Experts in the legal industry were on Thursday full of praises for General Counsels (GCs) for the immense role they play within corporate structures to keep the legal profession going.

The experts, who spoke at The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Nigeria 2025 event organised in collaboration with TNP at the Lagos Motor Boat Club, Ikoyi-Lagos, lauded General Counsels for their behind-the-scenes work ensuring regulatory compliance, risk management, and business strategy alignment.

The GC Powerlist event, in its second year, brought together the country’s leading legal professionals to celebrate their achievements, foster professional networking, while underscoring the significance of recognising GCs and their contributions to the corporate world.

The event featured the award of certificates of recognition to General Counsels in Nigeria recognised for their remarkable work.

Speaking at the event, Akachukwu Nwokedi, General Counsel, NLNG, described General Counsels as lawyers trained to understand business transactions of a corporate entity, adding that they are a special group of people in the legal profession.

“I see GCs as a catalyst for keeping the legal profession going and this is where the in-house talent for the legal profession sits,” Nwokedi said, acknowledging the role of GCs in corporate bodies.

Underscoring the often-overlooked contributions of GCs within corporate structures, Dr Irene Robinson-Ayanwale of Omni Retail Technology pointed out that while external counsels are frequently in the spotlight, in-house legal teams work behind the scenes to ensure regulatory compliance, risk management, and business strategy alignment.

“A lot of people forget that the GCs are actually behind the scenes ensuring that from a legal perspective, regulatory perspective, even product perspective, we are the ones ensuring that things get done,” Robinson-Ayanwale said.

“GCs are behind mergers and acquisitions, having the opportunity to know the 360 degrees of a business, ensuring that documentation is aligned with the objectives and purpose of the organization.

“Even in litigations, even if a lawyer says, ‘I’ve won a case’, the truth is that you couldn’t have won the case if, first of all, the GCs and the in-house team did not do their job,” she said.

She further noted that the role of GCs is evolving beyond legal functions, with many professionals now overseeing revenue assurance, risk management, and compliance teams.

Managing Partner at TNP, Baba Alokolaro, highlighted the importance of honouring the legal function, describing GCs as the driving force behind business operations in Nigeria.

He noted that the Legal 500 GC Powerlist serves as a platform to acknowledge the expertise and technical capabilities of in-house counsel across multiple sectors.

Alokolaro also reflected on his own experience in the public sector, acknowledging the often-overlooked role of government-affiliated GCs. He suggested that organisations such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) could integrate similar initiatives to honour legal professionals within their ranks.

On her part, Partner at TNP, Bukola Bankole, spoke about the broader objectives of the Powerlist, stressing that the initiative strengthens collaboration between external law firms and in-house counsel.

She emphasised the necessity of celebrating GCs, saying they are instrumental in the legal industry’s ecosystem, facilitating business transactions and supporting law firms.

“Recognition serves as a morale booster,” Bankole stated, adding that lawyers often work behind the scenes without public acknowledgment. She expressed hope that such events would inspire professionals to strive for excellence and foster greater industry collaboration.

General Counsel and COO at Tangerine Group, Christine Shojoade, stated that such gatherings would generate valuable insights and strong professional opinions, ultimately benefitting the legal community.

Similarly, Head of Legal for sub-Saharan Africa at Reckitt Benckiser, Madonna Okpaleke, emphasised the importance of creating spaces where lawyers can connect, share solutions, and discuss emerging challenges.

Okpaleke also highlighted the role of mentorship in the legal field, expressing a personal commitment to guiding young lawyers and fostering the next generation of legal talent.