The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Baba Alokolaro, has pledged to modernise business law practice in Nigeria and align transaction standards with global developments in technology and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
Alokolaro, Managing Partner of The New Practice (TNP), was sworn in as the 10th Chairman of the NBA-SBL on August 27, 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.
He succeeds Mrs Ozofu ‘Latunde Ogiemudia ‘, under whom he served as Vice Chairman for two years, and will lead the section for the 2026–2028 term.
Established in 2004 under its pioneer Chairman, George Etomi, the NBA-SBL provides a platform for business law policy, professional development and engagement among members of the legal profession, government, regulators and the private sector.
Speaking on his priorities, Alokolaro said the section would sustain its efforts to modernise business law practice while equipping younger lawyers to meet the evolving demands of the profession.
“Nigerian business law is at an inflexion point, and the SBL continues to focus on the real work ahead of it,” he said.
“My priority over the next two years is to continue our efforts in modernising how we practise business law, bringing our transaction standards and engagement with technology and ESG in line with where global business law is heading, while making sure the shift brings our next generation of lawyers coming into this space along with it, not just the practitioners already established in it.”
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Alokolaro also pledged to strengthen the NBA-SBL’s influence on investment and regulatory matters in the region.
“Beyond that, I want the NBA-SBL’s voice to continue to carry real weight in how the region thinks about investment and regulatory landscape,” he said.
“So when businesses and investors look at Nigeria, what they will see reflects the seriousness and sophistication of how we actually practise here. That is the NBA-SBL standard and one I am holding myself to.”
At TNP, Alokolaro heads the Corporate Finance and Business Advisory Groups, in addition to serving as Managing Partner. He previously served as Head of the Corporate Commercial Africa Service Line at Andersen Global, where TNP is a collaborating firm.
He earned his LL.B from the University of Warwick in 1997 and an LL.M from the University of East Anglia in 1998 before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001.
Between 2007 and 2011, he served as General Counsel to the Lagos State Governor, where he advised on policy, strategic investments, infrastructure development, asset optimisation and concession arrangements.
His practice areas include finance, capital markets, infrastructure, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. He has advised clients across the power, transportation, manufacturing, financial services, and technology, media and telecommunications sectors.
Alokolaro is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
He takes over the NBA-SBL leadership from Ogiemudia, becoming the latest in a succession of prominent chairmen that includes George Etomi, Mfon Usoro, Gbenga Oyebode, Asue Ighodalo, Olumide Akpata, Seni Adio, Ayuli Jemide and Adeoye Adefulu.
