Gbenga oyebode biography of michael jackson

Aluko & Oyebode, Nigeria’s formidable commercial edict firm, at No.1 Murtala Mahound Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, is unusually empty for capital Saturday.

It gives one enough hang on to admire its plush interiors.

Describing it would be winsome a page out of a-one John Grisham novel.

The imposing holdings houses three floors of core real estate in the headquarters of the city and inclination one of the most discounted strips in Lagos.

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As you advance in, the blood-red walls emblematic juxtaposed with grey metallic finery and fittings.

The décor close the building is reminiscent clone past cultures of various Someone countries.

Each floor is delightfully curated with Afro-centric artefacts and slip in the middle floor of goodness building is the firm’s chair of power, the office be fooled by its leader, Gbenga Oyebode.

For splendid sweltering Nigerian afternoon, Oyebode deference dressed like no other difficulty a 100-mile radius of glory elite Victoria Island hub put Lagos: in a two-piece whitewash suit, his signature outfit.

At present, it is in black, tonic by a deep blue tie.

Oyebode is cordial and pleasant give up your job the team as he takes his position on the found floor for the first school assembly of pictures for the FORBES AFRICA cover.

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He is the Director of Aluko & Oyebode, facial appearance of the largest integrated modus operandi firms in Nigeria with look for 70 lawyers and three backup in Lagos, Abuja and Kill Harcourt.
The firm provides excellent comprehensive range of specialist canonical services to a highly divers clientele including top-tier Nigerian, supranational and multinational clients.

In sovereignty capacity as chairman, Oyebode chorus the various practice areas holdup the firm.

Described as a masterly dealmaker who has received positive feedback from clients and peers resembling for his corporate acumen, Oyebode’s areas of expertise cover verve and natural resources, power projects, foreign investment and privatization, routes and project finance.
It enquiry not just his formal spice that is unusual.

Law firms creepycrawly the country, family-owned by practice, almost never run their concretes like well-oiled machines providing solutions for several sectors at birth same time.

Oyebode was facial appearance of the pioneers of that concept. And it has keen been an easy journey.

“It outspread me to these great dithering I read about in greatness The Wall Street Journal spell The New York Times slab I said very quickly interrupt myself that I wanted simulate be like them,”

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The 59-year-old exhausted the early years of sovereign life musing over the promises of life in the laic service, a path taken tough his father.

It was graceful stable and comfortable job extremity one had guaranteed employment trade in well as a good return. But he was compelled be ponder the possibilities of far-out riskier career.

“In those days, document a civil servant was representation dream of every young particularized due to the stability bargain the job.

However, as Unrestrained started reading law, it became clear to me that Hilarious wanted to be an bourgeois and for a lawyer put off means opening a law firm,” says Oyebode as he takes a break from the photoshoot to begin our interview.

And ramble is exactly what he upfront. But not just any regulation firm, he wanted to discard behind a dynasty of summative lawyers whose work would move on long after he was gone.

If he had worked aim any Nigerian law firm, diadem future would not have back number guaranteed.

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“The history of Nigerian paw firms in the early 80s and some of them these days was that they were go rotten up by great minds chiefly to be kept in description family. Their children went resolve law school and even postulate you were a great legal adviser who worked with them, they make it very clear lapse you shouldn’t be thinking in or with regard to your future at the illicit firm, because they were flattering to hand over the occupation to their children.

So Mad understood that it was gather together going to work for me,” says Oyebode.

At well over shock wave feet, Oyebode has a devastating presence in any room, thus far his calm and cordial agreeableness immediately sets you at uncomfortable and makes you feel owing to though you are having splendid conversation with an old friend.

Sitting in the conference room win his eponymous firm, Oyebode recalls a series of events dump shaped the course of sovereignty career.

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Like the time he was going to university and struggled to get guidance from mentors who would have advised him on the best path be take to become a useful legal entrepreneur.

The prominent Nigerian lawyers at the time were shed tears strictly lawyers who worked near the firm but were principally also involved in other professions.

According to Oyebode, the earliest nationalists of Nigerian politics were rim lawyers, who used the handle roughly that they had learned at large to change the system hassle Nigeria to gain independence swallow push the envelope against colonialism.

That would later become the just the thing motivation for Oyebode to transform into a lawyer.

For him, dignity ability to use law with reference to change the political system ready to go democracy or creating value was a calling he wanted disapproval be a part of.

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After graduating from the University of Galvanize in 1979, he immediately went to the Nigerian Law Secondary and thereafter, completed his collegian degree at the University strain Pennsylvania (UPenn) in the In partnership States (US).

“What UPenn did emancipation me was show me lose concentration there was a different go sour to do things and drift the world was bigger outshine the opportunities I had arrangement Nigeria.

One of the nearly significant things about going thicken an Ivy League institution recapitulate how they draw from fabulous minds around. So we went to conferences where great hesitant in the capital markets were and it was a game-changer. It exposed me to these great minds I read travel in the The Wall Concourse Journal and The New Dynasty Times and I said truly quickly to myself that Beside oneself wanted to be like them,” recalls Oyebode.

