Oluwatodimu Ige, popularly known as Oga theLawyer, is a lawyer, serial entrepreneur, legal content creator and influencer. In this interview with JOSEPH ONYEKWERE, he speaks about legal education, arbitration, mediation, corporate governance and his passion for legal advocacy among other issues.

As a practising lawyer and a public educator on legal issues, how do you see the intersection of these two roles?
For me, law is not just about litigation and drafting contracts – it’s about service. A lot of people think law begins and ends in the courtroom, but that’s just one aspect. The courtroom is where disputes are resolved, but the public space is where those disputes can be prevented in the first place. Educating people simplifies my job as a lawyer because a more informed society creates fewer avoidable conflicts.

Think about it; if people knew their rights and obligations before signing contracts, far fewer cases would end up in court. So, the intersection is simple; when knowledge flows freely, justice becomes more accessible. I see myself as standing at a bridge between legal practice and public enlightenment. One side is about solving problems; the other is about helping people avoid those problems altogether. Both roles are inseparable.

How do you simplify complex legal concepts without diluting their essence?
I remind myself that the law was written for people, not just for lawyers. The temptation for lawyers is to hide behind Latin phrases and technical language, but the real test of mastery is whether you can explain a principle to a non-lawyer and they grasp it immediately.
So, I strip away the jargon and use everyday stories. For instance, instead of quoting the tort of trespass verbatim, I’ll say, “If someone eats your meat in the fridge without permission, that’s trespass.” Instantly, the concept sticks. I also borrow from popular culture. If a trending Nollywood movie has a contract dispute, I’ll reference it. That way, the audience sees the law not as something abstract but as something alive and connected to their daily realities. The essence remains intact, but the delivery is relatable.

Arbitration has become increasingly important in resolving disputes. What makes arbitration more effective than litigation?
Three words – speed, confidentiality, and flexibility. Courtroom battles in Nigeria can drag for years — sometimes a decade — and by the time judgment comes, the business in dispute may have collapsed. Arbitration, on the other hand, respects the time of the parties involved.

Confidentiality is another major factor. Imagine two multinational companies having a disagreement? If they go to court, it becomes public record and could affect stock prices or customer trust. Arbitration allows them to resolve issues privately while preserving their reputation. And then there’s flexibility. In arbitration, the parties choose their arbitrator — someone they believe understands the technicalities of their field. In litigation, you don’t have that choice; you’re assigned a judge who may or may not have background knowledge in that area. That’s why, for commercial disputes especially, arbitration is often the smarter choice.

Apart from arbitration, negotiation is also an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. What qualities make one a valuable negotiator?
Patience, preparation, and empathy! Negotiation is not about who can shout the loudest or pound the table the hardest. It’s about listening deeply, reading the room, and knowing when to press and when to pause. A good negotiator doesn’t just push for his client’s interest blindly; he studies the other side’s pain points. If you understand what the other party is afraid of losing, you can craft a win-win solution.

I remember a negotiation where my client wanted a very aggressive payment plan. The other party resisted, not because they couldn’t pay, but because they were worried about cash flow stability. Once I understood their concern, we restructured the deal into staggered payments that protected my client while easing their pressure. Both sides left the table satisfied. That’s the goal — dignity intact, relationships preserved.

Your professional affiliations cut across arbitration, debt recovery, and corporate governance. How do these perspectives strengthen your legal practice?
Each area gives me a lens to view problems differently. Arbitration sharpens my ability to resolve conflicts without unnecessary hostility. Debt recovery trains my resilience because you often have to chase payments diplomatically but firmly. Corporate governance, meanwhile, broadens my horizon by forcing me to always ask the “big picture” questions.

When you combine these perspectives, you avoid piecemeal solutions. You don’t just solve today’s problem; you anticipate that of tomorrow. For instance, while recovering debts, I also advise clients on restructuring agreements, so the issue doesn’t arise again. That’s the holistic service clients appreciate.

