Genevieve is the current Chair of the British Nigeria Law Forum. Dual qualified (England & Wales & Nigeria), currently consulting at Taylor Rose, Genevieve’s practice covers business, insolvency and IT law.
Genevieve understands the fast changing technology landscape and the legal issues that this presents, being an independent management consultant, consulting and working with business and technical SMEs on numerous large scale digital transformation programmes.
Genevieve has worked on commercial contracts and insolvency cases including members voluntary liquidation of an international sporting body and French international banking group.
Timothy is the current Vice Chair at BNLF, and also the Managing Associate Barrister in the Dispute Resolution department at Mishcon De Reya LLP. Timothy has extensive experience in the areas of white-collar crime and regulatory investigations.
He spent three years in the Financial Conduct Authority’s Enforcement and Market Oversight Division. He has advised both individuals and private entities. He authored a chapter in Sweet and Maxwell’s British Tax Review on the Finance Act 2022.
He is also a member of Mishcon De Reya’s Africa Group. He is a member of the Lincoln’s Inn Bar Representation Committee, and advisor to the Change Management Library. He he has delivered lectures to LLM students at Queen Mary University.
Funbi Akinsanya is a graduate of Global Governance and Ethics MSc from UCL with a background in Law with Social Sciences from the University of Warwick.
She has an interest in international trade and investment law & policy, sustainable finance and development. She currently works in international development consulting. She plans to pursue a legal career in these fields as well as policy-making.
She believes in closing the gender gap in policy issues and adopting a holistic approach to policy recommendation. Currently, she serves as the Media and Public Relations Lead at the BNLF.
Over the past 11 years in legal practice, I have come to appreciate that helping people and businesses thrive requires more than expertise alone. It takes sound decisions, the right relationships and the ability to turn opportunities into meaningful outcomes.
My work spans business law, corporate governance and commercial advisory through SUNESIS DLP, alongside my passion for helping professionals build intentional relationships that open doors to growth and collaboration.
Through my legal practice, networking coaching, speaking and writing, I am committed to helping people and businesses grow through legal clarity and strategic relationships.
Afolarin is an associate in Vinson & Elkins International Dispute Resolution and Arbitration practice group. He has experience in high value international arbitration and multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation.
Afolarin has represented states, state entities and large multinational companies in international arbitrations conducted under the rules of the major arbitral institutions, including the LCIA, ICSID and ICC, in disputes arising from a range of industries including oil and gas, construction and telecommunications.
He has also represented clients in English High Court proceedings, particularly in relation to obtaining interim injunctions in support of foreign and arbitral proceedings and the enforcement of arbitral awards.
Highly accomplished legal professional with over 25 years of experience across diverse practice areas including Property, Immigration, Commercial, Family, and Criminal Law. Founded Obaseki Solicitors & Estates, successfully managing multi-jurisdictional teams delivering high-quality legal services to a global clientele.
Proven expertise in handling complex and high-profile cases, demonstrating strong analytical, problem-solving, and client management skills. Passionate advocate for social justice and equality, actively supporting community initiatives focused on human rights, access to justice, and women’s empowerment, particularly in developing economies.
Dedicated to advancing legal education and professional development. Holds an Honorary PhD and a distinguished academic background, including a BA in Law and Economics. Proven experience in lecturing, training, mentoring, and contributing to scholarly publications.
Seasoned leader with a strong track record of success in building and managing high-performing teams. Recognized for exceptional leadership qualities, ethical conduct, and commitment to professional excellence.
Odianose Matthew currently specialise in Real Estate Law and finance at Ackroyd legal LLP. Odianose has experience in complex residential and commercial property transactions and also specialises in employment law.
He represents international and private clients and institutional lenders such as MT Finance, Lendlord and other bridge lenders in completing high networth transactions. Prior to joining Ackroyd legal, Odianose has represented clients at the Immigration and Asylu Solicitors. Tribunals assisting to overturn various entry refusals and assisting UK private clients to regularise their immigration stay whilst he was at Obaseki Solicitors.
