Nigerian and British legal links strengthen further as BNLF grows its cross-border mission ahead of flagship Gala Dinner

As the British Nigerian Law Forum (BNLF) prepares for its flagship Annual Gala Dinner, to be held at The Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn in London on Friday 21 November, along with other events in Nigeria and the UK, the longstanding organisation is looking to boost its Nigerian membership while supporting lawyers of all levels, 

The BNLF originally grew out of the First African Law Week conference in Abuja in 2001, which was hosted by the British Council. It is a bilateral organisation of practicing lawyers and law students in Nigeria and the UK, aiming to bolster UK-Nigeria connections for mutual benefit and the promotion of legal ideals, while providing business, networking, and educational opportunities for its members.

“We’ve grown from a small UK network to a respected voice in legal and policy circles in both the UK and Nigeria,” says BNLF Vice-Chair Genevieve Nwodo Wakeley-Jones, who is herself dual qualified in Nigeria and England & Wales. “We’ve mentored countless professionals, and built partnerships that transcend borders.”

Genevieve and BNLF Chair Kash Balogun are keen to have more Nigerian lawyers of all levels as well as Nigerian law students join the organisation, as the BNLF is a community that champions excellence and representation on the global stage. 

Following the inaugural BNLF Nigerian Conference and Gala in Lagos in late June, described by attendees as a ‘game-changing’ event and golden opportunity, the BNLF established a Lagos Committee to help drive their cross-border mission. 

That new Lagos Committee will be unveiled later this week, on Thursday, 23 October, at a special Lagos Networking Mixer held at the Grey Matter Social Space on Victoria Island. Committed to fostering the legal community in Lagos and deepening its partnership and presence within the vibrant Nigerian profession, a number of past Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the BNLF will be attending the exciting evening of networking, drinks, nibbles, and advice on how to become dual qualified.

Later this month, on 30 October, the BNLF’s Junior Lawyers Division will host a London event exploring the route to qualification as a barrister in England & Wales. 

Following a presentation, an expert panel of UK-qualified (and dual-qualified) barristers from chambers and law firms will offer practical tips on breaking through barriers to qualification, how to develop essential skills, and life after qualification. 

The cross-border relationship-building continues next month with BNLF’s flagship Annual Gala Dinner, to be held at The Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn on 21 November,

VIP guests at the Gala Dinner include: Florence Eselomi MP, the UK's Trade Envoy to Nigeria; Olukorede Adenowo, Chief Executive of FirstBank Nigeria UK; and Chinwe Odimba-Chapman, Managing Partner of global firm Clifford Chance’s London office. 

“We invite you to an evening of unparalleled elegance and insight, bringing together the most distinguished legal minds from the UK and Nigeria,” says the BNLF, noting that this year’s Gala Dinner marks a new chapter of success and collaboration. “This is more than just an event; it is a convergence of visionaries, a celebration of achievement, and a platform for forging connections that last a lifetime.”

For further details and registration for the BNLF Lagos Networking Mixer, go here. 

For more information and registration for the BNLF Junior Lawyers Division event on the route to qualification as a barrister in England & Wales, go here. 

Further details and registration for the flagship BNLF Annual Gala Dinner on 21 November, here.