Excitement builds for BNLF Conference and Gala in Lagos as first speakers announced

The inaugural Nigerian Conference and Gala in Lagos later this month is a long overdue homecoming for the British Nigeria Legal Forum (BNLF), and it feels only right to bring the forum to the legal and commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, say Kash Balogun and Genevieve Nwodo Wakeley-Jones, BNLF Chair and Vice-Chair.

“Our hope is that this inaugural event will be more than just a conference,” says Genevieve, who is dual qualified in England & Wales and Nigeria. “It will be a celebration of our connection and shared cultures, a catalyst for cross-border collaboration, and a bold reaffirmation of our mission to strengthen UK-Nigeria ties.

With early-bird ticket registrations closing today, 10 June, and the first speakers recently announced, excitement is building for the BNLF’s homecoming to Lagos.

After kickstarting with a stylish cocktail reception on the opening evening, the inaugural Nigerian Conference and Gala will be held in the ballroom of the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos on 27 June. A full day of expert insights, dynamic panel sessions, engaging workshops, and a special showcase of emerging legal talent will provoke debate and foster learning, networking, and collaboration.

“It’s always been in our hearts to do something in Nigeria that’s as big or bigger as anything we’ve ever done in the UK,” says Kash. “My hope is this will become an annual fixture; a platform where UK and Nigerian professionals don’t just network, but build lasting relationships leading to instructions, investment, and impact.”

Before a press conference later today, the first speakers for the inaugural Conference have been announced, with Ololade Saromi, a barrister at leading chambers Five Paper in London’s historic Inner Temple, being part of a panel discussion on "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence & Cryptocurrency in Legal Practice”. 

Dynamic legal professional Beverley Agbakoba-Onyejianya MCArb, a partner and Head of the Sports, Entertainment & Technology Group at cutting-edge Nigerian firm Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), will also be a featured speaker. Having served on the FIFA mediation panel and Sports Resolution International panels, Beverley will be sharing real-world strategies while speaking at the “Developing Practical Strategies for UK-Nigeria Collaboration in Litigation, Arbitration, and ADR” session.

Bomo Alabi, OON, SAN, the Chair of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice and Senior Partner at Primera Africa Legal (Nigeria), will be be part of a Fireside Chat, “The Power of Legal Networks: A Dialogue Between BNLF and the NBA”, exploring how collaboration across legal communities can fuel opportunity, advocacy, and transformation in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape.

The Nigeria Conference and Gala will bring together legal practitioners, business leaders, policy makers, and regulators from both the UK and Nigeria to explore the evolving legal and commercial landscape across both jurisdictions, presenting opportunities for collaboration, digital transformation, and cross-border opportunities for law firms, in-house counsel, entrepreneurs, and aspiring lawyers.

Festivities close with a special Gala Dinner, where guests are encouraged to dress in their finest traditional attire, with a touch of green, for a red carpet arrival then a night of fine dining, inspiring speeches, live entertainment, and well-deserved awards recognition. “The BNLF Gala Dinner is where connections are deepened, achievements are honoured, and the Summit spirit comes alive,” say organisers. 

To register for the inaugural Nigeria Conference and Gala, visit here. For more information on the British Nigeria Law Forum, visit their website or follow proceedings on LinkedIn.