Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie elevates rising star Lisa Esamah to Managing Associate among dozens of internal promotions

The exceptional skills, unwavering commitment, and sheer determination of dozens of its younger lawyers has set a remarkable example, said leading Nigerian law firm Udo Udomo & Belo-Osagie (UUBO) while celebrating the internal promotions of more than 30 of its highly talented staff on Friday afternoon. 

“We take pride in fostering the career progression of our employees and recognising their diligence and dedication,” said the firm. “May this accomplishment mark the beginning of their continued triumphs in their professional journeys.”

Senior Associate Lisa Esamah, an invaluable member of UUBO’s capital markets, banking and finance, and corporate commercial teams, has received a “well-deserved promotion” to Managing Associate, announced UUBO on Friday.

Described by the firm as having “limitless” potential when she was recognised last year as a Rising Star in the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards, Lisa was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2017 and joined UUBO as an associate in 2021. 

She has been involved in a wide range of complex transactions, including leveraged and acquisition finance, debt capital market, corporate restructuring, insolvency, equity capital markets, IPOs, private equity, and regulatory advisory services. She was instrumental in the consolidation and subsequent listing of BUA Foods PLC, which added N720 billion to the market cap of the Nigerian stock exchange.

Lisa was also named a Rising Star in the 2023 IFLR 1000 rankings, and has previously been celebrated by Dyslexia Nigeria for her achievements and example. Diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 8, Lisa faced academic challenges but never gave up. “Her inspiring story is a testament to the power of resilience and hard work.”

On Friday, UUBO also congratulated seven other senior associates on their promotions. Pamela Onah of the firm’s corporate and commercial, banking and finance, and fintech teams, becomes a Senior Associate 1, having previously become a senior associate in 2022. Banking and finance expert Abolanle Ayoola, private equity, M&A and competition lawyer Tobechi Nwokocha, mining and corporate advisory expert Etido David, and finance, energy and infrastructure lawyer Chisom Okolie were all also promoted to Senior Associate 1. Recent associates Maryam Salami and Godson Iwuozo have been promoted to Senior Associate 2. 

UUBO, which has offices in three of Nigeria’s key commercial centres and an affiliate in Ghana, prides itself on a “culture of openness and inclusion” alongside a “commitment to future growth” of its leadership and the firm as a whole. 

On Friday it further illustrated this culture and commitment with the announcement of the promotion of another 23 young lawyers to Associate-level positions.