As Nigeria seeks to attract more foreign investment and deepen economic ties with the United Kingdom, legal experts and business leaders have identified regulatory certainty, dispute resolution and the implementation of recent tax reforms as critical factors in sustaining investor confidence.
  
The issues came to the fore during a media briefing ahead of the forthcoming British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) summit scheduled between June 25 and 26, 2026, in Lagos, where stakeholders are expected to highlight the growing importance of legal frameworks in facilitating cross-border trade and investment between both countries.

The BNLF chair, Kash Balogun, said increasing commercial engagements between Nigeria and the UK have made it imperative for legal and business professionals to address obstacles that often hinder investment flows.
  
According to him, while trade volumes between the two countries continue to rise, investors remain concerned about the predictability of regulatory systems, enforcement of contracts and the efficiency of mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes.
  
“The growth in trade between both jurisdictions means there must be greater collaboration among institutions and professionals to ensure businesses can operate within clear and reliable legal frameworks,” he said.
  
Balogun said the summit, which will mark its 25th anniversary celebration, is themed, “A New Dawn: Law, Investment and Opportunity.” 
  
According to him, the theme reflects emerging prospects in both jurisdictions.
 
“BNLF has been a bridge between the UK and Nigeria. It has connected professionals in both jurisdictions for business development, collaborations and partnerships,” he said.
  
He said the summit would bring together lawyers, business leaders, government officials, investors and financiers to explore opportunities for collaboration and economic development.
  
“It is a time for people to get together, network and build relationships that can help the economies of both jurisdictions to grow,” Balogun added.

The BNLF Vice Chair, Genevieve Nwodo Wakeley-Jones, said the two-day programme will focus on practical solutions for enhancing trade and investment between Nigeria and Britain.
  
She explained that activities would begin with an exclusive roundtable chaired by the UK Government’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, followed by a cocktail reception at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner.
  
Wakeley-Jones said the main conference would examine key issues affecting business and investment, including Nigeria’s new tax reforms, dispute resolution mechanisms, divestment trends and opportunities for economic growth.
 
“We will be covering very topical issues impacting business, trade, opportunity and career growth in both countries,” she said.
 
She noted that investor confidence depends heavily on certainty in commercial transactions and effective dispute resolution systems.
  
“Every country involved in cross-border trade wants certainty, especially from an investor’s point of view, that where issues arise in commercial contracts, there is an avenue to obtain redress,” she said.
  
According to her, discussions throughout the summit would be driven by a central message that Nigeria remains open for business.
  
“We want to move from goodwill to practical implementation and identify ways both countries can support each other, remove barriers and grow trade,” she said.
  
Wakeley-Jones disclosed that the summit would also focus on the role of relationships and networking in cross-border business development, bringing together leading professionals from both countries.
  
The event will conclude with a gala dinner celebrating 25 years of the forum’s contributions to legal and business relations between Nigeria and the UK.
  
According to her, the keynote address would be delivered by Prof Cole Ajayi, founding partner of Aluko & Oyebode, while Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), is also expected to speak.
  
Wakeley-Jones further revealed that Lagos State is the summit’s headline sponsor, describing the support as evidence of the importance attached to the event by the state government.
 
Also speaking, BNLF member Babatunde Denton traced the organisation’s history to its founding in 2001 by lawyers practising in both Nigeria and Britain.
  
He said the forum was initially created to support legal practitioners operating across both jurisdictions, but had since evolved into a broader platform promoting professional and commercial ties between the two countries.
  
“Over the years, it has expanded beyond legal practice to encompass professional and business relationships between the UK and Nigeria,” Denton said.
  
He noted that the inaugural Nigeria Summit was held in Lagos last year and described the 25th anniversary celebration as an opportunity to reflect on the forum’s achievements and future aspirations.
  
Co-chair of the BNLF Lagos Committee, Kemi Afesojaye, urged professionals, entrepreneurs and policymakers to participate in the summit, describing it as a unique networking and learning opportunity.
  
She said attendees would have the chance to interact with influential business leaders, senior government officials and policymakers from both countries.
  
“This is not just a gathering of lawyers. It is a gathering of people who move the dial in both jurisdictions,” she said.
  
Afesojaye added that participants would gain practical insights into business opportunities in Nigeria and the UK while building relationships that could support future expansion and collaboration.
  
“In today’s global environment, it is no longer enough to operate within a single jurisdiction. You need networks and contacts across borders, and this summit provides that opportunity,” she said.
  
The Social Secretary of the BNLF Executive Committee, Funbi Akinsanya, explained that registration for the summit is ongoing through the organisation’s website.
  
She said the conference and gala dinner are scheduled for June 26 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
  
She encouraged businesses and organisations seeking greater visibility among stakeholders in Nigeria and the UK to partner with the forum.
  
“BNLF is 25 years strong and remains a key stakeholder in trade relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, beyond legal services,” she said.