“My forte is the business of law”- A Transactions Lawyer, Ladapo

Oyebiyi Ladapo is a transactions lawyer and astute business strategist with years of experience in negotiation, niche marketing, project finance, and strategic planning.  In this interview, he bares his mind on his foray into law practice and strategic businesses, among other issues.

Let us start by asking you to tell us about yourself and growing up?

My name is Oyebiyi Ladapo. I am the principal partner of the BL practice hub, a transactions law firm which was founded in 2010 but incorporated in 2012. I have been in the business of law for the past 7 years. Growing up, being successful in every aspect of my life was the aim, but law was never part of the plan. Later on, I found myself as a member, a protector, and an admirer of the profession of law.  I come from a family of medical practitioners, save the fact that my father’s brothers were lawyers, but the aspect of law they focused on was not in my forte. Overtime, I gave extensions and fillings to what I gained from internship at my uncle’s firm in Ibadan, Biola Ladapo & Co., as well as a few other models and mentors I met at various stages of my life.

Enlighten us on your educational background and experience?

I attended International School University of Lagos for my junior high school, and King’s College Lagos for my senior high school. I studied law at Lagos State University Ojo where I attained my Bachelor of law degree, and the Nigerian Law School, Abuja after which I qualified to become a Barrister and Solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  I took my education a step further by going to Edinburgh business school, Heriot Watt University in the UK where I mastered in business, an advice given to me by my cousin/model, Gboyega Abudu, to do something totally unrelated to gain a competitive edge. Subsequently, I have engaged in online development courses for mind and capacity building.

Growing up, what were some of your childhood dreams?

In Nigeria, for most youths born in the 80s, our dreams were restricted to service of being the employed. In most cases, parents direct our paths, from career, to relationships, to religious beliefs, political views, and many more. This leads to a lot of people living their parents’ dreams. I recall at some point in time, my dream was to graduate from the University, work for a top oil firm, and earn half a million naira a month. But need I say more? Reps ipsa loquitor.

Can you please tell us more about your business?

I don’t run a business, but I offer a professional service in the practice of business of law. The business of law entails breaking the profession into segments or bringing new segments into existence, more or less, carving a niche for yourself as an identity to develop your profile. It also entails targeting, which is the art of identifying and selecting which targets fit your goal, usually, the ones most profitable.

And finally, the art of positioning which requires how I put myself in the mind of my clients and gain a competitive advantage over my peers.

As a successful entrepreneur and lawyer, why did you venture into politics?

I have not ventured into politics as this question suggests, however, I believe it is the responsibility of every Nigerian citizen to be associated with the manifestos of a political party because the more that people get involved, it creates a pool of ideas that aids in development of the nation. For example, in the UK, citizens align with the ideology of being either in the conservative or labour party. So the youths should be encouraged to get involved in politics and bring ideas of the age of their time for the purpose of nation building. The not-to-young-to-run bill is an act that should be applauded.

How do you see the political situation in Nigeria?

A lot of progress is being made in Nigeria by Nigerians, but there is always room for improvement. I suggest we make most political offices less attractive to achieve passion and national service. Few individuals are in the public office in the interest of the nation, whilst others go there for their own selfish interests or survival.

In my opinion, our leaders should have the utmost knowledge of law or an idea of background of law and morality, and possess the features that are expected of leaders globally. Our leaders should be held accountable. The world is evolving to a new age, so young people should be given the opportunity to innovate, create, and express their minds. After all, according to the Nigerian history, before the year 1960 and post-independence, young minds got involved in the nation building of Nigeria and did so in their late 20s and early 30s , but most of them are still involved till date. So it won’t be a bad idea for a new age to take the reins.

What are some of the values that define you as an individual?

I want to start by saying humans see through people. There is a perception of how people want to be seen, are seen, or expected to be seen. And so by public opinion, I am seen as someone with very high moral standards. I believe in honesty in every aspect of my life.

In delivery, I am an approach and result-oriented person, and I am relentless in achieving such results. Most of all I am intentional

What is the most outstanding moment in your life as an entrepreneur?

There are various outstanding moments in my life, but one I am proud of is the moment I realized I had broken many barriers and ceilings at a very young age.

You are dedicated to your business and career, but when you are not working, how do you unwind?

The world is full of distractions, so I make a conscious effort to renew my spiritual mind by listening to podcasts and developing my mind to create a new world on earth with a positive mind-set. I define myself as a social introvert and whatsoever I choose to do, I do well, so when I am out, I’m out, and when I am in, I’m in. That explains it all.

What advice would you hand down to the youths?

Nigeria is an emerging nation, and has been for a very long time, and this has led to a lot of economic instability, uncertainty, and imbalance. Most Nigerian youths are thus, susceptible to anxiety and worry due to the fear of failure and not being fulfilled. Based on my experience, in the presence or absence of worry, things always fall into place as long as you follow the templates of life and precedents of realistic and attainable success stories. Therefore I advise the youths to be brave, decisive, goal-oriented, authentic, and worry less, because things will always fall into place.