLC" from Austin Law School in Texas (USA). Dr. BITHO is also a university professor and an author.

Florence Shako is a legal academic, advocate, and consultant who undertakes research in access to justice and business and human rights issues. She graduated with a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She also received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, Kenya where she graduated at the top of her class. Florence is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and the Senior Partner at Mitullah, Shako, and Associates Advocates, a boutique law firm in Nairobi, Kenya that embraces social justice values.

She is the current Vice Chairperson of Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR), a professional association of women in the field of alternative dispute resolution. She is also the Kluwer Arbitration Blog Representative for the London Court of International Arbitration.

Dr. Enga Kameni is the Senior Manager for Intra-African Trade and Corporate Finance at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Cairo, Egypt. In this role, he negotiates, structures, and documents loan transactions where the Bank is a lender, co-lender, or borrower. Before joining Afreximbank, he gained extensive experience as an International Associate in Finance & Capital Markets at Clifford Chance LLP, Paris, Legal Advisor at Perenco Oil & Gas, London, and Manager in Tax & Legal Services at Ernst & Young.

He holds a master's degree in corporate law and governance from Harvard Law School, where he was recognized as a Dean Clark Scholar and Frank S. Lally Scholar. He also holds a master's degree from the University of the Western Cape and a doctorate in international trade law from the University of Pretoria. He is admitted to practice law in New York and Cameroon and was named a “New Leader for Tomorrow” by the Crans Montana Forum in 2016.

He serves as a visiting lecturer at prestigious institutions including Harvard Law School and the University of Pretoria, and was appointed Adjunct Professor of International Trade and Finance Law at the University of the Western Cape in 2022.

Professor Olajide Olagunju, Ph.D., FCIArb, FICMC is a seasoned attorney, conflict resolution expert, and peace scholar with over three decades of experience in arbitration, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and mediation. A Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, which he co-founded in 1999, Professor Olagunju has been instrumental in shaping ADR practices in Nigeria and beyond.

As a Professor of Conflict Resolution at Bakke Graduate University and a Visiting Professor at Université de l'Alliance Chrétienne d'Abidjan, he has guided numerous students in dialogue, negotiation, and justice studies. His groundbreaking advisory role to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Labor in 2012 helped resolve a national impasse, leading to the privatization of the Nigerian electricity sector and benefiting millions across West Africa.

Professor Olagunju’s extensive experience also includes working with global institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and Harvard University, where he contributes as a thought leader in arbitration and peace studies. His research delves into the intersection of law, underdevelopment, and social conflict, with a particular focus on Legal Anthropology and ADR. Additionally, through OSIWA, he has trained leaders from Northern Nigeria’s herder and farmer communities embroiled in violent conflict, underscoring his commitment to sustainable peace-building.

Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State (FUD). He received his BSc in Computer Science from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Calabar, MSc. Computer Science from Bayero University Kano and his PhD. Computer Science from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Dr. Aliyu is the Director Information Communication Technology FUD, Once Head of Cyber security Department, Department of Computer Science Postgraduate Programme Coordinator, Faculty of Computing Postgraduate Coordinator, Board Member National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Member National Council For Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He is a Charted Information Technology Professional (Citp) registered by Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, A Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society, A Member of Academia in Information Technology Professionals, A Professional Teacher registered by Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, A Member of IEEE, A Member of IEEE Computer Society, A Member of Global Internet Society, A Member of Nigeria Internet Society and A Member of Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communication. He starts his work career as a Lecturer at College of Agriculture Lafia, Nasarawa State. Apart from his lecturing job, he also set up (started) and Head there Information Technology Unit. After few years of his career at the college, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu returned back to Katsina State in 2006, where he accepted a tenure appointment at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic as a Lecturer.He became Examination Officer, acted as the Head of Computer Department, Café Manager, ICT Manager, and ICT Coordinator of the Polytechnic. He also coordinated IT competition organized by Nigeria Computer Society as the State and Northwest zone coordinator, attended IT Institute accreditation organized by Computer Registration Council of Nigeria.He has been External Examiner for Postgraduate and Undergraduate students at different Universities. A reviewer to local and International Journals such as IEEE Journals and ELSEVIER Journal. He has attended and facilitated different Trainings, Workshops and Conferences Locally and Internationally. He has served Nigeria Computer Society at different capacity such as Katsina Chapter Chairman, North West Zone coordinator, North West Zone representative to Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria, he was the Deputy President of Nigeria Computer Society for two terms, that facilitate the activation of several State Chapter and served as Chairman of different NCS committee such as the building of NCS National Secretariat and he is now the President of Nigeria Computer Society.

