Dialogue to explore the future of international law amid shifting geopolitical and geoeconomic realities and Africa’s strategic priorities.

LAGOS, NIGERIA | August 5, 2026 – Aluko & Oyebode, a top-tier full-service law firm in Nigeria, is set to co-host the International Law Association (Nigeria Branch) Africa Policy Dialogue alongside the International Law Association (Nigeria Branch), the Federal Ministry of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Vienna. The dialogue will take place on August 20, 2026, in Vienna, Austria as a high level side event during the 82nd Biennial Conference of the International Law Association (ILA).

Held under the theme, “Peace, Prosperity and the Future of International Law: Geopolitics and Geoeconomics in a Fragmenting World,” the dialogue will convene senior government officials, diplomats, legal practitioners, policymakers, academics and institutional leaders to examine the geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts reshaping the world and their implications for Africa.

Against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical rivalry, geoeconomic competition and evolving approaches to global governance, the dialogue will explore how African States can strengthen governance, safeguard national interests, deepen intra-African economic integration and build the legal and institutional capacity required to compete effectively in a rapidly changing global landscape.

The event will open with remarks from Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, JP, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Vienna, Austria; Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, President, International Law Association (Nigeria Branch); and Mr. Tunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Senior Partner, Aluko & Oyebode.

Commenting on the significance of the dialogue, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, President of the International Law Association (Nigeria Branch), who is also the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar said: “As the international legal order adapts to an era of geopolitical and geoeconomic transformation, it is essential that Africa contributes not merely as a participant, but as a thought leader. The Vienna Policy Dialogue demonstrates the International Law Association (Nigeria Branch)’s commitment to fostering principled, practical and forward-looking solutions that strengthen multilateralism, enhance investment confidence, and promote sustainable development for the benefit of Africa and the wider international community.“

The dialogue will feature two high-level panel discussions examining Africa’s strategic priorities in a changing geopolitical and geoeconomic environment and the role of international law in promoting peace, prosperity, justice and inclusive development.

The first session, “Africa Leaders’ Dialogue: Navigating Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Change – Africa’s Strategic Choices for Sustainable Development,” will be moderated by international journalist and Co-Founder of Moderate The Event, Femi Oke, and will feature Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Mrs. Patience Okala, National Coordinator, Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office; Mr. Olivier Pognon, Director and Chief Executive Officer, African Legal Support Facility and Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, Deputy Minister of Mines of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The discussion will explore practical pathways for advancing sustainable development, economic resilience and Africa’s long-term strategic interests.

The second session, “The Role of International Law in a Fragmenting World,” will be moderated by Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Senior Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, and Dr. Eghosa Ekhator, Associate Professor of International Environmental Law, University of Derby. Panellists include Professor Olabisi Akinkugbe, Purdy Crawford Chair in Business Law and Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University; Mr. Ahmed Essa Alsulaiti, President of the International Law Association – Gulf Cooperation Council Branch, lawyer and faculty member at the College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar; and Professor Marie-Claire Cordonnier Segger, Vice President, ILA Canada, and Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy at the University of Cambridge. Discussions will examine how international law can continue to provide an effective framework for cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution and sustainable development while responding to an increasingly fragmented international system.

Commenting on Aluko & Oyebode’s participation as a co-host, Mr. Tunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Senior Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, said: “In an era of geopolitical fragmentation, legal certainty has become a strategic economic asset. Businesses and investors depend on stable, predictable legal frameworks to make long-term decisions and manage cross-border risk. Aluko & Oyebode is proud to support this Policy Dialogue because meaningful engagement between governments, international institutions, business and the legal profession is essential to strengthening the rule of law, fostering investment confidence and advancing Africa’s economic integration and global competitiveness.”

As governments, institutions and legal practitioners respond to an increasingly complex global environment, the dialogue provides a timely opportunity to exchange perspectives on the policies, partnerships and legal frameworks needed to advance Africa’s long-term strategic interests.

Registration is now open. To register, visit: bit.ly/AfricaPolicyDialogue

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About the Firm
Aluko & Oyebode is a top-tier, leading full-service law firm in Nigeria, recognised for delivering strategic, high-quality legal advice to top-tier clients across sectors. For over three decades, the firm has advised multinational corporations, financial institutions, government bodies, and international investors on their most complex and high-value transactions and disputes. With deep expertise across all major practice areas and a strong track record of innovation and excellence, Aluko & Oyebode is widely regarded as a trusted partner for navigating Nigeria’s legal and regulatory landscape.

The firm is an integral member of ALN, an alliance of leading corporate law firms in 14 key African jurisdictions, enabling seamless, cross-border legal support across the continent.

Media Contact

Clifford Egbomeade
Communications & Digital Media Senior Advisor, Aluko & Oyebode
Email: clifford.egbomeade@aluko-oyebode.com
Website: www.aluko‑oyebode.com