It was billed as the first Summit in the 25-year history of the British-Nigerian Lawyers Forum (BNLF) to be held in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub – after over two decades of being held in locations across the United Kingdom.
In the run-up to the maiden Nigerian Summit, the Organizing Committee hosted a Press Briefing to intimate members of the media on preparations for what they said, would be an impactful and memorable experience for attendees, to raise awareness within and beyond the legal community and to heighten anticipation among prospective participants.
NEWSWIRE Law Events Magazine’s correspondent in Lagos reports that the briefing, held at the law firm of George Etomi & Partners (GEPLAW) in the high-brow Parkview Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos, got going with introductory remarks by Funbi Akinsanya, Social Secretary of the BNLF, who is tasked with guiding prospective attendees and the media through the registration process, available ticket categories, and how individuals and organisations can partner with the BNLF.
She spoke on the history and evolution of the BNLF, the essence of the maiden Nigeria Summit, mode of registration, as well as audience engagement, and sponsorship.
Describing the two-day Summit, which is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, 2025, as an incredible gathering of professionals, leaders, and change-makers, Akinsanya said Lagos would witness a defining moment in the nearly 25-year journey of the British Nigeria Law Forum.
The marketing teams, she said, were working hard to ensure that the Summit reflects the spirit of the BNLF —welcoming, inclusive, forward-looking, and deeply rooted in both tradition and progress. “No matter who you are or where you are,” she said, “you’ll feel that this event is accessible, meaningful, and tailored to your journey.”
Far from being just another legal conference, she added, the event would be a celebration of connections, a platform for new alliances, and a space where professional excellence meets cultural pride, a platform where lawyers – whether they be students taking their first step into international legal spaces or seasoned partners looking to expand their cross-border network – would find that the Nigeria Summit was designed with their interests in mind.
According to her, the Summit would be a homecoming, a reunion of ideas, people, and possibilities. “Whether you’re a lawyer, entrepreneur, or policymaker,” she stated, “this summit offers you the opportunity to engage with top minds from Nigeria and the UK.”
A mix of events combining intellectual depth and cultural flair, she said, has been curated to enable participants to, in her words, network in style and substance.
On the registration process, Funbi assured that it couldn’t be more seamless. “All you need to do,” she explained, “is visit our website at www.bnlf.org.uk or go directly to our ticketing portal. There you’ll find different categories — standard delegate tickets, and student rates.” This, she said, was to ensure that the Summit would be accessible to everyone — from senior legal practitioners to young lawyers and students. “For group packages and exclusive table bookings,” she added, “please email info@bnlf.org.uk or ring our helpline and we will be happy to assist.”
The good news, she went on to say, was that a ticket gives one access to all 3 events slated for the Summit – from the Cocktail Reception, to the Conference proper, to the Gala Dinner.
The Social Secretary urged would-be participants to register early, as spaces are limited.
Funbi Akinsanya also touched on the sponsorship of the event, saying the organizing committee would gladly welcome private, corporate and institutional sponsors, who can take advantage of any one of the tiered packages – namely, Platinum, Gold and Silver – as well as other visibility opportunities like sponsoring the event’s digital media or gifts for delegates.
She advised interested organisations to email info@bnlf.org.uk for the committee’s sponsorship brochure.
Speaking next, the Programme Lead of the BNLF Summit, Uche Akingbade dwelt on the intellectual component of the Summit – namely, the content, panel discussions workshops, and topical issues. The focus of the Summit, she began by saying, was deliberate and bold, with a view to delivering an event that doesn’t just inform, but also challenges assumptions, stimulates critical thinking, and provides practical, real-world solutions. “We’re looking beyond theoretical discussions,” she said, “to deliver panels, workshops, and sessions that equip our audience with tools they can apply immediately in their professional journeys.”
Akingbade disclosed that a cross-section of thought-leaders, regulators, innovators, and seasoned legal professionals from both Nigeria and the UK, are billed to speak at the event – sharing their thoughts and insights on subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and blockchain in legal practice, to cross-border dispute resolution and commercial innovation. The Summit, she said, would also feature high-impact and participatory panels, workshops, and keynote addresses on AI, cryptocurrency, global branding, and international dispute resolution.
Far from being just a gathering of legal minds, the Programme Lead said, the Summit is a forward-looking platform for exchanging strategies, building networks, and igniting the next chapter in the evolution of the legal profession.
Describing the Summit as bi-jurisdictional, cross-sectoral, and forward-thinking, Akingbade said it would be a forum to tackle not only law, but also commerce, policy, and innovation – hence the inclusion of tailored sessions on legal branding, mentorship opportunities, and tips for building an international legal career.
