My goal is to always give my best and be a great ambassador of UUBO- Ozofu Ogiemudia

An alumnus of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, the University of Ibadan and University College, London, Ozofu Ogiemudia has spent her entire working career with the law firm of UdoUdoma and Belo-Osagie. Starting as an intern in 2002, she later got employed as an associate in 2004, rising through the ranks to become a Partner in 2014 and come January next year, she will be making history as the first Deputy Managing Partner of the firm.

Born to Prof Bamidele and MrsAjikeSanni who are both retired academics at the University of Benin, Ozofu never wanted to study Law initially. It was her parents who subtly nudged her out of the thought to pursue fashion design after a law degree.

Commencing the Law School in July 2002, Ozofu was fortunate to get an internship at UUBO. This opened her eyes to another aspect of the law that she was not much exposed to in the university- corporate law. She became aware that she could practice law and not have to go to court which suited her very well since she was not keen on being a litigator. when she joined the firm eventually in 2004, she didn’t waste time in going for her Master’s degree in corporate and securities law. This was at University College, London and to cap it, and expose her to the practical side, UUBO arranged for her to spend three months with the Law firm of Denton Wilde Sapte, now Dentons, in London, where she spent time with the trade finance and corporate finance teams.

Ogiemudia who has been active in the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law since 2016 had her first shot at contributing to the Nigerian legislative process when Mr. OluAkpata chaired the section. Since then, she had had various opportunities from subsequent chairmen of the section to contribute in various ways to enhance the section as well as Nigeria’s legal and regulatory system. She says: ‘‘I got the chance of a lifetime to chair the technical advisory committee that advised the 8th Nigerian Senate and drafted what eventually became the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, and the road that led to this began with a call to serve with the NBASBL.

In July 2024, following the NBASBL’s nomination process for the executive committee members that will lead the section from August 2024 to August 2026, I emerged as the next chairperson. This is a huge responsibility and I look forward to doing my best to advance the objectives and causes of the NBASBL, leveraging on the wealth of intellectual and other resources within the NBASBL, the NBA as a whole and other partner organizations’’.

Ogiemudia declared that her expectations after law school have been met because she wanted to work in one of the best law firms and become an expert in the areas of law she chooses to specialize in and this has been realized. She maintained that as a commercial lawyer, she has enjoyed the work that went into helping companies capitalize, restructure, or merge adding that it has always been rewarding.

On those who shaped her life and career, she pointed out that her parents were the ones who primarily shaped her values and ethos while the leading of the holy spirit and the teachings of the bible took over ever since she was born again in her teenage years. Her husband, family and friends have also played varying roles in influencing her life, she says.

From the point of view of career, she acknowledges that she was fortunate to have a host of role models at UUBO who helped in shaping her. She mentioned the founding partners, Senator UdomaUdoUdoma and DrMyma Belo-Osagie in this regard. According to her, Senator Udoma’s life in public service influenced her interest in legislative advocacy, while she sees Dr Belo-Osagie as a female Amazon in the Nigerian corporate legal scene whose life proved that it was possible to succeed in a career, and at the same time, raise a family and build the right support system to make it possible.

‘‘Most impactful in my career has been UUBO’s current Senior Partner, Dan Agbor, who gave me the chance to intern with the firm in 2002, took me under his wing, and taught me how to be a good lawyer and trusted adviser to my clients. Our current Managing Partner, AniekanUkpanah, and Managing Partner designate, Jumoke Lambo, are models who lead gently and with compassion,’’ she says.

Recounting her unforgettable experiences in the profession, she stated: ‘‘One of my most memorable moments was on August 2020 when I received an SMS informing me that former President Buhari had signed the CAMA 2020 into law. It was surreal. I will never forget the journey that began in May 2017 when our committee was inaugurated, and culminated in submitting our reports and the draft bill in February 2018. This was followed by more than two years and a change of government, during which it seemed that our work would not be actualized.’’

Saying that her goal is to always give her best and be a great ambassador of UUBO and the Nigerian legal profession, she implored aspiring female lawyers to aspire to get into one of the best firms in their areas of interest where they can learn and build expertise, and be ready to work very hard. Furthermore, she urged them to believe in themselves and aim for the best.

Ozofu Ogiemudia is the Deputy Managing Partner Designate at UDO Udoma and Belo-Osagie