Legal team size: Twelve

What strategic priorities are guiding your legal team into 2025?

Given my organisation’s focus on investing in the life, general and health insurance sectors, our legal team will continue to play a critical role in navigating complex and evolving landscapes. 2025 Strategic priorities guiding the legal team include the following: 1) Supporting Business Growth by providing legal counsel and support for our organisation’s businesses, product launches, and strategic partnerships, including conducting thorough due diligence and expert legal review and negotiation of all key contracts. 2) Proactive Regulatory Compliance achieved through monitoring and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, while proactively identifying and mitigating potential legal and regulatory risks. This will also involve developing robust internal controls to mitigate operational and compliance risks. 3) Effective litigation & dispute resolution as well as providing legal support for claims management processes, including investigations, assessments, and settlements. 4) Enhanced Corporate Governance by advising on corporate governance matters, ensuring compliance with corporate governance codes, and addressing data privacy and security concerns. 5) Impactful industry engagement by actively advocating for favourable policies and staying informed of industry trends to inform legal and business strategies. By focusing on these priorities, the legal team can effectively support our organisation’s growth and sustainability objectives in 2025 and beyond.

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economy or business-based)?

As Group General Counsel of an investment holding company with subsidiaries operating in the life, general and health insurance sectors in Nigeria, some of the salient trends currently observed include the following: 1) Economic Considerations – Economic pressures in Nigeria, including inflation and fluctuating currency values, create a challenging environment for the insurance industry as these economic realities affect insurers’ investment strategies and overall business operations. Simultaneously, consumers are faced with difficult choices, often having to choose between purchasing insurance and affording necessities. 2) Regulatory Oversight – Certain sectors face more complex regulations especially around financial stability (capital adequacy), cybersecurity, and new technologies. Regulators are also closely watching how companies are run (corporate governance), how they manage risks, and how they protect customers. Therefore, strong internal controls are essential for reducing risks. 3) Digital transformation and rising customer expectations are changing the business landscape. Companies now understand they must prioritise digital channels and personalised experiences to provide excellent customer service, using advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics. 4) Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations are becoming increasingly important for organisations, both from a reputational and regulatory perspective. Staying abreast of these developments and adapting to the changing environment are, therefore, critical for the success of any organisation.

Are there any causes, business or otherwise, you are passionate about?

I am passionate about using my skills and knowledge to draft laws and policies that have a tangible and positive impact on the lives of people in my country and community. I believe that well-crafted legislation and policies can address critical issues such as ease of doing business, consumer needs, gender inequalities as well as other topical ESG considerations.