To underscore the need for responsible and rights-based approaches to trade, investment, banking and business practices across Africa, a frontline energy lawyer and global vice-chair of the International Law Association (ILA), Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), has co-edited a new book titled Business and Human Rights Law and Practice in Africa.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Published by Edward Elgar, United Kingdom, the 350-page book is co-edited by Olawuyi and Oyeniyi Abe, a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom and senior fellow in business and human rights law at the Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES Institute), Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
According to Olawuyi, a senior advocate of Nigeria who was recently appointed by the United Nations as an Independent Expert of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights to represent Africa, “Since the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011, a vast volume of literature has been generated on its application in Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America amongst others. What however remained absent for many years was an in-depth, exhaustive and book length exposition of the application of the UNGPs in African countries. This book fills a significant gap in this regard.”
He noted that this new book is the very first book-length examination of business and human rights law and practice in Africa. It unpacks good-fit and home-grown approaches for advancing business and human rights norms across Africa. It explores the latest developments in law, regulations, policies, and governance structures across the continent, focusing on key legal innovations in response to human rights impacts of business operations and activities.
Taking an international and comparative approach, the book includes in-depth analyses and contributions from expert scholars and practitioners from all regions of Africa (East, West, Central, South and North). The book provides a complete survey of the multifarious regulatory and institutional gaps that limit the coherent development and application of business and human rights law and practice at national and regional levels in Africa. It offers conceptual and theoretical reflections on how African countries can effectively mainstream human rights standards and considerations into all aspects of development planning and decision-making.
The comprehensive and innovative approach of the book has received significant commendation from leading scholars and industry stakeholders. Professor Obiora C. Okafor, United Nations Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity noted that the book “is a solid and welcome intervention in the highly topical and fast-growing literature on business and human rights more generally, and as it concerns Africa – a continent on which the negative impacts of the activities of large business corporations has been hard felt for centuries now.”
Similarly, Professor Surya Deva, a professor of law at the Macquarie Law School, Australia and former independent expert of the United Nations Working Group on business and Human Rights expressed that “this volume provides much-needed African perspectives on the business and human rights landscape. Such work should help in promoting business respect for human rights and corporate acceptability in different world regions.’
On his own part, Ilias Bantekas, a professor of law at Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar noted that “the in-depth and systematic approach of this book makes it a must-read for students, academics, practitioners, policy makers and business leaders in Africa and beyond.”
While reacting on behalf of the editors and contributors, Prof. Olawuyi, SAN thanked the many helping hands at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) for their dedication and support, without which the publication of the book would not have been possible. He stated that “The book is specifically dedicated to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN a frontline business and human rights lawyer, trailblazer, proprietor and founder of ABUAD, who for several decades has utilized his legal expertise to provide ethical guidance and wisdom to business enterprises operating in Africa and beyond, in key economic sectors. We are inspired by his exemplary leadership and achievements in this field, and in celebration of this, we have put together this book to provide a simplified toolkit for lawyers, investors, students, corporations, ministries, arbitrators, courts, and international tribunals, to understand the corporate strategies for managing business and human rights risks when investing in the African continent” he concluded.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
