http://psammyesquire.blogspot.com/2015/07/welcome-mr.html
~WELCOME~
Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR is a founding partner of Aluko & Oyebode and is also the Chairman of the management board of Aluko & Oyebode. Over the years, Mr. Oyebode has developed significant experience in project finance, corporate law, energy and natural resources, telecommunications and aviation law. Mr. Oyebode serves as a Non-Executive Chairman of The Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc and Access Bank Plc (formerly Access Bank Nigeria). He has been a Director of Nestle Nigeria Plc since 24th February, 2014. He also serves as a Director on the board of MTN Nigeria Ltd.
He is on the African Advisory Committee of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Nigerian Leadership Institute. He was the Chairman of the section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association from 2012 to 2014, a member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR). He is a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980), and Attorney at Law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983), and the American Bar Society of the International Law. Mr. Oyebode was educated at University of IFE (LL.B Honours) and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LL.M Honours) where he graduated in 1979 and 1982 respectively. Mr. Oyebode worked as an Associate with White & Case in New York between 1982 and 1983.
Mr. Oyebode advised on the Brass LNG Project, a joint venture between NNPC, TOTAL, Conoco Philips and Agip for the construction of a US$3.5 billion LNG plant, and advised on the US$360 million Lekki Concession Infrastructure project for the construction of tool roads and bridges in Lagos state- the first major PPP initiative in Nigeria. He also advised on the US$1.25 billion financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Project; the US$1.06 billion financing of phases four and five of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural gas Plant Expansion Project; and the development, financing and implementation of the first IPP project in Nigeria.
INTERVIEW WITH GBENGA OYEBODE, MFR by Seyi Clement (LAW DIGEST)
Have you always wanted to be a lawyer and what made you go into law?
Yes I have always wanted to be a lawyer, and I can't think of anything I could have done any better.
Who or what has had the most profound influence on your life and your career?
There have been lots of influences on my life but the most profound has been living in Nigeria. Nigeria is such a blessed country yet poverty, corruption and income inequality remain big issues and the gap is widening. I have always been impacted by this and see my role as trying to create opportunities for our people to bridge the gap and to use my experience to encourage social justice.
Your name is virtually synonymous with corporate law in Nigeria, how did you get involved with this practice area?
After I finished my post graduate studies, I worked at White and Case in New York and the Gulf Oil Company in Houston. I moved back to Nigeria in the 1980's and in partnership with like-minded young lawyers, we noticed that there was a dearth of law firms that provided corporate legal services similar to what I was accustomed to while I was in US. We set out to address this need and those efforts sowed the seeds of what is now known as Aluko & Oyebode.
As the Chair of the NBA section of Business Law, you have guided the section to the influential position it currently occupies, what would you consider to be the section's main contributions to the development of the profession in Nigeria and Internationally?
The SBL uses the medium of continuing legal education to enlighten our members and also encourages SBL members to render pro-bono services. The SBL's annual conference provides its members with opportunities to contribute to discussions and have the benefit of contributing to seminars on topical issues by those most qualified to deliver guidance on those areas. The sessions at the annual conferences encourage continuous legal education.
Aluko & Oyebode was nominated in 4 categories in the recent Africa Law Awards.These nominations are unique in the sense that it was the only African firm outside South Africa, nominated in 4 categories.It is also the only Nigerian law firm that ranks in Tier 1 in the IFLR1000 jurisdictional rankings in the major practice areas of banking and finance (as well as Project Finance); energy and infrastructure (in corporate, finance,dispute and project development); and M & A.What is your formula?
At Aluko & Oyebode, we are adept at hiring and retaining some of the best brains in the industry.The firm has a passion for excellence, coupled with a commitment to serving its clients.A Firm is only as good as its employees and Aluko & Oyebode is no different.In addition to maintaining top tier rankings, 6 of the Firm's partners are also ranked as leading lawyers by IFLR10000.
The interest of international law firms in Africa has polarized opinions, what is your position on the issue and how has the growing presence of international law firms, particularly from the UK and US, affected the dynamics of the African legal services market?
The interest of international firms in Africa is a welcome development for two reasons.Firstly, it demonstrates the attractiveness of the Nigerian and African market for partnerships with global law firms.Secondly, if international firms end up entering into a formal arrangement with local firms, it will encourage local competitors to improve on the already high quality of legal services being provided.
Many African jurisdictions are suspicious of the international law firms and have taken protectionist stance against entry to their markets, are their suspicions justified and is this protectionist stance suitable?
It is only natural for local law firms to view potential entrants with a bit of suspicion.Most potential entrants into the market do not want to practice local law.Their primary interest is in providing support to their clients.This should give local firms some comfort.
A recent survey of Africa's law firms, found that many consider the lack of capacity as the main inhibitor of growth of African law firms, how do you think this capacity issue can be addressed and what role could international law firms play in capacity building in Africa?
Improving capacity is something that has to be done by all the stakeholders, starting with the local universities and the law schools.Law firms also need to train new employees to build their capacity.International law firms can also aid in capacity building by sharing their experiences with local law firms and through training, internships, and seminars.
It is being suggested by some, that one of the ways that African firms could thrive in the face of international competition is to form formal or informal alliance either with local or international firms, what is your position on this?
Different approaches will work for different firms depending on their structure and what benefits they can derive as a result of forming alliances.Local firms must make sure there is benefit to be derived as a result of such partnerships both professionally in the practice of law and also in the management of law firms.
There are three major African legal networks on the continent (the African Legal Network,ALN; Lex Africa and the Miranda Alliance);Aluko & Oyebode is not a member of any of these networks and it'd be interesting to know why the firm has maintained this strategic stance.
Aluko & Oyebode is always on the lookout for opportunities to expand its local and international reach and the Firm will take advantage of the best alliances which will aid in the attainment of its strategic objectives.
