Legal team size: Eleven

Bio

Donald Kanu is the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser at AIICO Insurance Plc. He commenced his career with Savannah Bank and then moved on to join A.U. Kalu (SAN) and Associates. He was recruited back to the financial services sector where he worked with UTB Trustees and Fidelity Bank, respectively. He later left Fidelity Bank to join Globalcom, a telecommunications company. After his period in the telecommunication industry, Donald moved back to the financial sector when he joined the Cornerstone group as the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser and Chief Compliance Officer. He was recruited to join AIICO from the Cornerstone Group in 2014.

Donald graduated from University of Calabar and later went on to pursue a master’s degree in business administration from the same University. He later proceeded to obtain an LL.M from the University of Lagos. He recently obtained a Doctorate Degree from Lead City University. Donald has attended several capacity building courses both within and outside the country. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

As General Counsel in a publicly listed company, my approach during instability or crises is grounded in collaboration and foresight. The first step is understanding the landscape—what risks exist, how they may evolve, and how they impact the company’s legal and business standing. I work closely with leadership to align legal strategy with business priorities, ensuring the organisation remains resilient while staying compliant.

During crises, I prioritise clear communication and quick decision-making. This includes assembling a crisis management team of legal, compliance, and public relations experts who can craft a balanced response to safeguard both legal and reputational interests. Together, we create response plans tailored to the situation, whether it involves renegotiating contracts, addressing regulatory inquiries, or resolving disputes swiftly and amicably. By embedding legal foresight into business decisions, we minimise risks and strengthen the company’s ability to recover.