Team size: 5

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Over the past year, the legal team has supported several strategic transactions critical to the Company’s growth and operational priorities. A key engagement was advising on the Company’s expansion into Cameroon, working with local counsel to navigate regulatory entry requirements, corporate registration, and sector-specific compliance. The team led due diligence on local partners and structured the contractual framework for the Company’s first partner store, balancing speed to market with regulatory compliance, risk allocation, and brand protection. In parallel, the legal team played a central role in the launch of the Company’s e-commerce platform. This involved advising on intellectual property protection, data protection and consumer compliance, platform risk mitigation, and the negotiation of contracts with logistics providers, payment partners, and third-party vendors. Given the scale of the platform, emphasis was placed on governance, liability management, and operational resilience. Across these matters, the legal team operated as a strategic partner, enabling growth while managing risk.

What role does corporate counsel play in strengthening corporate governance in light of Nigeria’s recent reforms and stakeholder expectations?

A corporate counsel plays a central role in strengthening corporate governance by translating Nigeria’s evolving legal and regulatory reforms into actionable initiatives for both the board and management. In a dynamic commercial environment shaped by continuous legislative reforms introduced by government and regulators, a corporate counsel must stay current on these legal developments, assess the implications for the business, and proactively advise management on compliance and governance adjustments. Beyond regulatory compliance, a corporate counsel embeds legal risk management into corporate processes (including commercial drafting) to promote transparency, accountability, and alignment with stakeholder expectations. This includes advising the Board and Management on statutory obligations, supporting ethical decision-making, strengthening internal controls, and guiding effective stakeholder engagement frameworks. Acting as a bridge between regulators, management, and the board, a corporate counsel ensures governance practices remain robust, responsive, and credible. In this way, governance is positioned not merely as a box-ticking exercise but as a strategic enabler of sustainable business value and long-term growth.

What strategies has your legal team adopted to manage disputes and mitigate risks in Nigeria’s dynamic business environment?

The legal team adopts a proactive and commercially aligned approach to dispute management and risk mitigation in Nigeria’s dynamic business environment. At the contract formation stage, we ensure that commercial agreements contain clear and effective dispute resolution mechanisms, with a preference for alternative dispute resolution to control costs and preserve business relationships. When disputes arise, our first response is to pursue amicable and commercially sensible resolutions. Where escalation is required, we utilise structured ADR platforms, including the Lagos State Multi-Door Courthouse, and actively leverage court-led case management processes to avoid protracted litigation and unnecessary exposure. Even where matters proceed to formal litigation, settlement opportunities are continuously explored to minimise disruption to operations. Risk mitigation is further supported through robust due diligence on counterparties and careful risk allocation in contracts, including the use of indemnities, warranties, and limitations of liability. This integrated approach enables the business to manage disputes efficiently while safeguarding value, continuity, and reputation.

How is your legal department leveraging technology to improve compliance monitoring, contract management, or governance reporting?

The legal department has adopted a technology-driven approach to enhance visibility, consistency, and control across compliance, contract management, and governance reporting. These tools reduce manual processes, strengthen oversight, and enable informed decision-making. In contract management, the team launched an internal platform that standardised requisitions, centralises storage and to flags key milestones such as renewals and expirations. This has improved turnaround times, mitigated operational risk, and strengthened audit readiness. For compliance monitoring, a digitally accessible compliance tracker captures regulatory filings, licence renewals, and statutory obligations. Integrated with shared calendars and automated reminders, it enables proactive tracking, clear ownership, and reduces the risk of missed obligations. Governance reporting is supported by an in-house application that provides structured guidance on obligations, facilitates timely reporting, and enhances board and management oversight. Periodic regulatory filings/applications are submitted via secure digital portals on the platform of each Regulator. Collaboration tools, including Microsoft Teams, are integrated into these workflows, supporting real-time engagement, faster issue resolution, and effective cross-functional coordination. Overall, technology has allowed the legal team to shift from administrative duties to strategic advisory, risk management, and value creation.