Solape Peters is a Partner at the Law firm of Olajide Oyewole LLP (‘OOLLP’), and a member of the DLA Piper Africa Group, where she is focused on the telecoms and construction sector.
The holder of a Law degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, she was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. Over the years, her expertise has ranged from providing regulatory, commercial, and transactional expertise to government bodies, regulators, financial institutions, major corporations, and other key stakeholders.
With a career spanning over two decades (with both in-company and external legal counsel experience), Peter’s clients describe her as ‘client-centric’ – a testimonial that has been recognized by Legal500 . She has also been recognized as one of the leading female lawyers in Business Law in Nigeria by Esquire Legal Practice Magazine. With over a decade of in-company experience working with Celtel Nigeria, (now ‘Airtel Nigeria’) and Etisalat Nigeria (now ‘9mobile’) in various specialist and management roles, she brings considerable expertise to her current role as co-head of the Finance and Projects Practice of the firm. She also leads various transactions within the2 transportation and infrastructure sector, which includes aviation and Public Private Partnership (‘PPP’) projects.
Solape Peters also provides legal advisory services in construction-related matters including drafting, negotiating and advising on complex construction and engineering contracts, development funding and construction-related dispute mediation.
Her expertise ensures that stakeholders in any construction project, are provided with a holistic view of the possible legal challenges, which saves time and money.
A member of the Nigerian Bar Association and associate member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (‘ICSAN’), Peters is a skilled public speaker who often speaks at PPP and other project management conferences.
In the run-up to the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Peters – who serves as Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC), spoke to NEWSWIRE Law Events magazine on preparations for the confab, and what attendees should expect from the experience.
Excerpts:
NEWSWIRE: What are your expectations for the forthcoming SBL Conference, and what should attendees expect?
PETERS: We are incredibly excited about the upcoming Conference, not just because of the scale and ambition of what we’re planning, but also because of what it represents. The world is changing fast, and business law professionals must evolve in tandem. This year’s Conference is designed to be more than just a meeting of minds; it is a platform for transformation.
Our expectation is that every attendee — whether a returning delegate or a first-time participant — leaves with actionable insights, renewed energy, and a broader network. The sessions will be intellectually rigorous, the speakers world-class, and the conversations stimulating. But beyond that, we want the experience to resonate long after the Conference ends. Attendees can expect immersive discussions, curated masterclasses, real-time tech demonstrations, and access to some of the sharpest minds working at the intersection of law, business, and innovation today.
We’re also placing a strong emphasis on networking and collaboration. There will be structured and informal opportunities for participants to connect — across sectors, practice areas, and industries. This is where real value is often found: in the relationships built, the conversations sparked, and the ideas born in-between panels. So, in short, our expectation is that this Conference will serve as a catalyst for new thinking, new partnerships, and meaningful professional growth.
Q: The theme of this year’s SBL Conference is “The Future of Business Law in the Intelligence Age.” What inspired this theme?
A: This theme came from a place of deep reflection. We live in a time where intelligence — in all its forms, from artificial to emotional — is reshaping the way we do business, interact with clients, and deliver legal services. The legal profession, often perceived as slow to change, is now facing a critical moment. Do we cling to tradition, or do we lean into this new age with courage and curiosity? We chose this theme because we believe the legal profession must be at the forefront of interpreting and shaping the rules of engagement for emerging technologies. As AI systems make decisions that once required human judgment, and as data becomes the new oil, the role of business lawyers becomes even more complex — and essential. We are no longer just legal advisors; we must be strategic partners, technology interpreters, and ethical gatekeepers.
By focusing on “The Intelligence Age,” we’re signaling that this is not just about understanding the tools of today, but also about anticipating the needs and challenges of tomorrow. It’s a call for lawyers to be bolder, more adaptive, and more collaborative in how we define our future relevance.
Q: What impact is this Conference expected to have on Nigeria’s business law ecosystem?
