Draft:Abiola Aderibigbe

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  • Comment: The sources in this article are word-for-word identical articles published on the same day in different newspapers ([1] [2] [3] [4]). This is obvious undisclosed paid coverage. MCE89 (talk) 10:25, 27 September 2025 (UTC)


Abiola Aderibigbe
British-Nigerian solicitor Abiola Aderibigbe
Born
Lagos, Nigeria
CitizenshipBritish-Nigerian
Alma materUniversity of Surrey (LLB)

University of Law (LPC) University of Westminster (LLM)

Liverpool John Moores University (PhD cand.)
Occupation(s)Lawyer, Academic, International Consultant
Known forAdvocacy for a Nigerian Construction Act
Board member ofThe Security Institute (General Counsel, Board Director )
Websitehttps://abiolaaderibigbe.com/

Abiola Oluwaseun Adeola Aderibigbe is a British-Nigerian lawyer, academic and international consultant.[1][2][3] He is a dual-qualified solicitor in England & Wales[4] and Ireland.[5][6][7] He practises in construction and related sectors including energy and infrastructure, governance and international project and development finance.[1][5]

His advocacy for a Nigerian Construction Act, a proposed law with five main parts to create a single framework for building safety and construction rules, was reported by Nigerian national newspapers in 2025.[6][7][8] Beyond mainstream coverage, his writing has appeared in specialist trade outlets including ACR Journal, Construction Index, and Security Matters.[9][10][11][12]

Early life and education

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Aderibigbe was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to Nathaniel Kehinde Aderibigbe, a chartered accountant who served as Director of Accounts at the Lagos Internal Revenue Service,[13] and Olubunmi Aderibigbe (née Soyannwo), a chartered insurer.[6][7] His late uncle, Gboyega Soyannwo, was Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu until his death in 2024.[14][15]

He began his primary education at Grace Children's School in Gbagada, and later attended the International School, University of Lagos, before his family migrated to the United Kingdom.[6][7]

In the United Kingdom he completed secondary school at St. Mary's Roman Catholic High School in Croydon and A-levels at Croydon College. He went on to earn an LLB in Law from the University of Surrey,[6][7] where he is also recognised in the university's Surrey Leaders alumni network.[16][17] He completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law (Guildford) and an LLM in Corporate Finance from the University of Westminster.[6][7]

As of 2025, Aderibigbe is a PhD candidate at Liverpool John Moores University, researching law, technology and the built environment.[6][7]

Career

[edit]
Aderibigbe at a London event

Aderibigbe works between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. He practises in construction and related sectors including energy and infrastructure, alongside governance, compliance, NGO work, and international project and development finance, a field that encompasses multilateral development banks and development finance institutions.[1][5] He has also held senior roles as a corporate executive, legal advisor, and international consultant across multiple sectors.[1][5]

According to the Security Institute, Aderibigbe serves as Hon. General Counsel and sits on the Board of Directors.[18] Companies House also list him as a director of the Security Institute.[12][18][19] He has written on professional ethics in Security Matters magazine.[12]

According to the organisation’s website, Aderibigbe also serves as Global General Counsel at How to Change the World (HTCTW), an international social enterprise focused on experiential education for university students in sustainability.[20][21][22]

He has served as Group Head of Legal & Commercial at the the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), the main trade association for the building engineering services sector in the United Kingdom.[23]

In academia, he lectures on international construction law at postgraduate level and has served as Course Director, and Faculty Director with professional training institutions in the UK and overseas.[1][24][25][26] His acaemic work include Elsevier Scopus-indexed proceedings from the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) and the World Construction Symposium (WCS).[27][28][29]

Advocacy of Nigerian Construction Act

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In September 2025, Aderibigbe set out a policy proposal for a Nigerian Construction Act, a single statute intended to harmonise building regulations and strengthen safety standards. The proposal was covered by several Nigerian national newspapers including The Nation, This Day, The Sun, Vanguard and Independent.[3][6][7][8][30]

The framework within Aderibigbe's proposal outlines the "Five Co-Equal Pillars"[1][2][3]:

  • Contractor registration and grading;
  • Enforceable health, safety and environmental standards;
  • Governance and anti-corruption safeguards;
  • Statutory payment timelines and adjudication processes; and
  • Skills transfer and local content obligations.

