Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata To Contest For Edo Governorship In 2024

Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata To Contest For Edo Governorship In 2024

Olumide Akpata has gained notable prominence through his tenure as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and his involvement in high-profile legal cases, earning recognition both nationally and internationally……CONTINUE READING 

**Early Life and Education**
Born into a family that highly valued education, Olumide Akpata’s mother, Mrs. Patience Oluwafunmilayo Akpata, was a respected businesswoman, while his father, a medical doctor, initially hoped he would follow in his footsteps. Instead, Olumide chose a legal path after considering business administration. He attended King’s College, Lagos, before earning his law degree from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1992. After completing his legal training at the Nigerian Law School, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1993, at the age of 23. His early career included National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano and valuable experience working with prominent litigator Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN.

**Career at Templars: A Leading Role in Corporate Law**
Olumide’s career took a significant turn when he joined Templars, a leading commercial law firm co-founded by his cousin, Oghogho Akpata. In Lagos, he became a Senior Partner and head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and oil and gas law. Under his leadership, Templars grew into one of Nigeria’s top law firms. His notable achievements include advising Access Bank on its merger with Diamond Bank and playing a key role in the restructuring of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), which facilitated the privatization of Nigeria’s power sector.

**Groundbreaking NBA Presidency**
In 2020, Olumide Akpata made history as the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to be elected President of the NBA in over 30 years. His presidency was marked by efforts to enhance the welfare and professional development of lawyers, promote continuous legal education, and support human rights, notably during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality.

**A Personal Life Grounded in Family and Tradition**
Olumide’s marriage to Osayamon Ogbebor May Michelle in 2022 was a significant event, celebrated with traditional and white wedding ceremonies. Osayamon, a Financial Market Legal Advisor at Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, shares a strong legal background with Olumide. Their marriage is seen as a union of two accomplished professionals.

**Overcoming Personal Challenges**
Akpata has been open about his health struggles, including living with Vitiligo and surviving stage three cancer, which he was diagnosed with over a decade ago. His candid sharing of these challenges has strengthened his connection with the public and demonstrated his resilience.

**Legacy and Future Prospects**
Olumide Akpata’s career is distinguished by his excellence in corporate law, transformative leadership of the NBA, and his emerging role in politics, reflecting his dedication to positively impacting Nigerian society.