BNLF Summit to spotlight trade, investment and legal collaboration

The British-Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) is set to bring together leading legal practitioners, policymakers, investors and business executives for its Nigeria Summit 2026, as the organisation celebrates 25 years of promoting professional and commercial ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The BNLF was established in 2001 by legal practitioners with professional interests in both jurisdictions, to encourage professional cooperation and knowledge sharing among lawyers operating in Nigeria and the UK.

The two-day event, scheduled for June 25 – 26, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, is expected to attract between 250 and 300 participants. Themed, “A New Dawn in Law, Investment and Opportunity,” the summit will provide a platform for discussions on strengthening legal, commercial and investment relations between both countries.

Speaking at a pre-summit press briefing in Lagos, Kash Balogun, chairman of the BNLF, described the gathering as both a milestone celebration and an opportunity to deepen partnerships that can drive economic growth across the two jurisdictions.

According to him, the forum has spent the last 25 years serving as a bridge between professionals and institutions in Nigeria and the UK, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange. He noted that the summit’s theme reflects emerging opportunities for greater cooperation in trade, investment and business development.

Balogun also pointed to recent high-level engagements between Nigeria and the United Kingdom as indicators of growing bilateral relations and increased prospects for commercial cooperation. He stressed that sustainable economic growth depends on strong relationships and partnerships capable of creating opportunities across sectors, which is what the BNLF aims to achieve.

The summit begins on June 25th with a closed-door roundtable chaired by Florence Eshalomi MP, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria. The session will bring together senior representatives of law firms, government officials, investors and business leaders to explore practical strategies for expanding trade and investment between the two countries.

Day one will conclude with a cocktail reception hosted at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner.

Genevieve Nwodo Wakeley-Jones, vice-chair of the BNLF, said the calibre of participants expected at the summit reflects the forum’s growing influence as a platform for policy engagement and commercial dialogue.

She explained that the conference will cover a broad range of topics, with the aim of strengthening confidence in Nigeria as an investment destination and facilitate meaningful cross-border partnerships.

The main summit will take place on June 26 and feature discussions on issues shaping the legal and business landscape.

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, founding partner of Olaniwun Ajayi LP, while Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), is expected to deliver a special address. Sessions would cut across the recent tax reforms, developments in the creative economy, dispute resolution mechanisms, investment and divestment trends, and strategies for building stronger international professional networks.

The summit will conclude with a gala dinner commemorating the BNLF’s 25th anniversary and recognising its contributions to strengthening legal and commercial relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Babatunde Denton, a member of the BNLF Lagos Chapter, said the success of the inaugural Lagos summit last year had strengthened the forum’s presence in Nigeria and enhanced engagement with the Nigerian Bar Association, particularly the Section on Legal Practice and the Section on Business Law.

He added that the organisation recently co-hosted a webinar on the future of the legal profession which attracted more than 3,000 participants, highlighting the growing appetite for cross-border professional engagement within the legal sector.

Kemi Afesojaye, co-chair of the BNLF Lagos Committee, described the summit as an important opportunity for legal practitioners and business professionals seeking to expand their international networks and explore new areas of collaboration.

Registration remains open for the conference and gala dinner, with organisers encouraging interested delegates, firms and institutions to secure participation ahead of the event.