Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN)

Dr. Agbakoba is the Senior Partner and Head of the Arbitration & ADR practice group in Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL). He is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (the equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

Dr. Agbakoba is one of Nigeria’s leading experts in arbitration and has presided over several complex cases. He is the brain behind the first law firm-annexed arbitration/mediation center in Lagos (Nigeria), the OAL Arbitration and Mediation Centre. He has showcased his brilliance as counsel and as arbitrator in major national and cross-border disputes relating to aviation (airport terminal concessions); vessel charters; maritime collisions; oil wells and rigs; telecoms; and housing development and construction.

He has championed many legal reforms in arbitration in Nigeria, including a national policy on arbitration and other strategic legislations. He designed the ADR mechanism and rules for asset management and recovery of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria.

Dr. Agbakoba is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (2006-2008). In 1987 he founded the Civil Liberties Organization and served as president until 1995. He is a fellow and vice president of the Nigeria Institute of Chartered Arbitrators; legal adviser to the Institute of Chartered Mediators; Conciliators; life member of the Body of Benchers; and member of the African Arbitration Association and of its advocacy committee, which works to increase the visibility of African arbitrators. He is also a member of the London Maritime Arbitrators

Areas of Specialization

• Dispute Resolution & ADR
• Maritime Law
• Public Interest Law
• International Trade & Investment
• Public Sector Policy
• Debt Recovery, and Insolvency
• Human Rights.

Professional Memberships:

• National Committee On The Review Of Laws Relating Financial Services Industry
• Business Recovery & Insolvency Practitioners Association Of Nigeria
• Nigeria Bar Association
• International Bar Association
• African Arbitrators Network
• Nigerian Society Of International Law
• Council Of Continuing Legal Education
• Presidential Committee On Electoral Reform
• Governing Council Of The Nigerian Institute Of Advanced Legal Studies
• Presidential Commission On Maritime Sector Reform
• International Airline Passengers Association
• Governing Council; Nigerian-Netherlands Chamber Of Commerce
• Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association
• Nigerian Maritime Law Society,
• Body Of Benchers, Board Of Trustees,
• International Center For The Protection Of Cultural Diversity And Human Rights In Africa
• Human Rights Institute
• Institute Of Shipping & Freight Management
• Association Of British Council Fellows
• Negotiation & Conflict Management G

Professional Affiliations:

• Senior Advocate Of Nigeria (San)
• Doctor Of Laws (Lld), University Of Nigeria, Nsukka
• Doctor Of Philosophy Degree In Leadership, Social, And Community Development
• Fellow Chartered Institute Of Arbitrators (Fciarb)
• Fellow, Chartered Institute Of Mediators
• Fellow, Institute Of Credit Administration
• Life Member, Body Of Bencher
• Member, National Judicial Commission (Njc)
• Institute Of Humanitarian And Human Rights Law, Nigeria
• International Press Centre
• Nigerian Economic Summit Group
• Negotiation & Conflict Management Group.