A holder of undergraduate and advanced degrees in law from reputable universities in Nigeria, ‘Nonso Azih currently serves as the Principal Counsel at Azih & Azih Legal Practitioners, a maritime and dispute resolution firm located in Ikoyi, Lagos. In the course of his rich post-call career, he has run the gamut of responsibilities in the legal ecosystem – from advocacy to corporate and in-house roles. He is also an active Bar leader, having served in various roles in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In a conversation with NEWSWIRE Law Events magazine, Mr. Azih – who is running to become the next Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch – explains his motivations for seeking the coveted job and what priorities he would pursue if elected.
Excerpts:
NEWSWIRE : Give us a brief overview of your background, early education, and why you decided to become a lawyer?
AZIH: I am a maritime and dispute resolution lawyer, and the Principal Counsel at AZIH & AZIH Legal Practitioners. I am an active member of the NBA Lagos Branch, a member of the NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee and the NBA National Litigation Committee. I am a member of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) and a member of the Employment and Labour Lawyers Association of Nigeria (ELLAN). I graduated in 2005 from the prestigious University of Nigeria and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, between October 2005 and August 2006. I was called to the Nigerian Bar on 7th November 2006. I hold an LLM in Commercial Law from the University of Lagos and a Certificate in Maritime Dispute Resolution and Arbitration from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy. I had my NYSC programme at the Ministry of Justice Minna, Niger State, where I worked closely with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in prosecuting serious and minor criminal offences. After NYSC, I started my law practice career at the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, in Ikeja, Lagos, where I cut my teeth in commercial and criminal defence litigation. Thereafter, in 2009, I joined the firm of Foundation Chambers under the tutelage of Mr. Chidi Ilogu SAN, a leading maritime and commercial lawyer, at which firm I began my specialization in maritime and admiralty law. In 2012, I joined Dentons ACAS-Law (former ACAS-Law) and worked under Mrs. Funke Agbor SAN in the Shipping and Commercial Litigation Department of the leading firm. In 2015, I was hired as a Senior Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo, where I worked with the Shipping, Aviation, International Trade, and Commercial Dispute Resolution team. Subsequently, I switched to an in-house role and worked as General Manager Legal and Compliance at APM Terminals, a member of AP Moller-Maersk Group, managing the legal and regulatory portfolio of the company, and advising management on anti-corruption, competition, foreign trade control rules, in line with international best practices. In September 2020, I left the role and set up AZIH & AZIH Legal Practitioners, where I essentially engaged in maritime, employment, and dispute resolution practice.
My early education was at Nigercem Primary School, Nkalagu, (the same primary school Governor Soludo of Anambra State attended) located at the serene cement producing town of Nkalagu under the old Anambra State, but in present-day Ebonyi State.
On why I chose to be a lawyer, growing up, as an altar boy in church, our parish priest observed that I had a logical and probing mind. He encouraged me to consider studying law if I should decide not to be a priest… laughs…
Q: Why do you want to be the next Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch? What sets you apart from your rivals in this race? What attributes, experience, expertise, etc would you bring to the table?
A: In all modesty, I want to become the next Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch because I earnestly believe I have the requisite experience and capacity to lead the Premier Bar. I have been active in law practice in the metelropolitan city of Lagos for over 18 years. Again, my practice experience cuts across diverse areas of the law, having served as an NYSC corps member at the Ministry of Justice in Niger State, and having worked in small, medium and top-tier law firms in Lagos. My rich practice experience is blended with a stint as an in-house counsel before setting up my firm, AZIH & AZIH Legal Practitioners on 1st September, 2020. I can safely say that I understand law practice in Nigeria, having had these core and practical experiences in the course of my career. I have the necessary industry connections, and I enjoy professional goodwill amongst my seniors, my peers, and younger lawyers. I have been exposed to several aspects of law practice, ranging from dispute resolution to maritime law, commercial and criminal litigation, employment law, corporate commercial, family law, etc. I understand the challenges of both young and senior lawyers in Lagos and beyond. I have held key leadership positions and have effectively managed men and resources over time as a Senior Associate and team lead in a leading law firm and as a senior management member in a leading conglomerate. I belong to and have been an active member of several professional bodies such as the NBA, the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) since 2009 and I serve as one of the youngest members of NMLA Maritime Law Reform Committee. I have been an active member of the Employment and Labour Lawyers Association (ELLAN) since 2019, where I have served meritoriously as the lead the team responsible for admitting new members. I have good social connections, leveraging my membership of prestigious clubs like Ikoyi Club 1938. I serve my community and church as a Knight of St. John International(KSJI). I have been involved in mentorship of young lawyers, community development, and youth empowerment over time.
