By Henry Ojelu

Lagos, Nigeria – The New Practice, TNP, law firm has reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing in-house lawyers as key drivers of business success.

Over the weekend, TNP in partnership with Legal500 hosted new entrants into ‘The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Nigeria 2025’ in Lagos, marking the second edition of the prestigious ranking supported by the firm.

Speaking at the event, TNP’s Managing Partner, Baba Alokolaro, highlighted the significance of the GC Powerlist in celebrating legal professionals who play instrumental roles in advancing various industries.

“The Legal 500 GC Powerlist has been supported by my firm, TNP, for the second year running. What it has done is recognize the best in our industry across multiple sectors, highlighting their expertise, technical capacities, and contributions. These individuals are catalysts for business in Nigeria’s corporate environment,” Alokolaro stated.

He further stressed the importance of acknowledging the work of general counsels (GCs) not only in the private sector but also in the public sector. Reflecting on his tenure as a public-sector GC, Alokolaro encouraged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to introduce similar recognitions for legal professionals at home, akin to international legal directories.

“Charity begins at home,” he noted, emphasizing the need for local platforms to appreciate in-house legal experts.

Bukola Bankole, a Partner at TNP, also underscored the impact of collaborating with The Legal 500, describing it as one of the most prestigious legal rankings.

“The work we do as counsel is to support in-house counsel, so recognizing and celebrating them for all they do is vital. They are the ones that send us the work that keeps us in business,” Bankole stated. She further noted that the initiative serves as a morale booster, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of legal professionals to corporate success.

Beyond recognition, Bankole emphasized that the event fosters industry collaboration and networking, enabling legal professionals to build stronger connections and work together across different sectors.

“Bringing everyone under one roof, getting to meet, socialize, and network is a great way to encourage collaboration and expansion,” she added.

Chistine  Sijuwade, General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at Tangerine Group, who was among the new entrants, expressed her hope that the GC Powerlist would ignite meaningful discussions on pressing legal and business issues.

“I see this as an opportunity to bring GCs together to share strong opinions on key issues affecting the industry,” she remarked.

The event reinforced the essential role of in-house lawyers as catalysts for business growth, further solidifying their impact on Nigeria’s corporate landscape.