As has been the case with every single edition since its inception 12 years ago, the 2025 edition of the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards was a glamorous and star-studded affair, as the cream of the country’s legal community converged at the Landmark Event Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, November 9, 2025 to honour excellence, diligence, innovation and ethical leadership in the advancement of the profile and fortunes of the legal industry in Nigeria, and in the growth and development of the country as a whole.
NEWSWIRE Law Events Magazine’s correspondent in Lagos reports that the event, whose prestige has grown exponentially over the years, was graced by luminaries on both the Bar and the Bench, as well as distinguished personalities from business, academia and other professions.
Organized by ESQ Legal Blitz and hosted by ESQ Trainings Limited , the annual ceremony recognizes legal professionals, law firms, and institutions whose work continues to drive economic growth, strengthen governance, and promote justice.
Regarded as the gold standard for the celebration of distinction in the Nigerian legal ecosystem, the event – according to its Convener and the publisher of ESQ Legal Blitz, Mr. Lere Fashola in his Address of Welcome – is a tribute to the often unseen contributions of lawyers to business and national development.
“Lawyers,” he said, “are the architects of growth, governance, and trust in our economy.” The 2025 edition, he added was a reiteration of his organization’s commitment towards highlighting the transformative role of legal excellence in shaping commerce, justice, and national progress. “We track emerging trends in the market- spotting new talent, recognizing innovation, and tracking how legal practice evolves locally and globally,” Fashola stated.
His remarks were followed by those of the Chairman of the Panel of Judges, the Kenyan-born entrepreneur, Mr. Kamal Shah, whose role as Partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, UK, has enabled him to develop extensive business and personal ties to Nigeria. His panel was composed of practitioners and business leaders such as Noella Lubano (of Kenya), Nick Ashcroft of Addleshaw Goddard (from the UK), Funmi Iyayi of the law firm of Templars, and Chidi Momah, among others.
Another speaker of note on the night was the Senior Pastor of the Elevation Chapel, Pastor Godman Akinlabi.
Of particular interest to attendees was the aesthetics of the award plaque – which comes in the form of a hand-crafted crystal design inspired by Themis, the Greek goddess of Justice, but re-imagined as an African woman in traditional Yoruba attire, who is blindfolded to symbolize the legal concept of impartiality, while holding the scales and sword of justice. Another trophy, representing the Editors’ Merit Award, portrays a sage before a computer screen (portraying the fusion of tradition and technology in modern legal practice).
The event programme featured an interlude of entertainment – most notably a dance drama performance, as well as a virtuoso saxophone presentation by 14-year old Ms. Oreofe Balogun (aka Oreofe Sax) – which whetted the appetites of attendees for the evening ahead.
NEWSWIRE’s correspondent also reports that a number of leading law firms in Nigeria received awards in various practice-based categories – such as oil and gas; corporate and commercial practice; project finance; the capital market; intellectual property; labour and employment; media and entertainment; mergers and acquisitions; private equity; real estate and construction; shipping and maritime; mining; telecoms; insolvency, and many others.
There were also awards for the business of law; for pro bono services; for the 40 most outstanding lawyers under the age of 40; for the Managing Partner of the Year (for small, medium and large firms, respectively) and the Law Firm of the Year (for small, medium and large firms, respectively).
Institutional award recipients included the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zenith Bank Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Alaro City, and Oando Plc, among others.
This year’s award recipients follow in the illustrious footsteps of past honorees such as former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Chief Afe Babalola, SAN; the late Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN; Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; as well as retired Chief Justices of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Muhammed Uwais (of blessed memory); and Hon. Justice Modibbo Alfa Belgore, among others.
By universal consensus, the 2025 edition of the Nigerian Legal Awards was a resounding success, as guests savored another memorable evening against the backdrop of fine wining and dining, stimulating conversation, exciting entertainment and numerous photo and networking opportunities.
In the dozen years of its existence, the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards has, with each successive edition, upheld its proud reputation as the foremost platform in celebration of the crucial role of lawyers in advancing business, governance, and societal progress in Nigeria.
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