Odianose is also an author, social entrepreneur and a life coach who supports youth charities to deliver their programmes across some London boroughs. He is often sought for as a guest by international media stations. Odianose is the current membership secretary bringing with him people management skills to drive membership into BNLF.
I am an Intellectual Property Lawyer and Corporate Governance Practitioner committed to helping businesses safeguard their brands, build resilient governance frameworks, and operate with confidence in today’s dynamic commercial landscape.
With extensive indigenous legal practice experience and a global perspective, I deliver pragmatic, business-focused legal solutions tailored to the needs of corporate and commercial clients.
Let’s work together to protect what you’re building and position your business for sustainable growth.
Kash Balogun is Past Chair of the British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) and is also a partner at Keystone Law, an acclaimed UK Top 50 law firm known for its innovative approach to client service. An experienced leader in the legal profession, Kash previously headed the Africa team at BDB Pitmans LLP, building on his foundational roles at Clifford Chance and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
The Legal 500 recognises Kash as a distinguished commercial litigator with extensive expertise in the construction, oil & gas, and finance sectors. Specialising in high-stakes, complex disputes primarily originating from Sub-Saharan Africa, Kash has achieved success for clients across a wide spectrum of dispute resolution methods, including adjudications, international arbitrations, mediations, and high court litigation. His practice is defined by a strategic focus on cross-border complexities and high-value outcomes.
Ololade is the Chair of the BNLF and was elevated into that role in 2022 after a two-year term as the Vice-Chair. He is a Commercial Chancery Barrister at Five Paper. His practice leans towards banking, finance, insolvency (corporate and personal), asset recovery, company, partnership, and general commercial disputes.
He provides the full range of counsel services in all these areas and stands out for his ease of use and pragmatism. He was called to the Bar in 2015 but has been on his feet for 5 years. In that time, Ololade has represented clients as sole counsel in the Chancery Division (Business List and Insolvency & Companies Court) and the King’s Bench Division (Commercial Court) of the High Court, and in the County Court.
His recent work has involved civil fraud and issues of private international law as well as having an increasingly African flavour mainly through acting for clients based in African jurisdictions. Ololade sits on the Commercial Bar Association’s Africa Committee. He is a scholar of the University of Birmingham, The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, and the Pegasus Scholarship Trust.
Dr. Jennifer Obaseki is a Multi-Award Winning plus Honorary Ph.D. for Humanitarian work. Chair of FIDA UK plus adviser to NGOs. Expert on Human Rights, BA in Law & Economics from Middlesex and graduate of the University of Law. 16 years PQE.
Chairs / Past Chairs
Seye Aina
Past Chair 2017-2020
Her expertise in professional conduct, standards in public life and professional regulation has led to public appointments as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee of the Greater London Authority and the Professional Conduct Committee of the UK Council of Psychotherapy. She has also been an Investigator for organisations such as the Bar Council, the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman and AQA.
Stephen is a member of the Bar of England and Wales, he was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1993 to the bar of Turks and Caicos Islands in 2011. He has been in private practice since then practices at Great James Street Chambers, London.
Babatunde Akinyanju (Babs) is a legal adviser at the East London Family Court. He advises lay justices on all aspects of Public and Private Law including Child Arrangements Orders, Adoption and Family Law Act matters (Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders) He read law at the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in March 1988.
He provides high-level advice and representation for individuals, corporate clients and other organisations, (including NGOs), in matters ranging from business crime and corrupt practices, commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
He provides high-level advice and representation for individuals, corporate clients and other organisations, (including NGOs), in matters ranging from business crime and corrupt practices, commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
Independent Consultant at International Law Firm Cooley’s LLP
Founder
Tim Daniel is senior counsel at Cooley’s London office. He has acted for a number of governments and parastatals, particularly in the developing world.
This work has included representation of states before the International Court of Justice in the Hague in boundary disputes and in international arbitration disputes.
