The chairman of the NBA action committee on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) and founding member of the British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) Mr George Etomi has urged Nigerian lawyers to prepare to participate in delivering quality legal services across the globe.
According to him, Nigerian lawyers must be able to deliver quality business legal services to clients to enjoy the benefit of cross-border trades.
“How do we ensure that Nigerian lawyers get a fair share of the global pack in legal services? I think that the best thing is to learn how best to navigate the murky waters of international legal services,” he said during a press conference to announce the 2025 summit of the BNLF in Lagos.
“How do we ensure that we deepen the global business law services market such that everyone gets a fair share? Working with our colleagues who are practising in the UK gives you a smoother ground to understand how to explore the opportunities in the UK legal market,” he said.
Etomi explained that the BNLF was born out of a deep need to create a legal bridge between Nigeria and the UK.
“After the British Council’s African Law Week in Abuja in 2001, it was clear that there is a need for a permanent platform for continued engagement and BNLF filled that gap.
“BNLF has become more relevant today because the legal challenges and opportunities between the UK and Nigeria are evolving rapidly—digitally, commercially, and geopolitically. BNLF brings structure and insight to that complexity.
“It has mentored countless young professionals and acted as a launchpad for cross-border legal careers. It has inspired reforms and fostered international collaborations that go beyond courtrooms,” he said, adding that the summit would serve as a bridge—connecting legal professionals across borders and strengthening the rule of law through collaboration.
Giving details about the summit, the BNLF Programme Lead, Mrs Uchenna Akingbade said it will start on June 26, 2025, with a cocktail party at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos for networking amongst participants and different stakeholders.
“Then on June 27, 2025, we will have the proper conference, which will start in the morning at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island with registration, opening address and goodwill messages. There will be a fireside chat. The fireside chat will feature the chairperson of the NBA section on business law and the chairperson of the section on legal practice.
“After the fireside chat, we will move into our first panel session, which will speak to assessing the international market and building a legal brand.
“We chose this because if we want to talk about collaborations, then we who are in Nigeria and those who are coming from the UK into Nigeria, need to understand how we can actually access those international markets. How do we position ourselves to be able to access those international markets?
“Then we’ll move on to the second panel, which is leveraging artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency in legal practice, opportunities and real-world applications. We all know that artificial intelligence is here to stay, so it is important that we talk about it,” she stated.
Akingbade explained that the third panel session would be on cross-border collaboration, dispute resolution, and strengthening UK, and Nigerian partnerships in arbitration and litigation.
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She added that there will be opportunities for networking as well as the inclusion of young lawyers in the scheme of things.
“We want to be as inclusive as possible in this programme, and that is why we decided to include a debate focused on young practitioners.
“The topic of that debate is: should young Nigerian lawyers focus on becoming global legal professionals rather than local experts? So, we will have an eventful conference,” she declared, adding that Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), who is qualified to practice law in dual jurisdictions, would share his wealth of experience.
BNLF former chairman, Ololade Saromi said the summit represents the convergence of over two decades of vision, meticulous planning, and the unwavering dedication of legal professionals committed to fostering meaningful ties between Britain and Nigeria.
“For nearly 25 years, BNLF has championed legal collaboration, mentorship, and bilateral dialogue. This summit is the culmination of that journey and the beginning of a renewed commitment to building bridges, amplifying voices, and unlocking new opportunities for cross-border growth,” he said.
Saromi stated that BNLF, by holding the summit, is reaffirming its belief that legal excellence must be shared, celebrated, and anchored where it all began.
According to him, the summit is about forging stronger legal and business ties between the UK and Nigeria.
“It’s about dialogue, connection, and impact—covering everything from innovation in legal practice to cross-border investment,” he said.
The Logistics Lead, Mrs Kemi Afesojaye said planning an event of such scale—across two nations, multiple sectors, and diverse stakeholder groups—has been an extraordinary journey that demanded precision, foresight, and most importantly, teamwork.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of this summit—from registration to check-in, breakout sessions to transport—is thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed,” she said.
For the Social Secretary, Mrs Funbi Akinsanya, the event will be a defining moment in the nearly 25-year journey of the BNLF.
According to her, the summit is not just another legal conference, it is a celebration of connection, a platform for new alliances, and a space where professional excellence meets cultural pride.
“Whether you’re a student taking your first step into international legal spaces or a seasoned partner looking to expand your cross-border network, this summit was designed with you in mind,” she said, adding that intending participants can register by visiting their website.