This interview has been published by Namrata Singh and The SuperLawyer Team
You’ve had an impressive legal journey from Nigeria to working with leading firms in London and Hamburg. Could you share what inspired you to pursue law, and how your career has evolved over the years?
My decision to pursue a legal career was influenced by a combination of factors. While I cannot pinpoint a single defining moment, I am certain that law has always been a natural fit for me. Growing up, I was drawn to reading, arguing, and intellectual competitions. My parents, who are both lawyers, also played a role in shaping my aspirations.
Before enrolling at the University of Dundee to study English Law, I completed a one-year foundation program at Global College in Lagos, Nigeria. During this time, I excelled in both economics and law but ultimately chose to pursue law due to my stronger aptitude for Law and English. I have never regretted this decision, as law has provided me with a dynamic and fulfilling career.
My career has evolved, and this has been marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and new opportunities. I have been privileged to work locally and internationally on interesting cases and projects and have also been able to successfully transition from the private sector to the public sector.
I believe my career evolution has been largely influenced by direction from God, intentional acts towards my goals, support from family and friends, networking, and a willingness and curiosity to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
Having worked with prominent arbitration firms in Lagos, London, and Hamburg, what key lessons have you learned about managing cross-border disputes that could benefit young lawyers entering international arbitration?
Before I specifically answer this question, I would like to state what I usually tell my friends and mentors when describing my experience in these three jurisdictions. While working at Aluko & Oyebode in Lagos, I learned the importance of hard work and dedication.
While working at WilmerHale in London, I learned that my career advancement requires proactive steps and I have the personal responsibility for my career growth. As one of fifteen international arbitration interns, I had to take proactive steps to stand out and contribute positively to the Firm.
While working at Hanefeld in Germany, I learned the value of efficiency and delivering high-quality work within short deadlines.
Aside from these anecdotes, thorough legal analysis, cultural sensitivity, effective communication skills and strategic planning are necessary for effectively managing cross-border disputes.
In your current role with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), you’re shaping the country’s data protection framework. How do you think data protection laws can drive economic growth, and what challenges do you face in balancing innovation with privacy?
Thank you for this insightful question. I am proud to be working alongside brilliant professionals at the NDPC and relevant stakeholders to develop comprehensive and effective regulations. It is an interesting and dynamic role.
Data plays a crucial role in driving economic growth by enabling informed decision-making, fostering innovation, and improving efficiency. By protecting personal data and ensuring its responsible use, we can create a trustworthy environment that attracts investment, stimulates entrepreneurship, and promotes economic development.
Balancing innovation with privacy is a key challenge in today’s digital age. At the NDPC, we prioritise the protection of citizens’ privacy rights while recognising the importance of fostering innovation. We strive to develop data protection laws that strike a balance between these competing interests, ensuring that citizens’ privacy rights are safeguarded while allowing for responsible data use in innovation.
In your opinion, what new dimensions in law, such as technology and data privacy, should upcoming legal professionals focus on to remain competitive in the evolving global legal market?
The global legal market is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing societal dynamics. To remain competitive, upcoming legal professionals should focus on developing expertise in unique and contemporary areas of law to distinguish themselves. A few examples of these are; technology law; data privacy and protection; international dispute resolution; cyber security; anti-trust; and restitution law.
While it is important to specialise in specific areas, a strong foundation in general legal principles is essential for a successful legal career.
Throughout your career, have there been any cases or projects where the outcome didn’t go as planned? What did you learn from those experiences, and how do you view the role of failure in professional growth?
Throughout my career, I have encountered cases and projects that did not unfold as planned. In these moments, I focus on understanding the reasons for these outcomes and developing strategies to resolve these issues. This often involves open communication with clients, strategic thinking and exploring alternative approaches. These experiences have been valuable learning opportunities, teaching me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
Most times what we perceive as “failure” is often subjective, and shaped by our individual goals and inspirations. In my journey, I have come to view these “failures” as opportunities for growth and redirection. By embracing challenges and learning from them, young lawyers can develop resilience and a determination to succeed.
I believe that “failure” plays a valuable role in professional growth. It helps us to identify our strengths and weaknesses, develop new strategies, and ultimately achieve our goals. So instead of fearing “failure”, we should embrace it as a natural part of the learning process.
You’ve been recognized as a rising star in the legal world. How do you personally define success in your career, and what values do you prioritize when working on high-stakes legal matters?
I define success as continuous growth and development in my legal career. This means staying curious, seeking new challenges, and striving to become better every day.
When working on high-stakes legal matters, I prioritise the following values; analytical skills; diligence; hard work; resilience; discipline and respect for colleagues.
As a successful female lawyer in international arbitration and data protection, what challenges have you faced in navigating these male-dominated sectors, and what advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter similar fields?
One thing that has defined my attitude to work is my belief that I can achieve anything I put my mind to and that my gender does not limit my capabilities as a legal professional.
I have also been fortunate to have the support of mentors, both male and female, who have continually provided advice and assistance at various stages of my career. In addition, having female colleagues who are equally excelling in their careers demonstrates that gender is not a barrier to success.
Initiatives like the Equal Representation in Arbitration, and ARBinBRIEF have been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusion in international arbitration. ARBinBRIEF is a practical video guide on arbitration issues led by female practitioners. As a founding member, I had the privilege of working alongside talented and inspiring women from around the world. This experience was insightful and inspirational.
I would advise young women to have unwavering confidence in their abilities, work hard, pursue knowledge, seek mentorship, network actively, participate in diversity initiatives, and not be afraid to create their unique path. It is okay to take the road less travelled.
You developed a short documentary on the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023. How did this creative process of storytelling influence your perspective on law, and do you believe more legal professionals should engage in creative forms of legal education?
Creating a documentary on the Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2023 (AMA) was a rewarding experience that allowed me to explore my creative side. I decided to pursue this at a period in my life when I had a bit of time. My main goal while developing the documentary was to educate professionals on the significance, potential impact, and rationale behind certain key provisions of the AMA.
While producing the documentary did not significantly alter my perspective on law, it did open my eyes to the intricacies of visual storytelling. The creative process required skills beyond my typical legal practice, such as developing a theme, creating an effective teaser and video editing.
I firmly believe that legal professionals should explore creative forms of legal education. People are more likely to remember information presented compellingly and engagingly. In today’s digital world, incorporating visual storytelling can be a powerful tool for attracting clients, educating the public, and building a strong brand.
With such a demanding and diverse legal career, how do you find time to unwind and recharge? Are there any specific activities or practices that help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Balancing a demanding legal career with a personal life can be challenging. While the traditional concept of “work-life balance” may not always be achievable, I have found that integrating work into my life has been useful.
One thing I do to stay organised and manage my workload effectively is to prioritise completing small tasks during downtime. This includes responding to short emails during lunch breaks, catching up with projects on weekends, and creating weekly to-do lists on Sundays. This allows me to stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
To fully unwind, I prioritize spending quality time with my family and friends, exploring new places and travelling. One of my personal goals is to visit a new country every year. This year, I was fortunate enough to travel to China as part of the NDPC delegation, which was a truly rewarding and insightful experience.
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