UCHENNA OGUNEDO AKINGBADE – Towards a Purposeful, Inclusive, and Impactful Bar

Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade is a Founding Partner at Sunesis DLP and a seasoned legal practitioner with expertise in dispute resolution, commercial law, and real estate law. She is a Notary Public of Nigeria, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), an LMDC-certified mediator, and an Associate Member of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN).

An alumna of the University of Jos, the University of Birmingham, and Lagos Business School, Uchenna began her legal career at Chief Solo Akuma, SAN & Associates, Abuja, and thereafter had a stint at Adetunji Shoyoye & Associates, Lagos. She later founded Distinguished Legal Practitioners, and in January 2024, she embraced a partnership and co-founded Sunesis DLP. Beyond her legal practice, Uchenna has extensive experience in project management, particularly within the telecommunications sector across Nigeria.

Uchenna sits on the boards of several private companies and NGOs and remains deeply committed to service, leadership, and community impact. She champions various social impact initiatives, particularly in education and the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals, pro bono criminal defense, and human rights advocacy. She is a passionate advocate for nation-building and continues to inspire through her multidimensional engagements.

Within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade serves as a Co-opted Executive Committee Member and Liaison Officer to the In-House and Government Counsel Forum. She has held leadership roles in the Law Week Planning Committee, Human Rights Committee, and BRIPAN Training Committee, among others. Her service and leadership also extends to the NBA-SBL, FIDA Epe Branch, NBA Women Forum Lagos, the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), and the British-Nigeria Law Forum.

A strategic leader, passionate mentor, and advocate for justice and diversity, Uchenna is deeply committed to building capacity, promoting community impact, and advancing professional excellence. She is married to a businessman from Osun State who shares her passion for multidisciplinary projects. Together, they are blessed with two sons.

Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade is a candidate for the Chairmanship of the NBA Lagos Branch in the forthcoming elections scheduled for June 2025. In this interview with Newswire Law Events Magazine, she shares her motivations for seeking the top job at the Premier Bar — and her vision for its future.

Excerpts:

NEWSWIRE: Give us a brief overview of your background, early education, and why you decided to become a lawyer.

AKINGBADE: I am the third of five children born to Major-General (Rtd.) Augustine Ogunedo and Chief Mrs. Delphine Ogunedo. I was born and raised in a close-knit family and the disciplined environment of the army barracks in Jos, Plateau State. My parents instilled in all of us enduring values of unity, integrity, courage, and service. Though my father’s military service often took him away from home, his discipline, leadership, and sense of duty left an indelible mark on me. My mother, who was the steady presence at home, reinforced these values daily through her unwavering strength, compassion, and commitment to our growth. Together, they shaped the foundation of who I am. Life in the barracks exposed me to the beauty of diversity — people from every tribe, religion, and background living together in harmony. This early experience deeply shaped my inclusive spirit and respect for others, traits that continue to guide me both personally and professionally.

I attended Command Children’s School, Jos, for my primary education and later, St. Louis College, a Catholic all-girls secondary school where my Christian identity and sense of discipline were further strengthened.

It was during a career day in JSS 3 that my path became clear. A female judge visited and addressed us about her profession, how every day she dispensed justice and preserved order in society. She shared her experience with such grace and conviction that I was completely captivated. In that moment, I saw a reflection of the kind of impact I wanted to make. In fact, I often say I wanted to be a judge even before I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. That single encounter — a moment of mentorship — left an imprint on me that continues to affirm the power of exposure, guidance, and purposeful interaction.

 Q: Why do you want to be the next Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch? What makes you different from your rivals in this election? What attributes, experience, expertise, etc., are you bringing to the table? 