Also speaking, Mr. George Etomi, the Managing Partner at George Etomi & Partners, and a Pioneer Member of the BNLF, opened by describing the body’s mandate as that of building legacy, credibility, and relevance. He went on to highlight the Forum’s historical roots, its journey over the nearly 25 years of its existence, and the importance of its continued relevance in bridging legal ecosystems between the UK and Nigeria.
“When we set out on this journey more than two decades ago,” he said, “we envisioned a forum that would serve as a bridge connecting legal professionals across borders and strengthening the rule of law through collaboration.”
Today, Etomi said, that vision is more alive than ever. “As we prepare for our inaugural Summit in Nigeria,” he added, “I am both reflective and proud. Reflective of how far we’ve come, and proud of the commitment that continues to drive us forward.”
Describing the Nigeria Summit as long overdue, he added that it nevertheless marks an exciting new chapter in BNLF’s legacy, and reflects the BNLF’s journey and how far its members have come in building a vibrant legal and professional community across borders of Nigeria and the UK.
The BNLF, he said, was born out of a deep need to create a legal bridge between Nigeria and the UK. After the British Council’s African Law Week in Abuja in 2001, he recalled, it was clear that there needed to be a permanent platform for continued engagement. The BNLF, he asserted, has filled that gap. “In the early days,” he went on to say, “the Forum was supported by the Law Society and Bar Council from 2002 to 2005. Since then, we’ve grown into an independent organisation, powered by the community and committed to thought leadership, mentorship, and policy dialogue.”
On the continued relevance or otherwise of the organisation in these changing times, Etomi said the legal challenges and opportunities between the UK and Nigeria are evolving rapidly – digitally, commercially, and geopolitically. “The BNLF”, he said, “brings structure and insight to that complexity.”
He also informed the media that the BNLF has mentored countless young professionals and acted as a launchpad for cross-border legal careers, as well as inspired reforms and fostered international collaborations that go beyond courtrooms.
His expectation for this year’s Summit in Lagos, he said, is to see the Forum’s legacy come full circle.
Also at the press briefing was Mr. Ololade Saromi, the immediate past Chairman of the BNLF, who was there both in his personal capacity, and on behalf of the current Chairman, Mr. Kash Balogun, and the Vice Chairman, Ms. Genevieve Wakeley-Jones.
Hosting the BNLF Summit in Lagos – which, he said, is a centre of excellence which stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and leadership – sends a powerful message, not only about roots, but about direction. “For nearly 25 years,” he added, “the BNLF has championed legal collaboration, mentorship, and bilateral dialogue. This Summit is the culmination of that journey and the beginning of a renewed commitment to building bridges, amplifying voices, and unlocking new opportunities for cross-border growth.”
The Nigeria Summit, he said, was about forging stronger legal and business ties between the UK and Nigeria, about dialogue, connection, and impact, and indeed everything from innovation in legal practice to cross-border investment. Therefore, he added, lawyers, business leaders, policy makers, in-house counsel, entrepreneurs and anyone who operates or intends to operate across Nigeria and the UK, Saromi asserted, should find the proceedings at the Summit very useful, as its strategic packages would provide visibility, brand association, and direct access to decision-makers – which makes for long-term positioning.
The Head of Logistics for the forthcoming summit, Kemi Afesojaye, also gave an overview of the event organisation, venues, hotels, the gala dinner, and on-ground coordination.
Planning an event of this scale (across two nations, multiple sectors, and diverse stakeholder groups) she said, has been an extraordinary journey, one that demanded precision, foresight, and most importantly, teamwork. “But beyond the logistics,” she said, “lies something even more meaningful: a sense of celebration.”
Afesojaiye went to list out the key activities at the Summit which would begin with a Cocktail Reception at the official residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria in Ikoyi, Lagos, to the Conference itself at the Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island. Activities, she said, would culminate in a grand Gala Dinner at the Oriental Hotel, an evening that, she added, promises elegance, networking, entertainment, and cultural expression.
“It will not only honour BNLF’s remarkable legacy but also shine a spotlight on the vibrant future we are building together.” To this end, she said, the committee has partnered with select hotels offering discounted rates for summit participants.
NEWSWIRE’s correspondent also reported that the briefing, which was graced by other members of the Planning Committee such as Toyin Asada and Temilola Muyiwa-Ajayi, also featured a question-and-answer session, as the members of the committee fielded a number of inquiries from the press on a wide number of issues.
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