Olubunmi Fayokun and Adeolu Idowu take baton to lead Aluko & Oyebode into the next era of legal practice

The elevation of Senior Partner Olunbunmi Fayokun to Chair, and Adeolu Idowu to Co-Managing Partner alongside Joke Aliu reflects Aluko & Oyebode’s strong values of meritocracy, strategic foresight, and commitment to developing world-class leaders from within, says founding partner and Of Counsel Gbenga Oyebode.

“With Olubunmi, Adeolu, and Joke at the helm, Aluko & Oyebode is ideally positioned to lead the next era of legal practice in Nigeria and beyond,” says Gbenga, who earlier this year spoke with Africa Legal about becoming the first lawyer to chair ALN, an alliance of leading corporate law firms in 15 key African jurisdictions. 

Olunbunmi takes the baton as Chair from Kofo Dosekun, who as the firm’s first female Chair led Aluko & Oyebode through four transformative years, while on 1 September Adeolu will succeed Reginald Udom as Co-Managing Partner. 

When Adeolu steps into her new role, Nigeria's leading full-service law firm, which was founded in 1993, will be led by three outstanding female practitioners. The strategic changes demonstrate a commitment to excellence, and are set to drive continued growth and market dominance, says the firm. 

“I am excited to take on this role at such a pivotal moment in the firm’s history,” says Olubunmi, who previously headed the firm’s Capital Markets and M&A practices, has four decades of experience advising top-tier domestic and international clients, and is listed in both the Legal500 and IFLR1000 Women Dealmakers Halls of Fame. 

“We are not just building on a strong legacy - we are shaping the future of legal practice in Nigeria,” she says. “With a deep bench of talent and a relentless focus on excellence, we will continue to deliver bold solutions and enduring value to our clients across industries and borders.”

Widely recognised as a market leader in Corporate Commercial Law, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Financial Services, Olubunmi has led several impactful, market-defining and precedent-setting transactions, including: Nigeria’s first Additional Tier 1 Eurobond; the demutualisation and listing of The Nigerian Stock Exchange; and Diageo Plc’s divestment from Guinness Nigeria Plc.

She takes the baton from Kofo, who along with leading Aluko & Oyebode as Chair for the past four years had played a foundational role in building the firm’s Corporate Commercial and Banking & Finance practices, and the firm’s rise to preeminence. 

A trailblazer and highly respected figure among the global profession, Kofo will remain at the firm, joining Gbenga Oyebode as an Of Counsel. She was recognised as an Eminent Practitioner in Chambers Global 2025, and as Aluko & Oyebode Chair, “her tenure has significantly advanced the firm’s reputation for diversity, forward-thinking leadership, and exceptional client outcomes”, says the firm. 

“It has been an honour to help shape the growth of Aluko & Oyebode and to contribute to the firm’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading law firm,” says Kofo. “I look forward to supporting the new leadership team as they take the firm to new heights - driven by excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our clients.”

When Reginald is succeeded by Adeolu as Co-Managing Partner in September, he will continue to serve in a senior leadership role on the firm’s Board. Adeolu, who began with the firm in 1995 as an associate, is a highly accomplished lawyer with nearly 30 years experience spanning Private Wealth, Energy, Telecommunications, and Corporate Governance. In recent years she has led Aluko & Oyebode’s Governance Risk and Compliance practice, after returning to the firm in 2021 following many years in general counsel and company secretarial roles. 

Together, she and Joke, her fellow Co-Managing Partner, represent “a dynamic and complementary leadership team - uniquely positioned to advance the firm’s commitment to innovation, excellence in client service, and strategic growth”.