Q: You come with some intimidating credentials as a legal practitioner. What lessons and competencies from these roles are you going to apply to your job as Lagos Bar Chairman – in the event that you are elected?
A: I am grateful for the good professional background that I have in my 18 years’ post-call experience. I have been privileged to work in small, medium-sized, and big law firms in Lagos, which gave me a 360-degree view of the peculiarities, challenges, and prospects of these categories of law firms. I have been exposed to international best practices in law and business, having worked with a leading international conglomerate before setting up my firm. I have a good grasp of compliance and standards. If I am elected Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, I will bring all these cognate experiences to bear in ensuring that we take the Premier Bar to greater heights. The lessons learned from these experiences are the imperative of leveraging all these experiences and exposure to international best practices, blended with my good understanding of our local realities as they relate to cultural, social, and political peculiarities.
Q: What will be your key priorities as NBA Lagos Branch Chairman – in the short, medium, and long term?
A: In the short term, I would want to unite the NBA Lagos Branch and restore our pride of place in the scheme of things. In the medium term, I would want to consolidate and improve upon the existing progressive initiatives/programmes of past administrations, particularly as it relates to welfare of lawyers and professional development; and in the long term, to work hard in raising funds for the completion of the Bar Centre and to leave a legacy of enduring progressive reforms as it relates to restoration of ethics and standards, enhanced remuneration for lawyers and restoration of the dignity of law practice in Lagos Branch.
Q: If you’re elected, you will be taking over from the current Chairman, Mr. Bisi Makanjuola. What policies would you be continuing from his administration – even as you strive to chart your own course and pursue your own priorities?
A: Bisi’s administration has done creditably well in terms of welfare and the defence of human rights. I will seek to increase the tempo and sustain the welfare and human rights protection and defence initiatives.
Q: The slogan of the NBA is ‘Promoting the Rule of Law?’ Are you satisfied (or should we say, encouraged) by the way the NBA Lagos Branch, in particular, is carrying out its mandate to society in this regard? If not, what more (or differently) can, or should the NBA Lagos be doing?
I think the NBA Lagos Branch has done well in promoting the rule of law, particularly as it relates to the protection of human rights. I must give kudos to Esther Ifeoma Jimoh, the Vice Chairman of Lagos Branch who doubles as the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, for her indefatigable efforts in the protection and promotion of human rights. That said, I think we can do better in having a stronger voice against actions that offend the tenets of the rule of law, not minding whose ox is gored. The Bar should be bolder and fearless in the defence of justice and the rule of law.
Q: The welfare of lawyers is still a front-burner issue for the NBA as a whole and its members. What will the NBA Lagos Branch do under your watch to enhance the welfare of lawyers?
A: As I said earlier, the welfare initiative of the NBA Lagos Branch is quite commendable. My administration would consolidate these efforts and seek to improve on them, as there is always room for improvement in any given system.
Q: Over the years, there seems to be an unspoken dichotomy between lawyers in litigation and commercial (as well as in-house/government) counsel – with the latter sometimes expressing feelings of marginalization in the scheme of things. What will the NBA Lagos Branch under your leadership do to bridge this dichotomy?
A: Thank you for this very germane question. In-house/government counsel plays a vital role in the legal ecosystem. The relationship should be symbiotic and complementary. The real or perceived discrimination against in-house/government counsel must be discouraged and nipped in the bud. As someone who had worked in-house at a very senior level, I understand the very vital role played by in-house counsel and will be committed to ensuring that their role is duly recognized, and they are brought on board to play significant roles in the scheme of things. It behooves on us as a Branch to seek to close the gaps and leverage on the skills and competencies of in-house counsel towards a more formidable Bar and to enthrone a greater sense of belonging amongst all lawyers, whether in-house or otherwise.
