Profile of Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN

Professor Fabian Ikenna Ajogwu, OFR, SAN, stands as a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s legal and academic sphere, particularly renowned for his pioneering contributions to corporate governance. Born in June 1970 in Enugu State, Nigeria, he has built a career that bridges rigorous academic scholarship with impactful legal practice.

Professor Ajogwu holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, an MBA from IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, and law degrees from both the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos. He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School, and the Said Business School at Oxford University.

Since 2000, he has served as a Professor of Corporate Governance at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, marking him as Nigeria’s first professor of Corporate Governance. He delivered the 6th Inaugural Lecture of Pan-Atlantic University, titled “Corporate Governance and Company Law: Decoupling Ownership from Management in the Pursuit of Profits” in 2015. As an outstanding legal practitioner, he is the Founding Partner of Kenna, a prominent Nigerian law firm known for delivering excellent legal services to clients. His legal acumen was recognized by his elevation to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at the age of 39.

Professor Ajogwu’s influence in corporate governance is both foundational and far-reaching. He played a pivotal role in drafting Nigeria’s inaugural Code of Corporate Governance in 2003, collaborating with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). His leadership extended to chairing the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Committee that developed the 2014 Corporate Governance Code for the telecommunications sector. Furthermore, he contributed to the 2018 National Code of Corporate Governance through his work with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

In 2005, he founded the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing ethical corporate practices across Africa. His scholarly works, including “Corporate Governance in Nigeria: Law and Practice” and “Corporate Governance & Group Dynamics,” serve as essential references for practitioners and academics alike.

Professor Ajogwu’s expertise is sought after in various corporate boardrooms. He serves as the Chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc, and Novare Group in Nigeria (owners of the Novare malls), and Non-Executive Director at Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, amongst others.

Professor Ajogwu has been lead Counsel to governments and corporations in several cases of national importance, particularly in energy, telecommunications, finance, and policy. His contributions extend to social and civic initiatives, including the AIFA Reading Society, the Society for Art Collection, the Akashi Leadership Initiative, and The Governance Platform (TGP), amongst others.

He is the recipient of the national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) conferred on him by the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Major Contributions to Corporate Governance

• The formulation of Nigeria’s pioneer Code of Corporate Governance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2003

• Chaired the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Committee that developed the NCC Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecommunications sector in 2014.

• Contributed to the development of the 2018 Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

• Collaborated with the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria in developing leading corporate governance handbooks – “Company Secretary’s Guide on Corporate Governance” and “Directors’ Guide on Corporate Governance”.

Published Books on Corporate Governance

• Reflections on Corporate Governance
• Sustainability & COP28: What It Means for Boards
• Corporate Governance and Group Dynamics
• Corporate Governance in Nigeria: Law and Practice
• Decoupling Ownership from Management of Companies