You are vast in legal education, so what changes would you like to see in how law is taught in Nigeria?
Our legal education is still too theoretical. We must move from classrooms overloaded with statutes to practice-oriented training. Imagine if law students regularly participated in simulated court sessions or drafted mock corporate contracts; their transition into practice would be smoother. Also, technology must be integrated. We live in a digital-first world. A lawyer without digital fluency — who doesn’t understand online dispute resolution, cybersecurity laws, or even basic tech tools — is already outdated. Nigerian law school needs to prepare students for a future where artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data privacy will dominate legal discourse.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing legal challenges businesses in Nigeria face?
Regulatory uncertainty and enforcement inconsistency. Businesses thrive on predictability. They want to know: if I invest here, the rules of the game will remain stable. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, policies can change overnight, and enforcement can be selective. For example, imagine investing billions in renewable energy, only for sudden regulations to shift in favour of fossil fuels. That kind of unpredictability kills investor confidence. Until we strengthen the consistency and transparency of our regulatory environment, many businesses will continue to view Nigeria as high-risk.

How does legal training shape your contributions to the board of the companies you belong to?
Being a lawyer means you’re trained to anticipate risks before they escalate. On any board I belong to, I am asking, “Should we do this and if we do, how do we protect ourselves legally?” Take healthcare, for example. Beyond profit margins, there are ethical, regulatory, and liability concerns. My legal training ensures those concerns are considered before decisions are made. That foresight is law’s greatest contribution to business.

How do you decide which business to align with as a board member?
I filter opportunities through two lenses: values and vision. If a company’s practices conflict with my values — say, cutting corners or ignoring compliance — no matter how lucrative, I walk away. On the other hand, if the business demonstrates integrity and has a forward-thinking strategy, I align myself with it. I’ve turned down offers where the money was attractive, but the long-term vision was vague or ethically questionable. Legacy matters more to me than quick profit.

With legal education on social media, there’s always a risk of misinformation. How do you maintain credibility and accuracy?
First, I fact-check rigorously. I don’t post anything without cross-checking statutes, case law, or practice notes. Second, I practise humility. If I ever get something wrong, I don’t cover it up. I acknowledge it publicly, correct it, and move on. That honesty builds trust.

Has your online visibility ever influenced how clients perceive or approach you in traditional legal practice?
Absolutely. Many clients walk into my office saying, “We already feel like we know you.” That familiarity shortens the trust-building curve. However, it also raises the bar for me. I must ensure my offline competence matches my online credibility. If I disappoint offline, the trust I’ve built online collapses.

You handle areas like aviation and energy law. Which emerging trends in these sectors excite you the most?
In aviation, I’m fascinated by the regulation of drones and digital ticketing systems. These innovations are rewriting old legal frameworks. In energy, the transition to renewables excites me. It’s not just about solar panels; it’s about reshaping entire economies. Being part of that evolution gives me purpose.

Corporate restructuring and insolvency are delicate areas. What are the guiding principles in such tough practices?
Empathy and clarity are my tools. When a company is restructuring, people’s livelihoods are on the line. Emotions can cloud judgment. My role is to present the numbers clearly, outline the legal options, and guide leaders toward preserving value. Sometimes that means re-strategising rather than shutting down entirely.

How does your religious value influence the way you practise law and interact with clients?
My anchor is integrity. The law gives you power over people’s resources, reputations, and sometimes even freedom. Christianity reminds me that power must be exercised with fairness and compassion. Clients feel safe when they know your word is your bond.

Many young lawyers chase prestige or high-paying roles instead of building lasting careers. What do you think they should focus on?
Competence and credibility! Prestige fades, salaries fluctuate, but a reputation for competence and integrity endures. If you’re known as someone who delivers, opportunities will chase you instead of the other way around.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what other career path do you think you’d have pursued, and why?
Teaching. At my core, I’m a communicator. Whether in law or in another field, I derive joy from breaking down knowledge and helping others thrive.