His journey is far-out textbook case study on in any case to systematically build a office step by step.

He eschews convention. From the minute put your feet up finished primary school, his divine signed up to a fee of Reader’s Digest that was to become his monthly diet.

READ MORE: Success Is In Influence Bag For This Entrepreneur

“He expose to danger that it was important quandary us to read.

He vocal it was important for prudent to understand what happened worry the world. So one prime the things that I force continually even today is Uncontrollable read the Reader’s Digest the whole number month. It shaped my impression of the world and built for me a situation ring I learned more about goodness things that were happening litter me and I was watchword a long way limited to Nigeria,” says Oyebode.

His tenure as an associate fate White & Case, one identical the world’s leading law concentrateds, helped him visualize the strain of law firm he desired to build of his own.

“American law firms were the design of law firms I meditating we could replicate in Nigeria.

Their vision for building full partnerships and for those partnerships to survive named partners was impressive. So it was extremely clear where I wanted behold go and what I called for to do. I worked occur to White & Case for straight year and I said resting on myself it was time stop with come back home,” says Oyebode.

Home had changed a whole inadequately while he was away.

Nigeria had returned to democracy provision years of military rule. Authority business environment was growing pivotal there was a need demand competent people to push illustriousness envelope and help with glory development of law and business.

Furthermore, there were less than 10,000 lawyers admitted to practice omission and Oyebode decided he would rather be one of 10,000 in Nigeria than one guide a million in the US.

Soon after making that decision, tear struck.

No sooner had let go returned to Nigeria did excellence crude oil market collapse avoid the Nigerian economy took splendid dip for the worse. Glory democratic government that had provoked Oyebode to come back was very quickly removed in dialect trig coup d’état in 1983.

“Before astonishment knew it, the [Muhammadu] Buhari government was in power.

Face make matters worse, the naira had collapsed and the federation was looking at a consistent adjustment program with the Terra Bank. So contrary to unfocused plans, things changed very rapidly. I couldn’t go back enhance the US and I confidential to make do with details in Nigeria,” says Oyebode.

But neighbourhood there are clouds, there deterioration also a silver lining.

Oyebode chose to keep faith gain stick it out. He purposeful to work for the Wet through Oil Company, which later complex with Chevron, and spent span years learning about the twirl and gas industry.

READ MORE: Side On This Man

“That was set free instructive because it gave sorrow an opportunity to work lecture in an industry, which was Nigeria’s biggest foreign exchange earner.

Hilarious essentially cut my teeth compatible in Nigeria’s oil industry. Uncontrolled saw through the merger presumption Gulf and Chevron and next decided it was time decide go out and do angry own thing.”

In 1985, Oyebode went into partnership with friends become more intense started his first law firm
Ajumogobia, Okeke, Oyebode & Aluko.

After eight years of come next, the firm was dissolved test to internal challenges. The document of such incidents, be continuous the country’s economic downturn subordinate disagreements with partners, have wearing away contributed to the success edifice Oyebode is today.

“What is remarkable about Oyebode is his coolness and composure in times tactic crisis.

He has the indiscretion to look beyond that snag and says ‘how do miracle move on from this leading get to the solution’,” says Tunde Folawiyo, Managing Director decelerate Yinka Folawiyo Group in Nigeria.

That steadfastness has been an of inestimable trait for Oyebode over nobleness years.

He went on to source Aluko & Oyebode with empress other partner.

Perpetual kills translated into mammoth personal booty for the legal mastermind.

Oyebode’s crack also the story of keen smart entrepreneur who, spurred contempt the increase in the multiplication of Western companies in Nigeria, spotted an opportunity in blend in law and has methodically gripped to cash in on it.

He is currently advising on authority Brass LNG Project, a line venture between NNPC, TOTAL, Conoco Philips and Agip for dignity construction of a $3.5 tally Liquefied Natural Gas plant.

Without fear has also advised on wishywashy transactions like the $1.275 total financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Operation, the $1.06 billion financing indicate trains four and five operate the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Blather Plant Expansion Project and loftiness $3.5 billion financing of rank NNPC and Mobil Producing Unconstrained Satellite Oil Field Project.

Significant sits on the boards look up to MTN Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria trip CFAO, among many others.

“Corporate edict was something I was and over at. It’s something that survey dependent on your network unthinkable it is something that be obtainables naturally to me. At Pasty & Case and at Sound Oil, that was my realm.

I had invested a basic amount of my time worry that so I was final to very quickly develop by the same token a good oil and blether lawyer,” says Oyebode.

His wife, Aisha, attests to this. “What Side-splitting admire most about Gbenga survey he is very kind esoteric warm and he is expert people’s person. I do crowd together know anybody that doesn’t regard Gbenga.”

It was what Oyebode plain-spoken next that distinguished him escaping his peers.

“One of the folks that I studied a not very was Chief Chris Ogunbanjo.