A: I want to be the next Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch because I am deeply passionate about our profession and committed to service that drives real impact. This role presents an opportunity to build a purposeful, more inclusive, and impactful Bar — one that meets the evolving needs of its members while remaining anchored in integrity, professionalism, and community. I bring a multifaceted perspective — rooted in discipline, unity, and a legal career that spans private practice, Service to the Bar, policy engagement, and social impact. I offer a blend of vision, innovation, managerial competence, and a strong collaborative ethos — honed through years of leading initiatives that empower citizens, lawyers and strengthen institutions. What sets me apart is my track record of result-oriented leadership and a unique ability to bridge generations, sectors, and interests within the Bar. I understand the nuances of both the older and younger demographics, as well as the realities of private, in-house, and government practitioners. I am committed to fostering a Bar where all voices are heard and valued. As a co-founder of Sunesis DLP and a co-opted member of the current NBA Lagos Executive Committee, I bring not just ideas, but the clarity, structure, and experience to execute them — as well as a proven capacity to mobilize communities for meaningful change.

 Q: What will be your major priorities as NBA Lagos Branch Chairman – in the short, medium and long term? 

A: Short Term:

My immediate priority will be to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. This includes evaluating the existing committees of the Branch, in collaboration with members of the Executive Committee and other leaders of the Bar, to determine whether there is a need to restructure — by collapsing, merging, or creating new committees — in order to foster greater efficiency and inclusivity. Following this, I will (re)appoint the right individuals into key committees and ensure that the said committees are operational within a short time. I will also focus on reviving relevant initiatives that have become dormant and launching immediate-impact projects, particularly through collaborations with affiliate organizations. These initiatives will target capacity building, lawyers’ welfare, and inclusivity. In parallel, we will commence early engagements with key public and private sector stakeholders to lay the groundwork for broader initiatives.

Medium Term:

We will strengthen the Branch’s capacity-building and mentorship structures by revamping our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) approach and adopting more sustainable and inclusive training formats. We also plan to roll out initiatives such as practice management trainings, secondment programs, and access-to-finance opportunities. Alongside these, we will pursue advocacy for improved conditions of service for magistrates, support more efficient electronic filing systems and priority filing procedures, and also enhance inter-branch collaboration. Strengthening NBA Lagos’ presence and influence at the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) will also be a key priority.

Long Term:

Our long-term focus will be on institutionalizing systems that ensure continuity of vision and sustainable impact beyond electoral cycles. We will work toward the completion of the NBA Lagos Bar Centre and position the Branch as a leading voice in national conversations around justice, the rule of law, and good governance. We also aim to deepen the Branch’s influence within the NBA Executive Council and other national platforms, helping to shape the future of the legal profession in Nigeria.

Q: The welfare of lawyers is still a front-burner issue. What will the NBA Lagos Branch do under your watch to enhance the welfare of lawyers? 

A: Lawyers’ welfare must be approached holistically — encompassing fair remuneration, professional development, mental well-being, career guidance, and practice sustainability. Under my leadership, the NBA Lagos Branch will collaborate closely with the NBA National to ensure effective implementation of the remuneration order. We will reactivate the NBA Lagos Cooperative which will hopefully cater to the land scheme, and house other welfare-enhancing programs such as access-to-finance, under a unified structure. We will also engage the Lagos State House of Assembly to advocate for legislative reforms that prohibit non-lawyers from unlawfully charging legal fees. In cases where members require professional support or intervention, the Branch will respond with empathy in line with laid down systems.

While lawyers’ welfare formally falls under the purview of the Welfare Committee and the Welfare Secretary, I will work closely with the Welfare Secretary to ensure that welfare initiatives receive the full support and visibility they need to succeed. Above all, we will continue to promote wellness, community, and camaraderie — because thriving lawyers build a thriving Bar.

Q: If you’re elected, what policies would you be continuing from the current Chairman, even as you pursue your own priorities? 

As a co-opted member of the current Executive Committee, I have been directly involved in the decisions and direction of this administration. Exco functions as a collective, thus I have participated in shaping many of the initiatives that define this tenure. That perspective gives me both insight and continuity.

The current Chairman has made commendable strides in elevating the standards of the NBA Lagos Branch — from the quality of our engagements and events to our impact on members’ lives. If elected, I intend to sustain and build on these gains.

