The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2025 returns on 9 November to celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership within the legal profession.
According to the organisers, the event, which will hold at Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, is more than just an award ceremony. It stands as a ‘powerful tribute to the lawyers whose counsel, advocacy, and foresight continue to propel Nigeria’s economy forward’, a statement by the Press and Communications Office of ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2025, read.
Founder/Publisher of ESQ Legal Blitz, Lere Fashola, who is also the Convener of the Nigerian Legal Awards, said: ‘The Nigerian Legal Awards celebrates the important contribution of lawyers to businesses — they are the unseen architects of growth, governance, and trust in our economy .
‘This year’s edition reinforces our commitment to spotlighting the transformative role of legal excellence in shaping commerce, justice, and national progress’.
Among this year’s honourees are former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN); a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Alhaji Hamed Raji (SAN); Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN); and Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), who is to be honoured as Legal Amazon of the Year, a recognition dedicated to exceptional female lawyers
Institutional awardees include the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Zenith Bank Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Rendeavour Nigeria & Alaro City, and Oando Plc.
Since its inception, the Nigerian Legal Awards has established itself as a legacy event within the legal and business community, celebrating exceptional individuals and institutions that exemplify professional excellence, ethics, and innovation.
Over the years, the Awards had honoured legal icons including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), former Chief Justices Muhammed Uwais and Alfa Belgore.
The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards are structured around three distinct yet interconnected pillars — each designed to honour excellence at different stages and facets of legal practice in Nigeria and beyond. Together, these categories highlight the evolving contribution of lawyers to business, governance, and national development.
A steady rise in the number of entries for the Awards has elevated the quality and creativity of shortlisted submissions, a trend many judges noted with admiration last year. This growing competitiveness means that entrants must now demonstrate truly exceptional work to stand out. Still, while some categories are hotly contested, strategic entrants may find that the less-crowded categories offer a clearer stage to showcase leadership strength and innovation.
Lere Fashola said: ‘All over the world, there are similar respectable ceremonies that grant prizes, but this offers another flavour as it is specifically for Nigerian lawyers. Because most Nigerian firms are playing at home — in front of their public, their audience, their clients, their colleagues, their neighbours, and their bosses — the acknowledgement is even greater. As we stick very closely to the new trends in the market, we are able to see before anyone else and spot the new “kids on the block”, see how the “old guys” are doing in their traditional areas or new areas they are developing, and observe what innovations the new players are bringing to the game, as well as the influence of international players in the market’.
This flagship segment celebrates law firms and practice groups that have demonstrated exceptional skills, innovation, and commercial impact over the past 18 months. The category is deal-driven, assessing how legal solutions have directly influenced the success of clients’ businesses.
The organising committee said: ‘We are thrilled to recognise the outstanding achievements of these exceptional law firms and their teams of associates. The Nigerian Legal Awards is a testament to their dedication, innovation, and excellence in the legal field — and the resultant effect on the growth of commerce in Nigeria’.
The Awards maintain an unwavering commitment to fairness and merit. Submissions are independently evaluated by a panel of distinguished judges who focus on measurable achievements, deal outcomes, and tangible client impact. This merit-driven process ensures that recognition is grounded in excellence, professionalism, and verifiable results rather than influence or patronage. By spotlighting outstanding practice groups, the Awards foster healthy competition, elevate professional standards, and inspire the next generation of legal innovators.
One of the categories — the Nigerian Rising Stars Award — recognises 40 exceptional lawyers of Nigerian descent under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and remarkable promise early in their careers. These are young professionals whose reputation, influence, and intellectual brilliance embody the finest ideals of the legal profession. Nominees are drawn from both local and international organisations — including law firms, corporations, NGOs, and regulatory agencies.
Over the years, this platform has produced a generation of legal leaders who have risen to become Managing Partners of top-tier firms, General Counsel of major multinationals, and CEOs of leading enterprises across sectors.
The Editors’ Merit Awards honours distinguished individuals who represent the highest ideals of the legal profession — integrity, excellence, and enduring impact. The Editors’ Merit Awards celebrate legacies that transcend legal mastery to include transformative contributions to governance, policy, and national development.
The category underscores the broader significance of law in shaping economic growth and social progress. With Nigeria’s economy projected to expand steadily in 2025, the legal profession continues to play a central role in driving commerce, protecting investments, and enabling innovation across critical sectors such as oil and gas, telecommunications, finance, and real estate. By honouring these exemplary figures, the Awards reaffirm the enduring role of lawyers as architects of stability, growth, and justice.
In the Law Firm Practice Area categories, each honouree will receive a bespoke, handcrafted crystal trophy, created as a homage to the enduring excellence of Nigeria’s legal profession.
Now in its 12th edition, the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards stands as the definitive platform spotlighting excellence within Nigeria’s legal landscape and economy.
It celebrates the pivotal role of lawyers in fostering business growth, good governance, and societal transformation — recognising attributes such as innovation, dedication, and professionalism that elevate the Nigerian legal profession on the global stage.
Through a meticulous selection process overseen by a distinguished panel of local and international judges, the Awards continue to embody the highest standards of legal excellence on the African continent.
The judging process is rigorous and transparent — led by an independent panel of judges comprising heads of African law practice groups from leading global law firms, senior academics, and business leaders. This ensures that the Awards continue to reflect the highest standards of merit and integrity in Africa’s legal sector.
The 2025 panel of judges is chaired by Partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, Kamal Shah. Also in the panel are: Partner at Oraro & Company (Kenya), Noella Lubano; Partner at Trizon Law Chambers (Nigeria), Foluke Akinmoladun; Consultant Solicitor at Setfords (United Kingdom), Babatunde Akinyanju; CEO of Utica Capital, Ola Belgore; Partner at Addleshaw Goddard (United Kingdom), Nick Ashcroft; Principal Consultant at OCM Associates Limited, Chidi Momah; Partner at Templars, Funmi Iyayi; and Partner at Ashurst LLP (United Kingdom), Matthew Wood.