Q: The month of March is of special importance to women, as it underlines the growing impact and influence of females in the professional space (and the legal profession is no exception) – and the need to ensure that issues of concern to the female gender are woven into the fabric of decision and policymaking in the legal profession. How will the NBA Lagos Branch under your leadership work to advance the interests of female lawyers?
A: I commend the NBA Lagos Branch for its efforts in advancing the interests of female lawyers. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, training sessions, and advocacy for gender equality are crucial in empowering female lawyers to reach their full potential. To further support female lawyers, I will seek to establish a women support committee to focus on addressing specific challenges faced by female lawyers, providing childcare and allied support services or resources that would help female lawyers to balance work and family responsibilities, thereby promoting flexible work arrangements. I would also seek to celebrate female achievers, as recognizing and celebrating the achievements of female lawyers can help inspire and motivate others, especially the younger, upcoming ones. By continuing to prioritize the interests of female lawyers, the NBA Lagos Branch can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members. We must continue to work together to promote gender equality and empower female lawyers to succeed.
Q: What about young lawyers? How would you address their concerns – and especially their quest for a greater role in the decision-making process at the level of the NBA Lagos Branch?
A: Young lawyers are the future of the legal profession and, as I have always said, the development of young lawyers is not just a moral obligation, but an imperative for the sustainability of our profession. I will seek to create a platform where young lawyers can express their concerns and ideas and establish feedback mechanisms that allow young lawyers to make input and suggestions. I will ensure that we listen to and acknowledge the concerns of young lawyers. I will increase their representation in the decision-making processes of the Branch as a way of building trust. We will delegate responsibilities to young lawyers and allow them to take ownership of projects and initiatives while giving them the autonomy to make bold moves, greater impact, and decisions and take actions within their designated roles.
Q: As already noted, you are the Principal Counsel at AZIH & AZIH Legal Practitioners. What unique attributes of your firm – in terms of its business model, work culture, its synergy with clients and other stakeholders etc – would you love to see replicated in the law ecosystem in general, and would apply yourself to the workings of the NBA Lagos Branch in particular?
A: At AZIH & AZIH Legal Practitioners, our mantra is DILGENCE + TRUST, which summarizes our offering to clients, our approach to service delivery, and client retention. My plan is to replicate these and more by entrenching a culture of diligence in service, transparency and efficiency in processes and service delivery, and mutual respect; and to build trust in the management of the affairs of the branch.
Q: I’m sure you will agree that our country, Nigeria, is currently at a critical crossroads in terms of her social, economic, and political fortunes. While some stakeholders have called for comprehensive reforms in key areas of legislation, others have called for a total overhaul of the polity. In what areas would you like to see these reforms carried out, and what role do you envisage for the Premier Branch of the NBA – in all these?
A: For me, Nigeria urgently needs reforms in key areas to revitalize its economy and improve the lives of its citizens. First in line would be economic reforms, trade policy reforms, investment reforms, tax system reforms (which are ongoing), and a review of land ownership laws and regulations that tend to hinder businesses. Again, we need structural reforms in terms of infrastructure such as transportation networks, energy systems, and telecommunications, which are crucial for supporting economic growth and attracting investment. Next is institutional reforms, which will enable the strengthening of institutions, such as the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies. This is essential for ensuring good governance, the rule of law, and a stable business environment. We need reforms in education and skills development. By investing in education and skills development programs, Nigeria can build a more competitive workforce and reduce poverty. Another critical area is healthcare reforms to help reduce mortality rates, increase productivity, and enhance the overall well-being of citizens. By implementing these urgent reforms, Nigeria can set itself on a path towards sustainable economic growth, social development, and prosperity for all its citizens. The Premier Bar will stand tall as a neutral and honest watchdog, confident in speaking truth to power, and to continually hold our leaders accountable to the people they serve.
Q: If there’s one thing you’d want to be remembered for at the end of your tenure as Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch, what would that be?
A: I would like to be remembered as the leader who helped to empower lawyers and who upheld the integrity of the legal profession by promoting ethics, standards, and professionalism.
NEWSWIRE: Thank you, Mr. Azih.
AZIH: Thank you, Newswire. It’s been my pleasure talking with you.
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Hon. Chief C.O.C Akaolisa gets justice". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