A: We envision this conference as a springboard for meaningful impact —both in the short and long term. In the immediate sense, we hope it will inspire participants to rethink their role in a changing world. Whether it’s a young associate hearing from a global tech counsel for the first time, or a regulator engaging with disruptive founders in real time, these moments spark curiosity and, ultimately, action.
Mid to long term, we want this conference to influence how legal services are delivered, how laws are shaped, and how institutions think about regulation and innovation. Nigeria’s business law ecosystem is ripe for reform — there is an appetite for more agile regulation, for greater cross-sector collaboration, and for a legal community that is more attuned to the demands of the 21st century. If we can plant seeds that lead to regulatory reviews, new practice frameworks, or even cross-border collaborations, we will have made a tangible impact.
Moreover, we hope the outcomes of this Conference will contribute to policy dialogue at higher levels. The ideas shared here can — and should — become white papers, journal articles, and proposals that guide legislative action and business strategy.
Q: Could you give us a preview of some key speakers and resource persons expected?
A: We’ve taken great care in curating this year’s speaker lineup. The goal was to balance depth and diversity — across geography, sector, and perspective. You’ll hear from leading corporate lawyers, regulators, judges, academics, tech innovators, venture capitalists, and founders — all of whom bring something unique to the table. While we don’t want to give away all the surprises, we can confirm that delegates can expect speakers such as Nkem Nweke – Products, Design and Innovation, Microsoft; Flora Fabyan – MD, Bank of Industry – Investment and Trust Company Ltd.; Gbenga Omotosho – Contracts and Procurements, Chevron; Yemisi Falaye – Head of Legal, The Temple Company, as well as highly anticipated panel discussions featuring global experts who are at the forefront of legal innovation. We’ll also have breakout sessions led by professionals in fintech, cybersecurity, entertainment law, and AI governance — areas that are rapidly reshaping the legal and commercial landscape. What’s more exciting is that this year, we’re amplifying younger voices too. Emerging leaders who are already doing ground-breaking work in legal tech, compliance, and policy reform will be spotlighted. We believe in giving a platform to the next generation and creating space for intergenerational learning.
Q: Has the NBA-SBL seen tangible results from past Conferences in terms of influencing policy and regulatory reforms?
A: Yes — and we’re proud to say that the ripple effects of past Conferences are visible in several key areas. These Conferences have consistently provided a credible, respected platform for dialogue between the legal profession and policymakers. Some of the recommendations from past sessions have informed white papers, reform proposals, and new regulatory frameworks. For example, in past years, conversations around insolvency reform, intellectual property modernization, and digital financial services have found their way into legislative drafting and regulatory roundtables. We’ve also seen members of the SBL community become part of strategic government working groups, advisory councils, and reform task forces. That’s impact. However, we recognize that there’s still a long way to go. The process of systemic change is ongoing, and sometimes slow. But each year, we move the needle forward by offering thought leadership, creating space for rigorous dialogue, and holding stakeholders accountable. That’s how real, lasting reform takes root.
Q: SBL is known for integrating tech into its Conferences. What role will technology play this year?
A: This year, technology is not just an enabler—it’s part of the narrative. From the moment delegates register, they will experience a tech-forward journey: AI-powered matchmaking for networking, a digital conference app for real-time engagement, and smart tools to personalize each participant’s agenda based on their interests. But more importantly, the content of the conference will interrogate how technology is challenging legal boundaries and creating new possibilities. We’ll examine legal implications of deep fakes, the role of smart contracts in cross-border trade, the emergence of digital assets, and the ethics of surveillance in a connected world. These are not hypothetical concerns— they are pressing issues that legal practitioners must be ready to address.
We’ll also have a tech showcase zone, where startups and tech companies will demo tools built specifically for the legal ecosystem. This hands-on exposure is part of our mission to bridge the knowledge gap and make innovation real, not abstract.
NEWSWIRE: Thank you.
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