Funke Agbor is the First Female President of NMLA
Olufunke Agbor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Senior Partner at ACAS-Law has been recognized as the first female President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), following the body’s Special General Meeting held recently. She succeeds Chidi Ilogu, also a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Other elected executives include Mike Igbokwe, first vice president; Olumide Sofowora, second vice president; Emeka Akabogu, honorary secretary; Nneka Obianyor, assistant secretary; Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, treasurer; Oluseyi Adejuyigbe, financial secretary and Adedoyin Afun, publicity secretary.
Having served in different executive levels, Funke Agbor, in her acceptance speech pledged to build on the strengths and legacies of the past leaders.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka and a Master of Laws from the University College London. Funke was called to the Nigerian bar in 1982 and became a SAN in 2016, after a progressive 34-year career.
Recognized as an authority in her field, Funke has extensive experience in admiralty law, shipping & marine insurance law & Litigation, shipping registration, cabotage registration & compliance, ship finance & securitization amongst others. Her speciality includes maritime transactions as well as matters such as cargo loss and damage claims, collisions, commercial litigation before trial and appellate courts across Nigeria. Additionally, she is a seasoned arbitration practitioner acting as counsel and as an arbitrator in several references.
Funke currently serves as a Senior Partner and the head of the Shipping and Dispute Resolution Group of ACAS-Law.
Following her active participation in the development and formulation of policy in the Nigerian maritime industry, Funke has been acknowledged as a leader in the industry. She serves as a resource person for the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Annual Maritime Seminar for Judges.
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Funke is a CEDR Accredited Mediator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, UK and Nigeria Branch (FCIArb). She is also a member of the International Bar Association and serves as the General Editor for the Nigerian Journal of Maritime Law.
The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) is the premier body of maritime lawyers in Nigeria, with members across industry organizations, government agencies and law firms. Established in 1977, NMLA serves as an association of lawyers and related professionals in the maritime industry, who are committed to promoting the study and practice of Maritime and Mercantile Law of Nigeria and other nations.