The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has confirmed that respected legal luminary, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, will be among the distinguished speakers at the highly anticipated NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) 2025. He is billed to speak on the topic, “A Peep into the Future,” a session designed to provide forward-looking insights into the evolving landscape of the legal profession.
The conference, themed “Stand Out, Stand Tall,” is expected to gather thousands of lawyers, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the country and beyond, fostering robust discussions on innovation, professional excellence, and the future of law in a rapidly changing world.
Akangbe’s participation is seen as a major highlight of the event, given his track record of thought leadership, advocacy for ethical practice, and contributions to legal reforms.
His address is expected to challenge attendees to think beyond the present, embrace emerging trends, and position themselves strategically for the demands of the future. With the NBA-AGC serving as the premier gathering of legal minds in Nigeria, his session promises to spark meaningful dialogue and inspire actionable strategies for lawyers seeking to stay ahead in a competitive and dynamic profession.
Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, is a highly respected legal practitioner, distinguished for his strategic expertise in dispute resolution, tax litigation, capital markets, public law, and corporate law.
As the Managing Partner of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore, he leads the firm’s Dispute Resolution practice, advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government entities on complex and high-stakes legal matters.
Prior to being called to the Nigerian Bar, he earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wolverhampton, a Master’s degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Westminster, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Wales, UK.
With a career spanning over two decades, Mr. Akangbe is renowned for providing innovative solutions in novel and intricate areas of law, particularly in commercial litigation, constitutional and public law, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
He has successfully represented international clients in cross-border tax disputes, regulatory compliance matters, and high-value corporate transactions.
His exceptional work in tax law earned him a key role as a former Africa Membership Officer of the International Bar Association’s Taxes Committee, where he champions African interests in global tax discussions.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Akangbe’s contributions to the legal profession extend to leadership roles within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He served as Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch (2019–2021) and was a former Chairman of the NBA Finance Committee.
He is also a member of the NBA National Executive Council (NEC). His involvement in shaping policy and governance within the legal community underscores his influence and commitment to legal excellence, even on an international level, as he is a member of the IBA Anti-corruption Committee for Africa.
A dedicated arbitrator, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (FCIArb) and a former Vice Chairman of the Training & Development Sub-Committee of CIArb (UK), Nigeria Branch. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch.
Mr. Akangbe is also an approved tutor for CIArb fellowship training programs, helping to shape the next generation of arbitration professionals. He is also the former Chairman, Young Members Group, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch (2008–2014).
Beyond his dispute resolution and advisory expertise, Mr. Akangbe has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s financial and capital markets, leading legal teams on transactions valued in the billions of Naira. His deep knowledge of insolvency, business recovery, and financial regulation makes him a trusted advisor in restructuring and corporate governance matters. He is currently a member of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN).
Mr. Akangbe has been a strong advocate for the entrenchment and preservation of human rights, consistently working towards ensuring the protection of fundamental rights, particularly child and women’s rights. He is passionate about combating gender-based violence and abuse.
Lateef handles numerous pro bono cases in the area of child and women’s rights. He also handles criminal cases for indigent persons, dedicating his time and expertise to securing justice for the oppressed and vulnerable members of society.
