Alokolaro Emerges 10th Chairman Of NBA-SBL

The managing partner of TNP (The New Practice), Baba Alokolaro, has assumed office as the 10th Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).

Alokolaro was sworn in on August 27, 2026, in Port Harcourt, succeeding Mrs. Ozofu ‘Latunde Ogiemudia, who served as chairman over the previous two-year term.

Prior to his election, Alokolaro served as Vice Chairman of the NBA-SBL under Ogiemudia and was a member of the section’s Executive Council.

He will lead the section for the 2026–2028 term, with a focus on developments in business law practice, technology, environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, and the wider regulatory and investment environment.

Speaking on his priorities, Alokolaro said the practice of business law in Nigeria was undergoing significant changes and that the NBA-SBL would need to adapt to emerging trends.

“Nigerian business law is at an inflection point, and the SBL continues to focus on the real work ahead of it,” he said.

He said his administration would seek to modernise business law practice, improve transaction standards and strengthen the profession’s engagement with technology and ESG issues, while ensuring that younger lawyers were adequately integrated into the changing landscape.

Alokolaro also said the section would continue to engage with issues affecting investment and regulation in Nigeria and the wider region.

The NBA-SBL, established in 2004, provides a platform for lawyers and other stakeholders to discuss developments in business law, regulatory policy and investment.

Its activities include the Annual Business Law Conference, which brings together legal practitioners, government officials, regulators and business stakeholders to discuss developments affecting the business environment.

Alokolaro becomes the latest in a succession of lawyers to chair the section. Previous chairmen include its pioneer chairman, George Etomi; Mfon Usoro; Gbenga Oyebode, MFR; Asue Ighodalo; Olumide Akpata; Seni Adio, SAN; Ayuli Jemide; Adeoye Adefulu; and Ogiemudia.

Alokolaro is the Managing Partner of TNP, where he heads the firm’s Corporate Finance and Business Advisory Groups. He also previously served as Head of the Corporate Commercial Africa Service Line at Andersen Global, of which TNP is a collaborating firm.

He obtained his LL. B from the University of Warwick in 1997 and an LL.M from the University of East Anglia in 1998 before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001.

Between 2007 and 2011, he served as General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State, where he was involved in matters relating to policy, strategic investments, infrastructure development, asset optimisation and concession arrangements.

His areas of practice include finance, capital markets, infrastructure, private equity and mergers and acquisitions, with experience across sectors including power, transportation, manufacturing, financial services and technology, media and telecommunications.

Alokolaro is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has also served on the Professional Services Group of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Governing Board of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission.

He served as Vice Chairman of the NBA-SBL’s Executive Council before assuming the chairmanship.