The Nigerian legal community gathered in grandeur last Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, for the prestigious 12th edition of the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards. The black-tie event served as a powerful tribute to the lawyers and institutions deemed the “unseen architects” of the nation’s economic growth and governance.
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In his address, the convener of the awards, Mr. Lere Fashola, Founder and Publisher of ESQ Legal Blitz, underscored the ceremony’s profound significance. “The Nigerian Legal Awards celebrate the important contribution of lawyers to businesses; they are the unseen architects of growth, governance, and trust in our economy,” Fashola stated. He emphasized that the 2025 edition reinforced their commitment to “spotlighting the transformative role of legal excellence in shaping commerce, justice, and national progress.”
The awards ceremony was structured around three core pillars designed to honour excellence across the full spectrum of the legal profession. The Law Firm Practice Area Categories celebrated firms and practice groups that demonstrated exceptional skill and innovation in deals with significant commercial impact over the past 18 months. The Nigerian Rising Stars: 40 Under 40 category spotlighted a new generation of legal talent, honouring 40 exceptional lawyers under the age of 40 who have shown remarkable promise and leadership early in their careers. Lastly, the Editors’ Merit Awards honoured distinguished individuals for their lifelong contributions, integrity, and enduring impact on governance and national development.
Lifetime Achievement And Rising Talent Honoured — 12th ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards Celebrates Lawyers As “Unseen Architects” Of Nigeria’s Growth pic.twitter.com/KFI75g0L7G
— The Nigeria Lawyer (@Nigerialawyers) November 15, 2025
A rigorous and transparent judging process, led by an independent international panel, ensured the awards’ credibility. The panel was chaired by Mr. Kamal Shah, Partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, and included respected practitioners and business leaders such as Noella Lubano of Oraro & Company (Kenya) and Funmi Iyayi of Templars, among others. This diverse blend of local and international expertise guaranteed a merit-driven evaluation process aligned with global best practices.
The symbolism of the awards themselves reflected the ceremony’s gravitas. Winners in the practice-based categories received a bespoke, handcrafted crystal trophy depicting a blindfolded woman in traditional Yoruba attire, holding a sword and scales a representation of impartial justice, cultural pride, and professional excellence. Recipients of the Editors’ Merit Award were presented with a unique crystal trophy featuring a sage before a computer screen, symbolizing the fusion of traditional wisdom with technological innovation in modern legal practice.
The event celebrated a wide array of legal professionals and institutions. Below is a selection of the notable award recipients from the evening:
| Award Category | Honouree | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Alhaji Hamed Raji, SAN | Honoured for a lifetime of contributions to the legal field |
| Legal Amazon of the Year | Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, SAN | Recognized as an exceptional female lawyer |
| Editors’ Merit Awards | Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (Former Minister of Works) | Honoured for transformative contributions to governance and policy |
| Editors’ Merit Awards | Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment) | Honoured for transformative contributions to governance and policy |
| Editors’ Merit Awards | Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN (Minister of Aviation) | Honoured for transformative contributions to governance and policy |
| Editors’ Merit Awards | Mr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN (Ondo State Attorney General) | Honoured for transformative contributions to governance and policy |
Now in its 12th year, the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards has firmly established itself as the definitive platform for legal distinction in Nigeria. By celebrating professional excellence, innovation, and ethical leadership, the awards not only honour individual and institutional achievements but also inspire the entire legal community to higher standards.
The event successfully highlighted the pivotal, yet often overlooked, role that lawyers play as architects of stability and progress in Nigeria’s expanding economy.
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