The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2025 is poised to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Nigeria’s legal, recognizing lawyers and institutions that fuel business innovation, governance, and national progress. Scheduled for November 9 at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, the 12th edition of this prestigious event promises to celebrate excellence amid a competitive field of rising stars and seasoned veterans.
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More than a gala, the awards serve as a testament to the pivotal role of legal professionals in powering Nigeria’s economy. “The Nigerian Legal Awards celebrates the important contribution of lawyers to businesses they are the unseen architects of growth, governance, and trust in our economy,” said Lere Fashola, Founder and Publisher of ESQ Legal Blitz and Convener of the awards. “This year’s edition reinforces our commitment to spotlighting the transformative role of legal excellence in shaping commerce, justice, and national progress.”
Distinguished Honorees and Institutional Trailblazers
This year’s lineup features a roster of high-profile figures whose work has left an indelible mark on law and policy. Key individual honorees include:
- Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Lawyer and Former Minister of Works
- Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
- Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister for Aviation
- Alhaji Hamed Raji, SAN, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award
- Mr. Kayode Ajulo, Honourable Attorney General of Ondo State
- Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, honored as Legal Amazon of the Year for exceptional female lawyers
Institutions earning accolades encompass regulatory bodies and corporate giants such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zenith Bank Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Rendeavour Nigeria & Alaro City, and Oando Plc.
The awards build on a storied legacy, having previously recognized luminaries like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Chief Afe Babalola, SAN; the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN; Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; Hon. Justice Muhammed Uwais, CJN (Rtd); and Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore, CJN (Rtd).
Categories Spotlighting Innovation and Leadership
The 2025 awards are divided into three core pillars, each highlighting different dimensions of legal prowess:
- Law Firm Practice Area Categories: This deal-focused segment honors firms and teams for their innovative solutions that deliver measurable business impact over the past 18 months. Judged on fairness and merit by an independent panel, it fosters competition and elevates standards. “We are thrilled to recognise the outstanding achievements of these exceptional law firms and their teams,” noted the Organising Committee. “The Nigerian Legal Awards is a testament to their dedication, innovation, and excellence in the legal field and the resultant effect on the growth of commerce in Nigeria.”
- Nigerian Rising Stars: 40 Under 40: This category spotlights 40 lawyers under 40 of Nigerian descent who exhibit early-career brilliance across firms, corporations, NGOs, and agencies. Past recipients have ascended to roles like Managing Partners and General Counsel, underscoring the program’s role in nurturing future leaders.
- Editors’ Merit Awards: Reserved for icons embodying integrity and impact, these honors extend beyond the courtroom to governance and policy contributions, emphasizing lawyers’ role in sectors like oil and gas, telecoms, finance, and real estate.
Fashola emphasized the awards’ unique Nigerian flavor: “All over the world, there are similar respectable ceremonies that grant prizes, but this offers another flavour as it is specifically for Nigerian lawyers… As we stick very closely to the new trends in the market, we are able to see before anyone else and spot the new ‘kids on the block.’”
Winners in practice-based categories will receive handcrafted crystal trophies inspired by the awards’ logo: a blindfolded African woman in traditional attire, wielding a sword and scales to symbolize impartial justice. Etched with “ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards,” the design blends cultural pride with professional gravitas.
Editors’ Merit recipients get bespoke crystals featuring a wise sage before a computer screen, merging tradition with tech-savvy innovation each personalized with the award title.
Oversight comes from a diverse panel chaired by Kamal Shah of Stephenson Harwood LLP, including Noella Lubano (Oraro & Company, Kenya), Foluke Akinmoladun (Trizon Law Chambers, Nigeria), Babatunde Akinyanju (Setfords, UK), Ola Belgore (Utica Capital), Nick Ashcroft (Addleshaw Goddard, UK), Chidi Momah (OCM Associates and NNPC), Funmi Iyayi (Templars), and Matthew Wood (Ashurst LLP, UK). This blend ensures transparency and alignment with global benchmarks.
The black-tie affair, hosted by ESQ Trainings Limited and Legal Blitz Limited, draws support from partners like Stephenson Harwood, Addleshaw Goddard, Latham & Watkins, Tettracore Group, Aradel, Rendeavour-Alaro City, Zenith Bank Plc, FrieslandCampina, Danone, Cadbury Nigeria, Kiakia Finance UK, Parsons UK, and The Legal ESG Collective.
For more details, visit www.nigerianlegalawards.com or contact the Press & Communications Office at esqnigerianlegalawards@gmail.com or +234 8132676084.
The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, now in its 12th year, remains Africa’s premier platform for legal distinction, championing the profession’s vital contributions to business and society.
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