According to reports in some of these national dailies, he presented the framework as a means to reduce building collapses, improve compliant construction, ensure enforceable standards, restore public trust, and improve the bankability of projects for investors.[1][6][7]

Aderibigbe's call for a Construction Act was picked up again by the national dailies after the occurrence of a series of building and construction related tragedies across Nigeria.[1][2][3] These included, the three-story building collapse at Yaba, Lagos,[31][32] the Afriland Towers fire on Lagos Island,[30][33][34] the Alimosho collapse in Lagos,[35][36] and the building collapse in Awka, Anambra State.[37][38] The Nation, The Sun and Independent reported that Aderibigbe considered building safety to be Nigeria's next freedom and he welcomed similar calls for unification from Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who earlier in the year had advocated for unified building codes.[1][2][3] The outlets further noted that Aderibigbe's proposed Nigerian Construction Act would go further than the premise proposed by governor Sanwo-Olu, as Aderibigbe aimed to establish binding national statute across all 36 states.[1][2][3]

By October 2025, Aderibigbe's five-pillar proposal had been reported across Nigeria's mainstream media and trade outlets, with several describing him as "one of the loudest voices" advocating for construction law reform in Nigeria.[1][2][3][6][7]

Awards & recognition

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Aderibigbe at BESA Awards 2024

Coverage in The Nation and The Independent highlighted Aderibigbe's professional recognitions.[39][40]

Both newspapers reported that in 2024 he received the President's Award and the Customer Empathy Award from BESA.[39][40]

He is also a three-time recipient of the Frances Paterson Scholarship awarded by the Society of Construction Law (UK) in support of research in construction law and dispute resolution.[41][42]

The same coverage noted his recognition in international legal directories, including Advisory Excellence, The Lawyer Network, and Global Law Experts, which collectively named him Construction & Engineering Law Expert of the Year.[39][40]

The Nation and the Independent also cited his features in CXO Views,[43] Frontier Blaze,[44] and CIO Business World,[45] as well as placement in TBD Marketing's GC LinkedInfluencer Report (Q2 2025), where Aderibigbe was ranked seventeenth.[39][40][42]