It is no big secret that Aluko & Oyebode is being courted by many international law firms.It is also no big secret that the firm has opted to maintain an arm's length relationship with these international law firms.Could this position change, if so, what needs to happen for the firm to consider entering into either a local or international alliance?
The Firm's current policy is to remain independent in its relationships with international firms.Given our preeminent position in Nigeria, we think it is to our advantage to continue our arm's length relationship with all international law firms.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
CREDIT:LAW DIGEST(Spring 2015)
Mr. Oyebode advised on the Brass LNG Project, a joint venture between NNPC, TOTAL, Conoco Philips and Agip for the construction of a US$3.5 billion LNG plant, and advised on the US$360 million Lekki Concession Infrastructure project for the construction of tool roads and bridges in Lagos state- the first major PPP initiative in Nigeria. He also advised on the US$1.25 billion financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Project; the US$1.06 billion financing of phases four and five of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural gas Plant Expansion Project; and the development, financing and implementation of the first IPP project in Nigeria.
INTERVIEW WITH GBENGA OYEBODE, MFR by Seyi Clement (LAW DIGEST)
Have you always wanted to be a lawyer and what made you go into law?
Yes I have always wanted to be a lawyer, and I can't think of anything I could have done any better.
Who or what has had the most profound influence on your life and your career?
There have been lots of influences on my life but the most profound has been living in Nigeria. Nigeria is such a blessed country yet poverty, corruption and income inequality remain big issues and the gap is widening. I have always been impacted by this and see my role as trying to create opportunities for our people to bridge the gap and to use my experience to encourage social justice.
Your name is virtually synonymous with corporate law in Nigeria, how did you get involved with this practice area?
After I finished my post graduate studies, I worked at White and Case in New York and the Gulf Oil Company in Houston. I moved back to Nigeria in the 1980's and in partnership with like-minded young lawyers, we noticed that there was a dearth of law firms that provided corporate legal services similar to what I was accustomed to while I was in US. We set out to address this need and those efforts sowed the seeds of what is now known as Aluko & Oyebode.
As the Chair of the NBA section of Business Law, you have guided the section to the influential position it currently occupies, what would you consider to be the section's main contributions to the development of the profession in Nigeria and Internationally?
The SBL uses the medium of continuing legal education to enlighten our members and also encourages SBL members to render pro-bono services. The SBL's annual conference provides its members with opportunities to contribute to discussions and have the benefit of contributing to seminars on topical issues by those most qualified to deliver guidance on those areas. The sessions at the annual conferences encourage continuous legal education.
Aluko & Oyebode was nominated in 4 categories in the recent Africa Law Awards.These nominations are unique in the sense that it was the only African firm outside South Africa, nominated in 4 categories.It is also the only Nigerian law firm that ranks in Tier 1 in the IFLR1000 jurisdictional rankings in the major practice areas of banking and finance (as well as Project Finance); energy and infrastructure (in corporate, finance,dispute and project development); and M & A.What is your formula?
At Aluko & Oyebode, we are adept at hiring and retaining some of the best brains in the industry.The firm has a passion for excellence, coupled with a commitment to serving its clients.A Firm is only as good as its employees and Aluko & Oyebode is no different.In addition to maintaining top tier rankings, 6 of the Firm's partners are also ranked as leading lawyers by IFLR10000.
The interest of international law firms in Africa has polarized opinions, what is your position on the issue and how has the growing presence of international law firms, particularly from the UK and US, affected the dynamics of the African legal services market?
The interest of international firms in Africa is a welcome development for two reasons.Firstly, it demonstrates the attractiveness of the Nigerian and African market for partnerships with global law firms.Secondly, if international firms end up entering into a formal arrangement with local firms, it will encourage local competitors to improve on the already high quality of legal services being provided.
Many African jurisdictions are suspicious of the international law firms and have taken protectionist stance against entry to their markets, are their suspicions justified and is this protectionist stance suitable?
It is only natural for local law firms to view potential entrants with a bit of suspicion.Most potential entrants into the market do not want to practice local law.Their primary interest is in providing support to their clients.This should give local firms some comfort.
A recent survey of Africa's law firms, found that many consider the lack of capacity as the main inhibitor of growth of African law firms, how do you think this capacity issue can be addressed and what role could international law firms play in capacity building in Africa?
Improving capacity is something that has to be done by all the stakeholders, starting with the local universities and the law schools.Law firms also need to train new employees to build their capacity.International law firms can also aid in capacity building by sharing their experiences with local law firms and through training, internships, and seminars.
It is being suggested by some, that one of the ways that African firms could thrive in the face of international competition is to form formal or informal alliance either with local or international firms, what is your position on this?
Different approaches will work for different firms depending on their structure and what benefits they can derive as a result of forming alliances.Local firms must make sure there is benefit to be derived as a result of such partnerships both professionally in the practice of law and also in the management of law firms.
There are three major African legal networks on the continent (the African Legal Network,ALN; Lex Africa and the Miranda Alliance);Aluko & Oyebode is not a member of any of these networks and it'd be interesting to know why the firm has maintained this strategic stance.
Aluko & Oyebode is always on the lookout for opportunities to expand its local and international reach and the Firm will take advantage of the best alliances which will aid in the attainment of its strategic objectives.
It is no big secret that Aluko & Oyebode is being courted by many international law firms.It is also no big secret that the firm has opted to maintain an arm's length relationship with these international law firms.Could this position change, if so, what needs to happen for the firm to consider entering into either a local or international alliance?
The Firm's current policy is to remain independent in its relationships with international firms.Given our preeminent position in Nigeria, we think it is to our advantage to continue our arm's length relationship with all international law firms.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
CREDIT:LAW DIGEST(Spring 2015)
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