Notably, I will continue with the Premier Bar League, a unifying initiative that has fostered camaraderie and collaboration among members. I will also continue the In-House and Government Counsel Forum Mentorship, Roundtable & Networking Event, which has created a meaningful platform for professional guidance and connection. The Young Lawyers’ Summit (YLF Summit) and Welfare Day are also impactful initiatives that, in my view, should become permanent features of our Branch calendar.

In terms of resolutions, I support the Branch’s recent policy on dress code. I also remain firmly committed to advancing and hopefully, fully executing the ongoing plans for the actualization of the NBA Lagos Bar Centre.

These are just a few examples. As one who has worked closely with the current administration, I believe in continuity with improvement — sustaining the initiatives that are working, refining where needed, and building on this strong foundation to deliver even greater impact.

Q: Is the NBA Lagos Branch carrying out its rule of law mandate adequately? What more can be done? 

A: The NBA Lagos Branch has made commendable strides in promoting the rule of law — particularly through the impactful work of its Human Rights Committee. Regular PDSS visits, prompt interventions in rights violations, and the pro bono efforts of our members speak to our active commitment to justice. Internally, the Branch continues to reflect the very values it advocates: fairness, transparency, and inclusion.

That said, we must go further. At a time when the nation faces mounting rule of law challenges, NBA Lagos must take a bolder and more consistent stance on issues of justice, governance, and public accountability. We must position the Branch as a leading voice on public interest matters — not just reacting to crises, but proactively shaping the national conversation. This includes deeper legislative monitoring, increased policy engagement, establishing rapid-response legal advocacy teams, issuing timely position statements, and working closely with civil society, the media, and other stakeholders to defend rights and uphold democratic values. Under my leadership, these principles will not only be upheld — they will be strengthened — ensuring that NBA Lagos remains a principled, proactive, and respected force in the national legal landscape.

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: This is an issue I am particularly passionate about. As the current Liaison Officer to the In-House and Government Counsel Forum, I am closely exposed to this divide — I see the gaps, the challenges, and the sense of detachment felt by many commercial, in-house, and government counsel within the Bar. Recently, we hosted a successful 3-in-1 event — a Mentoring, Roundtable, and Networking Session — designed specifically to bridge this gap. By fostering mentorship and open dialogue across sectors, we helped practitioners understand the unique nuances of in-house and government Counsel and build stronger professional connections. A communique from that event has since been submitted for presentation at NEC, and I intend to actively push for the implementation of its recommendations.

Beyond that, I plan to establish targeted initiatives and platforms that appeal specifically to commercial and in-house lawyers — creating spaces where they feel represented, heard, and eager to participate. These efforts will be backed by inclusive programming, policy input opportunities, and deliberate representation in Branch activities and leadership.

Under my leadership, NBA Lagos will be intentional about representing all voices — litigation, commercial, in-house, government, and non-profit. This means creating dedicated platforms, inclusive decision-making structures, and tailored programming that speaks to the diverse realities of our members. The Bar must reflect the full spectrum of legal practice, not just a subset. My commitment is to build a truly inclusive Branch where every practitioner sees themselves, is heard, and is valued.

 Q: How will the NBA Lagos Branch under your leadership work to advance the interests of female lawyers? 

As a woman in law, I understand both the visible and subtle challenges that female lawyers continue to face — most especially the constant pursuit of work-life balance.

Under my leadership, the NBA Lagos Branch will be intentional about ensuring that women are actively included in key decision-making structures and given the visibility and support they need to rise. I will work to ensure gender parity in the composition of committees and in appointments or nominations where the Branch is required to send representatives.

Mentorship will be a core focus — particularly women-to-women mentoring — to connect female lawyers with those who have walked the path before them and can offer practical insight, encouragement, and direction. It’s important that our female colleagues not only feel seen but are supported in ways that make success achievable and sustainable.