Folashade Alli is a globally acclaimed lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Fellow, and Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). She is the Principal Partner at Folashade Alli and Associates, a Lagos-based law firm recognised for excellence in Arbitration, Oil and Gas, and Corporate and Commercial Law.
A graduate of the University of Lagos, Folashade was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. She earned her LLM from University College London in 1987 and was called to the English Bar in 1990, becoming a Lincoln’s Inn, London member.

She serves on the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators' Professional Conduct Committee and is a Nigerian representative on the ICC Commission’s Taskforce on Arbitration and ADR. In 2024, she was appointed by the Attorney General of the Federation to audit critical Gas Sales and Purchase Agreements. She has delivered papers at prominent international conferences, including the ICC Africa Conference and Dubai Arbitration Week.
Mrs. Alli leads several women empowerment programs. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Legal Amazon Award and recognition as one of the top 50 women in Nigeria’s legal profession. She speaks English fluently and has a working knowledge of French.

Momoh is the managing partner of Mitchell Simmonds, a niche commercial and dispute resolution law firm based in Canary Wharf, London. Momoh is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK, and his practice focuses on the full spectrum of commercial law and dispute resolution. He has particular experience and focuses on international arbitration and commercial litigation. Being dual-qualified in England & Wales, and Nigeria has provided Momoh with practical insight and formidable experience in various cross-border dispute resolution matters. Momoh is familiar with all the major institutional arbitration rules: ICC, LCIA, LMAA, PCA, UNCITRAL, ICSID, LCA, etc, and he is also an accredited mediator.
Momoh’s core expertise and experience in arbitration and commercial litigation routinely arise from oil & gas, energy/power generation and distribution, mining and natural resources, construction and infrastructure projects, corporate & commercial, joint ventures, shipping and maritime, and foreign investment protection. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) Degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary University of London, and a recipient of advanced training in International Arbitration and International Investment Law at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Funke 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. Currently, there are fewer than 30 female Senior Advocates of Nigeria out of 600 conferred with the rank since inception in 1975.

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.

She was pioneer Editor and creator of THISDAY LAWYER, a 16-page weekly colour and imaginative pull-out law section of Nigeria’s leading newspaper, THISDAY, where she also maintained for 13 years a weekly column, The Wig & Skirt, regularly speaking truth to power.

A Notary Public, Funke is a member of the International Bar Association and the Nigerian Bar Association where she served as a pioneer council member of the Section on Business Law.

Funke is a much sought after public speaker and has presented papers locally and internationally. She has spoken widely on diverse topics that range from law to leadership. She is also a rare two-time Fellow of the world class Salzburg Seminar, Austria.

Funke has served as Chairperson of the Lagos State Prerogative of Mercy Council set up under the Nigerian Constitution to advise the Lagos State Governor on the grant of pardon, respite, substitution or remission of sentences on convicts. Her close interaction and work with Attorneys-General across the nation deepened her knowledge of the challenges of public sector provision of legal services to the citizenry.

Olusegun Tawoju is a dynamic and results-oriented corporate lawyer with approximately 27 years of post-call experience in commercial and civil dispute resolution. After being called to the Bar, he spent a few years in legal practice, working on various matters ranging from contentious litigation to commercial and real estate transactions. He has since gained about 23 years of experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer in the financial sector, working in the legal departments of several banks, rising to senior management roles.

He advanced to become the Head of the Legal Department at Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) and later served as the General Counsel and Company Secretary of the bank, holding these positions for a combined period of over nine years. Throughout his career in banking as a Legal Adviser and Company Secretary, he collaborated with external solicitors on several significant transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, receivership, loan recovery, and foreclosure of securities. He was also directly involved in multilateral funding, capital raising, club lending, syndications, corporate finance, and deal structuring.

Olusegun was one of the lawyers who represented banks financing the acquisition of Discos and Gencos by private entities and the financing of major telecommunications companies in Nigeria. He also played a key role in the financing of several Oil Mining Leases (OMLs), oil and gas infrastructure, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transactions, among others. He is widely regarded by clients and colleagues as an attorney who consistently delivers results, providing legal solutions that align with clients' business needs.
An excellent team player and a resourceful corporate and commercial lawyer, Segun holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Law. He is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School and the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where he honed his skills in negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria. He is currently the legal adviser/company secretary of Lotus Bank.

