The British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) on Friday called for deeper legal and commercial collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, as it opened the second edition of its Nigeria Summit and Conference in Lagos, with participants identifying sound legal frameworks and policy reforms as critical to attracting investment.
The two-day Summit, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, themed “A New Dawn in Law, Investment and Opportunity in UK-Nigeria Relations”, coincided with the Forum’s 25th anniversary. The event followed a welcome cocktail and high-level roundtable discussion hosted on Thursday by the Deputy British High Commissioner at his residence, where participants examined how security influences investment decisions.
In his welcome address, BNLF Chairman, Kash Balogun, said the Forum’s 25-year journey reflects the enduring relationship between legal practitioners and business leaders in both countries, adding that the Summit was designed to strengthen cross-border partnerships and unlock new trade and investment opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, urged policymakers to sustain reforms that promote regulatory certainty, strengthen institutions and improve the ease of doing business, noting that investor confidence depends largely on predictable laws, efficient dispute resolution mechanisms and strong commercial relationships.
The Summit featured panel discussions on the investment climate under Nigeria’s new tax laws, the future of dispute resolution, intellectual property and the creative economy, cross-border networking, and the impact of divestments on investment and economic growth. Participants stressed the need for legal certainty, innovation and stronger institutions to support sustainable economic development.
The Summit attracted Senior Advocates, Judges, in-house Counsel, business executives, investors, regulators and policymakers from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, to explore practical strategies for enhancing bilateral trade and strengthening legal frameworks that support cross-border commerce.
The Summit concluded with recommendations on improving the investment climate, expanding commercial opportunities, and reinforcing the role of the legal profession in promoting economic growth and stronger UK-Nigeria relations.