Beyond representation and support, I believe in celebration and community. Under my leadership, the Branch will mark International Women’s Day with a dedicated physical gathering — a space for women to revel in who they are, learn from mentors, and draw strength from one another. This will be part of a broader, sustained effort to weave the interests of female lawyers into the fabric of our Branch’s culture, programming, and progress.

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? 

Young lawyers are not just the future of the profession — they are a vital part of its present. I believe it is not enough to speak for young lawyers; we must create meaningful avenues for them to speak for themselves and actively shape the direction of the Bar.

Under my leadership, therefore, the NBA Lagos Branch will be deliberate about integrating young lawyers into the Branch’s decision-making processes — through representation on all committees, mentorship tracks that lead to leadership, and more inclusive policy conversations. We will also strengthen established systems i.e. the Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF), to ensure that it functions not just as a social or developmental wing but as an influential voice within the Branch. In addition, we will expand training opportunities in emerging areas of law and create platforms for young lawyers to gain visibility, grow networks, and build sustainable careers.

Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that young lawyers feel seen, heard, and empowered — and that the NBA Lagos Branch becomes a place where they can thrive and lead.

Q: You’re a Partner with Sunesis DLP. What unique attributes of your law firm — in terms of its business model, work culture, client engagement, or use of technology — would you love to see replicated in the law ecosystem, and applied to the workings of the NBA Lagos Branch, if elected Chairman? 

A: At Sunesis DLP, we are building a firm that thrives on ethics, innovation, excellence, and purpose-driven practice. These are qualities I would love to see mirrored more broadly across the legal profession — and certainly within the NBA Lagos Branch. Our business model emphasizes efficiency, clarity of roles, and sustainability — principles that I believe should drive how the Branch is administered. We also take pride in maintaining a work culture that promotes open communication, empathy, and empowerment — values that foster trust, teamwork, and a sense of shared mission. We engage our clients with integrity, responsiveness, and strategic thinking — attributes I consider essential in how the Branch relates to its members and stakeholders. We also embrace technology in everything from client service to internal management, and I would like to see NBA Lagos leverage tech more intentionally — to streamline processes, improve member experience, and enhance impact.

In all, I believe leadership is about building systems that work, relationships that thrive, and a culture that empowers. That is the Sunesis DLP ethos — and it’s what I intend to bring to the Premier Bar.

Q: Nigeria is at a critical juncture socially, economically, and politically. What reforms would you like to see, and what role should the NBA Lagos Branch play? 

A: Indeed, Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads. The call for reforms — whether incremental or wholesale — is not just valid, but urgent. As lawyers and as citizens, we must be front liners in shaping the kind of society we wish to live in.

Key areas requiring immediate reform include justice sector administration, electoral integrity, policing and security, constitutional restructuring, and the protection of civic freedoms. We must also look critically at economic policies that impact access to justice, business, and livelihoods — particularly for marginalized communities.

The NBA Lagos Branch, as the Premier Bar, must move beyond commentary to structured advocacy. We must take a leadership role in legislative and policy monitoring, offer well-researched position papers, and collaborate with stakeholders to advance reforms that are not only constitutional but equitable and people-centered.

Under my leadership, the Branch will prioritize sustained policy engagement, through expert roundtables, public interest litigation, and partnerships with civil society and academia among others. Our duty is not only to the legal profession, but to the future of our democracy — and I believe NBA Lagos is well placed to lead that charge.

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 Chairman who brought the Bar closer to its members — who made NBA Lagos more inclusive, responsive, and impactful. One who listened, engaged, and delivered.

If, at the end of my tenure, members can say that they felt seen, heard, and empowered — that their voices mattered, that structures worked better, that collaboration was stronger, and that their professional lives were positively transformed — then I would have done what I set out to do.

I want to be remembered as a bridge-builder, a systems reformer, and a servant-leader who helped reposition the Premier Bar as the most vibrant and people-centered Branch of the NBA.

NEWSWIRE: Thank you, Mrs. Akingbade

AKINGBADE: Thank you for the opportunity.