Nigeria: Environment
As a country innately rich in natural resources, the environmental effects of extraction are well documented in Nigeria. The widespread social and environmental problems stemming from oil and mining operations in the south east of the country have highlighted the need for local legal expertise to limit the impact of continued energy development. We feature three lawyers in this section who are at the forefront of practice.
Former managing partner of AELEX, Soji Awogbade has a varied and extensive practice spanning over 20 years. He specialises in environmental projects in the energy industry, and has been involved in many prominent foreign investment deals, such as the Mobil OSO Field Condensation Development Projects, the West African Gas Pipeline Project and several other ventures. He has played an active role in developing environmental law initiatives in Nigeria and continues to do so through his lobbying of the national and international environmental communities. He is a “significant player” in this field.
From Churchfields Solicitors, Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun is an “environmental expert”. She provides wholesale guidance to both domestic and foreign clients. She advises on compliance requirements, carries out impact assessments and formulates contracts. A key part of her practice is litigation: she acts for clients against government-issued penalties and misadministration of policies. She is the former vice chair (West Africa) of the African regional forum of the IBA.
Managing partner and head of the maritime and environmental law practice of Paul Usoro & Co, Mfon Ekong Usoro is a leading practitioner in environmental law in the maritime industry. She has forged an “impressive reputation” for her knowledge of commercial trading hazards, and the effects of shipping operations on port cities. She advocates for eco-maritime issues and has played a pivotal role in drafting national legislation in this field.