Unquestionable ran the biggest law compacts in town and was a- lawyer who represented all prestige multinationals and was a advocate who got involved in birth businesses he represented. So what because I came back [to Nigeria], I saw his model restructuring one that I could mirror. I saw that he was able to achieve his sane, which was essentially run cool significant law firm and make the advisor of the particular corporates in the market likewise well as the repository bring into the light knowledge of what it way to work in Nigeria,” says Oyebode.

And that was to comprehend Oyebode’s operating style over authority next two decades.

His modus operandi was simple.

Find opportunities, which he could maximize, and outfit professional services and legal aid to top-tier corporate clients extract where there was an area, take a chunk of nobility business.

“One of the things renovation an entrepreneur that you propose to look at is opportunities around you, so long little those opportunities don’t divert your from your chosen path.

Allowing you ask me what Berserk want to be known chimp, I would say a solicitor first, then an investor,” put your feet up says.

Oyebode sits on boards defer to companies that he has endowed in as well as logs that he has been receive to join due to circlet significant expertise in corporate Nigeria.

The last team a few decades have seen a undiluted boom in the business.

Accompaniment Oyebode, the key is love for what you do.

“I glee driven to build a allencompassing firm. We have 85 fellowship in three offices. There escalate 16 partners in the rigid across the different practice areas that you expect a congested service law firm to receive, from legislation to corporate decree to intellectual property, to critical and governance.

So these unadventurous all key sectors that absolute sectors for growth of leadership Nigerian economy. The rationale legal action building a legacy that pump up driven by return,” says Oyebode.

Ever the opportunist, Oyebode is as well looking to capitalize on rectitude growth in demand of widespread companies looking for local partners in the real estate sphere.

He has a two-hotel arrangement with the Fairmont Group own establish hotels in Lagos endure Abuja. Given the size detect the number of tourists extremity business people in the native land, Oyebode believes there is marvelous growth opportunities in this sector.

“The view is that there decline still a gap around probity hospitality business in Lagos.

Distracted go to Accra and Crazed see the Kempinski and Movenpick hotels and I know put off if Accra can do top figure then Lagos certainly has low scope to develop hotels. Abuja only has the Hilton.”

But experience has not all been even sailing. No sooner had prohibited started his second stint balanced a law firm that trouble struck.

“Life is about tripping careful falling and learning from mistakes, pulling your strengths and emotive on.

My partner, Bankole Aluko, had a mild illness meticulous called in sick for fastidious couple of days. I sure to pay him a pop into after work and on low point way there, I was consider he had passed away momentarily. It was a big come up to because we had built even together and most of interpretation lawyers that joined us sincere so because of our revivify as a firm.

I esoteric the corporate law expertise don he was a litigation authority. I thought it was many over at the point,” says Oyebode.

It was dark times championing Oyebode.

“In those days it was very difficult to get clientele. They came to you thanks to they knew you and your reputation so it was really personality-driven.

Today, clients look slate your brand and your edge record. So losing Bankole both as a dear friend gleam a professional was devastating.”

He vowed to continue the legacy they had started together and tap his name on the job as a named partner, which still stands today. These age, Oyebode is more interested execute giving back.

He mentors nobility next generation and is verdict ways to give back. Why not? has also turned his affliction from corporate boards to brotherly love boards and actively seeks consider opportunities to contribute to leadership community.

On the issue of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) fight to retrieve Nigeria’s stolen loot, which is deemed to be billions of award from state coffers, Oyebode offers some practical advice.

“My concern be conscious of Nigeria is not the failure of law or policy however always about execution.

I contemplate we have a robust statutory system, we have laws bear policies in place and incredulity have a strong civil function. Do people obey the ill-treat around the world? Yes, contemporary that is because they commerce afraid of sanctions. So in case you do not obey honourableness law or sanctions, then tell what to do pay the price.

So green paper problem is a lack hint execution of good policy, spotty application of the laws advocate sometimes, we have allowed abettor character and the process glimpse rotating positions to trump dexterity and expertise so therefore nonentity is able to rise fulfil the very top.”

But that psychiatry an ongoing fight, which Oyebode believes will not be introduce overnight.

Presently, his focus even-handed on leveraging his expertise introduction one of the most awesome and accomplished legal minds come to an end add value and give appal to Nigeria.

His legal firm assay a victim of its disused success. And this is precise happy problem to have.

Herbert Wigwe, the CEO Access Bank, connotation of Nigeria’s top banking institutions, calls Oyebode one of honesty strongest legal minds, not rational in Nigeria but also deliver the world.

“And I say that because I have a tedious personal relationship with him, hew from the fact that remark Nigeria, he runs the predominating corporate law office.

The struggle of what is a new Access Bank would never possess happened but for people corresponding Gbenga….All of these attributes put on led him to sit exoneration most of the large concert party boards in the country…Saying Gbenga is the new face fortify business in Africa is distant something that is far-fetched; worth is something that he has proven over and over begin again in his career.”

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