Mr. Adeola Rahman Ipaye attended the University of Lagos where he obtained the B.A. Hons Degree in History (1984), LL.B. (Hons) (1988) and LL.M. (1992). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. After a brief stint in private legal practice, research and electronic publishing, he joined the Department of Commercial & Industrial Law of the same University as Assistant Lecturer in 1992. His teaching and research were mainly in the areas of Commercial & Industrial Law, including Taxation and Arbitration. Apart from introducing and teaching Arbitration as a course for professional Diploma students of the Department, he was, for several years, a facilitator at the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigeria) and the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators.
At the Unilag Law Faculty, Mr. Ipaye rose steadily through the ranks and by 2000, he was a Senior Lecturer and Sub-Dean of Law. He also published several academic papers and attended local and international conferences.

In June 2001, he was appointed Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Legal Matters. He was subsequently appointed to the State Executive Council as Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue (2007 to 2011) and Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice (2011 to 2015). In the Lagos State Government, Mr. Ipaye left a record of achievements in public revenue administration, criminal and constitutional litigation, justice sector reforms, as well as justice delivery to disadvantaged members of the society.

In June 2015, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, in which capacity he served for eight years as Chief of Staff to the Vice President.

In recognition of his accomplishments in public service, Ade Ipaye received National Honours as an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and National Productivity Order of Merit Awardee. He is currently the Principal Partner at Vantage Attorneys LP, a firm of Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators based in Abuja

Sola Obadimu is the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) since September 2022. Before this, he served as the Director-General of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC). With a distinguished career in managing membership-based organisations, he has held leadership roles, including Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Director-General of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Founding Executive Secretary of the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce and as Investment Promotion and business Development Consultant for the UNDP/Columbia University Millennium City Initiatives (MCI) project.
He holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, an MBA, and an M.Sc. in Economics, all from the University of Lagos. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, among others. He is also an active public speaker and contributor to management and trade development discourse in Nigeria

Timi Olagunju is a lawyer with expertise in tech policy and governance. He was Global Vice President on the Advisory Board, International Republican Institute’s Generation Democracy (IRI-GD) and a 2020 Most Influential Young Nigerian in Policy Influencing (YNaija). Timi is a Lead Consultant for Speyside Group providing consultancy on public policy, government relations and public affairs in emerging and high-growth markets. Before then, he was a Policy and Research Fellow at Global Integrity, Open Gov Hub, in Washington DC. In March 2021, he was selected in the Research Sprint of the Berkman Klein Centre for Internet and Society, Harvard Law School [HLS], on the subject of ‘digital self-determination’, supported by the President of Germany. He is currently undergoing a postgrad at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government [HKS], with focus on AI, blockchain and broadband policy and governance. He is the founder, Youths in Motion and has received awards for his distinction in policy influencing and leadership, including an award from the Ooni of Ife [2022] and President Barack Obama [2015].

Oluwatoyin Bamidele Oni, MCArb a Corporate-Commercial Lawyer with years of experience in Legal Practice and Arbitration. He has attended numerous trainings and workshops and has acquired practical and real-life experiences in Arbitration, Banking and Project Finance, Infrastructure and PPP, Mergers, Acquisition, and Transaction advisories.

Oluwatoyin Bamidele Oni is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), The National Coordinator of the Young Arbitrators Network of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, a Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration (ICSAN), a Member of Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative (DRLI), a Member of The International Organisation of Management Professionals (IOMP), a Member of the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association of Nigeria (IPLAN), a Member of the Space Law & Arbitration Association (SLAA), and a Member of Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration

Jemimah Emaojo Adejoh is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and a private Legal Practitioner with deep passion for the promotion and adoption of Arbitration, Mediation and other ADR mechanisms in dispute resolution. She was called to the Nigeria Bar in 2017 and began her legal career with the Central Bank of Nigeria before advancing to serve as Company Secretary for Hi-Cube Global Oil and Gas Limited and Legal Advisor for African Service Incubation.
She has years of wide-ranging experience in Corporate, Company and Commercial Practice, including Insolvency Law, Information Technology(IT) Law (where she renders extensive advisory and documentation services), Arbitration, Taxation, Banking Law, Civil and Commercial Litigation and acts as Counsel to several government agencies and multinational corporations across the world.
She is currently the Principal Partner, Daysman Solicitors and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Daysman Kids Foundation. She is also a member of several professional bodies.