Who Is Olumide Akpata?
Olumide Akpata is a Nigerian legal practitioner and politician who served as the 30th President of the Nigerian Bar Association. His full name is Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, born on 7 October 1972. He hails from Edo South Senatorial district, Edo State, Nigeria. Examples of his career include leading Templars law firm’s Corporate and Commercial Practice Group and later contesting the 2024 Edo State governorship election under the Labour Party.
What Is Olumide Akpata’s Full Name?
Olumide Akpata’s full name is Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata. He is widely known by the shortened name Olumide Akpata in legal and political circles.
Quick Facts About Olumide Akpata
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata |
| Date of birth | 7 October 1972 |
| State of origin | Edo State (Edo South) |
| University | University of Benin |
| Called to the Nigerian Bar | 1993 |
| Law firm | Templars |
| NBA position | 30th President (2020–2022) |
| Political party | Labour Party |
When and Where Was Olumide Akpata Born?
Olumide Akpata was born on 7 October 1972. He hails from Edo South Senatorial district in Edo State, Nigeria. He had his early education in Warri, Delta State, before proceeding to Lagos for his secondary schooling.
What Is Olumide Akpata’s Educational Background?
Olumide Akpata holds a law degree from the University of Benin. He began his education at Nana Primary School in Warri, then attended Federal Government College, Warri, and later King’s College, Lagos. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Benin, Edo State, in 1992 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993. He completed his National Youth Service Corps year in Kano State.
How Did Olumide Akpata Start His Legal Career?
Olumide Akpata began legal practice in Delta State under the tutelage of Mudiaga Odje. He joined the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. in Warri after his call to the bar, gaining his early legal experience there for roughly two years.
How Did Olumide Akpata Build Templars Law Firm?
Olumide Akpata co-built Templars into a full-service commercial law firm over nearly three decades. He relocated to Lagos in 1996 and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had established Templars the previous year. Akpata eventually became a Senior Partner and Head of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial Practice Group. He worked on several major transactions that shaped Nigerian commercial law, including the unbundling of NEPA, the merger between Diamond Bank and Access Bank, and General Electric’s strategic oil and gas acquisition in Nigeria.
How Did Olumide Akpata Become NBA President?
Olumide Akpata became NBA president through a landslide election victory in 2020. He defeated two candidates holding the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, becoming the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 28 years to be elected to the position. He served from August 2020, succeeding Paul Usoro and later handing over to Yakubu Maikyau at the end of his two-year, non-renewable term.
What Did Olumide Akpata Achieve as NBA President?
Olumide Akpata’s NBA tenure is regarded as one of the most consequential in the association’s recent history. Before his presidency, he served the NBA Section on Business Law in multiple roles, including Secretary in 2013, Vice Chairman in 2014, and Chairman in 2016. He was also recognized with the Business Icon of the Year award by ESQ Law in 2018 for his contributions to legal practice. Beyond the NBA, he has served on the boards of several private companies, participated in the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, and served as a pioneer member of the steering group of the United Nations Nigerian Humanitarian Fund.
Why Did Olumide Akpata Resign From Templars?
Olumide Akpata resigned from Templars to pursue active politics. His resignation took effect on 31 August 2023, following his decision to join the Labour Party. He described the move as a step toward contributing to nation-building, and confirmed the decision was reached collectively with the firm’s governance protocols.
How Did Olumide Akpata Run for Edo State Governor?
Olumide Akpata ran for Edo State governor as the Labour Party’s flagbearer. He won the party’s primary election in February 2024, scoring 316 of 340 votes at Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre in Benin City. His closest challenger in the primary received only 7 votes.
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Graduated from University of Benin with an LLB |
| 1993 | Called to the Nigerian Bar |
| 1996 | Co-built Templars law firm in Lagos |
| 2020 | Elected 30th President of the Nigerian Bar Association |
| 2022 | Completed NBA presidential term, returned to Templars |
| 2023 | Resigned from Templars to join the Labour Party |
| 2024 | Contested the Edo State governorship election |
What Was the Result of Olumide Akpata’s Governorship Bid?
Olumide Akpata placed third in the September 2024 Edo State governorship election. The All Progressives Congress candidate, Monday Okpebholo, won with 291,667 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party’s Asue Ighodalo came second with 247,274 votes. Akpata polled 22,763 votes. He announced weeks later that he would not challenge the result at the election tribunal, citing a preference for pursuing systemic electoral reform over prolonged legal battles.
What Is Olumide Akpata’s Personal Life Like?
Olumide Akpata married Osayamon Michelle May Ogbebor in Mauritius around his 50th birthday. The wedding was held at Trou D’Eau Douce Catholic Church, with a reception at the Longbeach Resort on the island’s Belle Mare coast, taking place just days before his 7 October birthday.
What Is Olumide Akpata Known For?
Olumide Akpata is known for reshaping the leadership profile of the Nigerian Bar Association and later transitioning into elective politics. His NBA presidency broke a 28-year pattern by placing a non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the helm of Africa’s largest bar association. His subsequent run for Edo State governor under the Labour Party extended his public profile from the legal profession into Nigerian electoral politics.