Olaniwun Ajayi LP: Home where giants are made!

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude. ~Robert Brault

Steve Jobs is reputed to have said: "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of heart, you'll know when you find it." Indeed, truer words have never been spoken! Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi SAN, the Managing Partner of Olaniwun Ajayi LP equally once said: “Our work defines us.” How true!!

May I equally add that one ought to be grateful to have a workplace or working environment that keeps contributing to one’s success stories; for good gifts are often hard to come by and whilst the grass often seem greener on the other side (albeit not often true), being thankful for what one has, could actually help open the door for greater opportunities. For to whom much is given, much is expected and he who is faithful in little would definitely be a good master of plenty.

The above-mentioned quotes and even much more aptly capture my experience at Olaniwun Ajayi LP (OALP), a leading African law firm with a diversified and all-encompassing practice areas, one whose befitting nickname is simply primus inter pares (first among equals).

To say OALP is home away from home, is to say the least. One could not ask for a better atmosphere, where one is made to feel as being part of a very big happy working family as well as a market leader in the provision of legal services both in Africa and in different parts of the world.

Hence, given how special today, May Day is for workers in different parts of the world, being the only day internationally recognised as the International Workers' Day, I have chosen to celebrate some of the awesome people I have worked with at OALP. I readily admit that the amazing people I met at OALP have left their indelible marks not only on the solid sands of time, but also on the marble wall of my heart, and I cannot but remember always, their undying efforts in helping one unleash innate potentials and looking beyond present credentials.

I am minded to go down this route, having stumbled on the timeless words of Robert Breault brought to my attention by no other person, than my beloved brother, Onele Peter-Cole. According to Robert Breault:

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.

With the foregoing in mind, I shall proceed to extol the virtues daily lived by these amazing people who have touched my life in no mean way. Professionals who work with zeal and energy greater than labouring workmen.

However, before I embark on this voyage, kindly allow me to give a befitting introduction of the firm that has provided me the platform to explore the unlimited possibilities in the legal profession, nurtured me and honed my legal skills, which I now find very easy to deplore to the celebration of friends and the admiration of the entire world.

Sitting right at the very heart of Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, with her back to the Lagos Lagoon, in a building named after Mrs Adunola Ajayi, wife of the sage and the Founding Partner of Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi KJW (both now of blessed memory), one could not wish for a better working environment to work. The firm, initially founded as a sole practitionership on 2nd November 1962, barely two years after Nigeria’s independence from the Great Britain by Sir Olaniwun Ajayi KJW, has grown into one of the largest and open partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa.

From playing key roles in some of the country’s most complex and challenging transactions in energy, project finance, banking and finance, capital markets; to being described by IFLR 1000 as “clearly ahead of the field” and The Times of London as “No. 1 African firm, Global League for Project Finance,” whilst addressed by Chambers Global as “the first firm to come to mind for mega transactions,” one needs no soothsayer to come to the conclusion that OALP has indeed redefined Africa’s legal and commercial space.

Is it the beautiful view or scenery one sees every blessed day that makes life very beautiful and musical?

Is it the world class state-of-art law library that is one of the best in Africa? Knowing full well that a lawyer is only as good as the access to the resources he has? Is it the awesome mentoring one gets and receives, or the quality feedback given by Partners, Senior Associates and Associates alike and non alike that even make it feel like heaven on earth?

Is it the beautiful view or scenery one sees every blessed day that makes life very beautiful and musical?

Is it the understanding that a lawyer is as sound, productive and efficient as the access to the resources he has which informed the world class state-of-art law library?

Is it the learning opportunities available through the OALP Knowledge Exchange where lawyers are encouraged to keep writing, publishing, and sharpening their advocacy skills, as exemplified in the Friday office meetings, where giants are made, world class lawyers as well as legal experts are groomed, nurtured and have their advocacy skills sharpened, spontaneous thought-process fired-up and analytical minds ignited?

Is it the awesome mentoring one receives from all Partners or the quality feedback which extol one’s strengths and point out to one, what could be improved on from every Learned Senior Colleague (LSC)?

Is it the rare opportunity one has to learn at the feet of the Managing Partner, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi SAN, a Harvard and Cambridge trained Professor of Law and a living legend?

What about getting to know Mr Seye Opasanya SAN, the Deputy Managing Partner (a leading insolvency, banking and finance and as well as dispute resolution expert), who went all out in helping me achieve one of my age-long dreams and being fondly called by him ‘Jossy Baba’?

