Baba Alokolaro, Managing Partner of TNP (The New Practice), has been sworn in as the 10th Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).

Alokolaro was sworn in on August 27, 2026, in Port Harcourt, succeeding Ozofu ‘Latunde Ogiemudia. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the section under Ogiemudia for two years and will lead the NBA-SBL Executive Council for the 2026–2028 term.

The NBA-SBL is the principal platform within the Nigerian Bar Association for business law policy, practice development and engagement among the legal profession, government, regulators and the private sector.

Established in 2004 under its pioneer chairman, George Etomi, the section convenes the Annual Business Law Conference, which attracts government officials, regulators and members of the business law community across the region.

Alokolaro becomes the latest in a succession of chairpersons that includes Etomi, Mfon Usoro, Gbenga Oyebode, Asue Ighodalo, Olumide Akpata, Seni Adio, Ayuli Jemide, Adeoye Adefulu and Ogiemudia.

Speaking on his priorities for the section, Alokolaro said Nigerian business law was at an inflection point, adding that the NBA-SBL would continue to focus on modernising the practice.

“Nigerian business law is at an inflection point, and the SBL continues to focus on the real work ahead of it. My priority over the next two years is to continue our efforts in modernising how we practice business law, bringing our transaction standards and engagement with technology and ESG in line with where global business law is heading,” he said.

He said his administration would also seek to ensure that young lawyers were carried along in the transformation of business law practice.

He added that the section would continue to strengthen its influence on investment and regulatory issues across the region.

“Beyond that, I want the NBA-SBL’s voice to continue to carry real weight in how the region thinks about investment and regulatory landscape. So when businesses and investors look at Nigeria, what they will see, reflects the seriousness and sophistication of how we actually practice here. That is the NBA-SBL standard and one I am holding myself to,” Alokolaro said.

Alokolaro is the Managing Partner of TNP, where he leads the firm’s Corporate Finance and Business Advisory Groups. He also served as Head of the Corporate Commercial Africa Service Line at Andersen Global, of which TNP is a collaborating firm.

He obtained an LL.B from the University of Warwick in 1997 and an LL.M from the University of East Anglia in 1998 before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001.

Between 2007 and 2011, he served as General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State, where he advised on policy, strategic investments, infrastructure development, asset optimisation and concession arrangements.

His areas of practice include finance, capital markets, infrastructure, private equity and mergers and acquisitions, with experience spanning the power, transportation, manufacturing, financial services and technology, media and telecommunications sectors.

Alokolaro is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He previously served on the Professional Services Group of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Governing Board of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission.

Before his election as chairman, he served on the NBA-SBL Executive Council as Vice Chairman.