With a promising career in taxation and international law, Phillips Adekemi experience has helped shape his path. Called to Bar on November 26, 2019, his journey began with his academic achievements. Scoring 300 in the 2012 Post-Unified Tertiary Examination, he earned admission to study law at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

Graduating in the top 3 per cent of his class, he distinguished himself as a leader and advocate, excelling in debates and moot court competitions.
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In his second year, Adekemi was a pivotal force in OAU’s victory at the National Law Students Debate organised by Prima Strata Club, a contest among eight top Nigerian universities. His prowess as an orator earned him individual recognition.

Adekemi’s international achievements include leading OAU’s team to victory at the African rounds of the 2016 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition in Pretoria, South Africa. This triumph secured their participation in the global finals in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the team placed second after defeating the North American team. Mooting before judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including Peter Tomka, Xue Hanqin, and Kirill Gevorgian, Adekemi demonstrated his command of emerging issues in international law, particularly the obligations of states under the Outer Space Treaty.

His undergraduate research, titled, “The Role of the International Court of Justice in Promoting International Law and Order,” earned distinction. The study explored intersections of taxation, business law, and international investment law, emphasising the need for harmonisation of legal frameworks to facilitate international trade. He advocated for robust enforcement mechanisms and interpretation by international courts to ensure compliance.

His passion for taxation led him to co-found the Tax Club at OAU in 2016. As a key contributor, he spearheaded research on domestic and international tax issues, including transfer pricing and tax avoidance. His article, “Practicality of the New Tax Policy,” critically analyzed Nigeria’s tax administration challenges and proposed actionable reforms, such as the establishment of a centralised government database, enhanced accountability, and taxpayer education.

Adekemi also co-founded and served as Vice President of the Alternatives to Dispute Resolution (ADR) Society at OAU’s Faculty of Law. In this role, he organised workshops on arbitration and mediation, collaborating with leading law firms like ACAS-Law and Babalakin & Co. His advocacy skills were further honed as a representative of OAU at the inaugural International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition in Lagos.

He aims to specialise in taxation law, focusing on complex issues like tax evasion, transfer pricing, and revenue loss. His career goal is to collaborate with tax agencies in Nigeria and globally to implement innovative solutions, attract foreign investments, and strengthen Nigeria’s tax systems.
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