What about the nurturing and mentoring sessions with Dr. Khrushchev Ekwueme (Partner in charge of the Dispute Resolution Practice and a leading expert in international investment arbitration, international commercial arbitration, international law, energy law and dispute resolution)

What about Mr Wolemi Esan (Partner in charge of Power & Infrastructure) with his inspiring to “keep thinking outside the box," "keep pushing the envelope” and seeing the seemly impossible as possible, whilst exceeding clients’ expectations?

What about Mrs Yimika Philips (Partner in charge of the Enterprise Practice) with her heartfelt motherly advice on career progression and often taking time to ask after my well-being even when on leave?

What about Mr Tominyi Owolabi (Partner and a leading expert in project finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets regulatory services, oil and gas financing and asset acquisition), who often goes out of his way to provide mentoring sessions for young lawyers in the firm and unceasing encouragement in ensuring that I keep writing and publishing, whilst adding value to all?

I find it easy to recall the mentoring sessions with Mr. Ore Olajide (Partner in the firm’s dispute resolution practice; previously General Counsel of one of West Africa’s leading FMCG producers where he implemented system wide corporate governance policies, business ethics practices amongst others) and how he sustained my passion for review of recent Supreme Court decisions as well as underscoring to all, not necessarily by his words, but his daily living, the importance of knowledge exchange and the need for every lawyer to stay abreast of recent developments in laws, regulations and policies.

I cannot but also recall how Mrs Toyosi Alabi (Partner in the Firm's Entertainment, Leisure and Media Practice, and Intellectual Property Practice), who prepared me for the firm’s expectations of lawyers at the entry interview, the timely guidance she’s provided me ever since then and for being a great support in the unleashing of my potentials by cheering me on and often calling me the "ever relentless Joseph."

Mention must equally be made of Mr Edem Andah (Partner in charge of the firm’s tax practice group, supporting other practice groups in the firm, by providing strategic tax advisory services, tax risk management as well as legal and regulatory services to both domestic and international clients; previously Oil & Gas Tax Partner at Ernst & Young) a father-figure, mentor and thought-leader, who’s been greatly supportive and a great source of motivation.

What about the superlative training I received from Mrs Anu Balogun (previously Partner in the Banking, Finance and Capital Market and now Partner in Mergers, Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice)? I also recall vividly how Mrs Balogun checked on from time-to-time, to find out about my health, when I was a bit indisposed and had to take some days off to attend my health needs. The understanding displayed exemplifies the firm’s position that health is wealth and a healthy lawyer makes a healthy firm.

What about Mrs Yewande Senbore (Partner in the Firm’s Oil & Gas practice), who brought me on board the highly experienced and seasoned Oil and Gas Practice team to help with some cutting-edge legal opinion and researches on some recondite legal issues in the oil and gas industry?

I also have Mrs Ibi Ogunbiyi (Partner and a leading expert in Power and Infrastructure legal advisory services) to thank for always extolling the virtues that should identify an OALP lawyer, underscoring why we need to maintain distinction in all things as well as strive for excellence in all our undertakings.

What about Mr Bisi Makanjuola (Head of Department, Dispute Resolution Practice) who allowed me to come up with the first draft of a legal opinion even as “new wig,” gave great feedback on the court processes and allowed me to argue my first case at the Federal High Court, which resulted in a dismissal in favour of one of our major clients and boosted my confidence in my advocacy skills?

My list would be inconclusive without the mention of other great seniors and colleagues, who inspired me to dream bigger, keeping aiming for the moon, and exceeding my own expectations. Admittedly, I could not include everyone’s name for the fear of boring my esteemed readers.

I would be right to say that everyone I have met at OALP has a drive for excellence. I may equally be right to say that the only bad habit everyone in the firm has is that we all never lower the standards, keep exceeding expectations and delivering great results in whatever we do.

I came to OALP to learn and earn, for wisdom and work, but I got more than I bargained for. Not only have I met friends and made life-time acquaintances, I have ultimately found a family; for family is not just blood, but also include those who you love and love you in return.

Happy Workers’ Day!

2023: Sadly, Dr. KUK Ekwueme passed on in the last quarter of 2022 and I wrote a glowing tribute while he was still here with us and another on his demise. He left behind a loving family as well as loved ones. Pray God comfort them all.