In 2025, Aderibigbe was named among the Top 10 Exceptional Professionals of the Year in Law at The Iconic Brand Africa Awards (TIBA Awards), held in Lagos, Nigeria.[39][40]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rapheal (1 October 2025). "'Make Independence mean safety': Aderibigbe's 5-pillar plan". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Reporter, Samuel Oamen | Senior (2025-10-01). "Building safety is nation-building, says Nigeria's construction act advocate Aderibigbe". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Nzeako, Ikechi (1 October 2025). "Nigeria At 65: Aderibigbe Says Safety Must Be Nation's Next Freedom". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  4. ^ Solicitor Regulation Authority, (SRA) (2019-10-07). "Abiola Oluwaseun Adeola Aderibigbe". www.sra.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  5. ^ a b c d Nzeako, Ikechi (2025-09-15). "Nigeria Needs Construction Act To End Building Collapse, Restore Investors Confidence -Legal Expert". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Reporter, Samuel Oamen | Senior (2025-09-23). "Abiola Aderibigbe: The lawyer championing Nigeria's Construction Act". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rapheal (2025-09-21). "The British-Nigerian lawyer championing a construction act". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  8. ^ a b Okogba, Emmanuel (2025-09-14). "Legal expert calls for Nigerian Construction Act to curb building collapses". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  9. ^ "No common law escape". www.theconstructionindex.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  10. ^ "Employer can adjudicate true value of an interim application". www.theconstructionindex.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  11. ^ "Navigating the contracts minefield". ACR Journal. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  12. ^ a b c Aderibigbe, Abiola (September 2025). "The Institutes View". Security Matters (UK). 27: 14.
  13. ^ Bangudu, Oluwaseyi (25 December 2012). "INVESTIGATION: Lagos tax agency in secret operations, protects tax evaders". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  14. ^ Onuh, Chioma (2024-05-15). "Sanwo-Olu announces death of Deputy Chief of Staff Gboyega Soyannwo". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  15. ^ Ajia, Jide (2024-05-15). "Sanwo-Olu's deputy chief of staff dies at 55". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  16. ^ "Surrey Leaders | University of Surrey". www.surrey.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  17. ^ "Abiola Aderibigbe | University of Surrey". www.surrey.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  18. ^ a b "About Us". Security Institute. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  19. ^ "THE SECURITY INSTITUTE people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  20. ^ "Our Team". How to Change the World. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  21. ^ "Engineering students participate in conference for social change". Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  22. ^ SAIT. "School for Advanced Digital Technology offers opportunity in transformational program". www.sait.ca. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  23. ^ Rose, Ewen (24 July 2024). "Navigating the contractual minefield". www.thebesa.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  24. ^ "Abiola Aderibigbe - LJMU | LLM Construction Law Trainer". informaconnect.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  25. ^ "Abiola Aderibigbe - Informa Connect Academy | Contracts Management in Construction and Built Environment Projects Trainer". informaconnect.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  26. ^ "Faculty | Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications". Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  27. ^ Aderibigbe, Abiola (2023). "CONSTRUCTING FOR THE FUTURE: CAN THE DUTY OF GOOD FAITH IMPROVE PAYMENT IN THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?". Proceedings of the 39th Annual ARCOM Conference. 39 (Proceedings of the 39th Annual ARCOM Conference) – via Elsevier - Scopus.
  28. ^ Aderbigbe, Abiola (2023). "IS INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY SUFFICIENT TO REDUCE ADVERSARIALISM IN THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?". World Construction Symposium. 1: 634–644 – via Elsevier - Scopus.
  29. ^ Aderibigbe, Abiola (2024). "IMPACT OF CORRUPTION ON ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS WITHIN AFRICA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY". World Construction Symposium (World Construction Symposium): 544–554 – via Elsevier - Scopus.
  30. ^ a b Editor (2025-09-21). "Afriland Fire Underscores Urgent Case for Nigerian Construction Act, Says Aderibigbe". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2025-09-27. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  31. ^ Soaga, Olayide (2025-09-15). "Death toll in Yaba building collapse rises to four". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  32. ^ Adejoro, Lara (2025-09-13). "Three-storey building collapses in Yaba, four rescued". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  33. ^ "Afriland Towers fire: 10 staff of FIRS, United Capital die for Lagos Island incident". BBC News Pidgin. 2025-09-18. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  34. ^ Reporters, Our (2025-09-19). "Afriland Tower fire victims developed complications from inverter smoke – Officials". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  35. ^ Salami, Uthman (2025-09-25). "Again, six rescued as two-storey building collapse in Lagos". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  36. ^ olufemiajasa (2025-09-25). "Two-storey building collapses in Lagos, one injured, five rescued". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  37. ^ Awka, Nwanosike Onu (2025-09-25). "Workers feared trapped as five- storey building collapses in Anambra". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  38. ^ Obianeri, Ikenna (2025-09-25). "PICTORIAL: Many feared trapped as three-storey building collapses in Anambra". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  39. ^ a b c d e Reporter, Samuel Oamen | Senior (2025-09-24). "Construction Act Advocate, Abiola Aderibigbe, named top 10 in law at 2025 TIBA awards". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  40. ^ a b c d e Nzeako, Ikechi (25 September 2025). "British-Nigerian Lawyer, Abiola Aderibigbe, Shortlisted Among Top 10 In Law At 2025 TIBA Awards". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  41. ^ "Frances Paterson Scholarships | Society of Construction Law UK". www.scl.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  42. ^ a b Reporter, Samuel Oamen | Senior (2025-09-26). "British-Nigerian lawyer reacts to building collapses in Lagos, Anambra". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  43. ^ "The Most Influential Leaders In Legal Services To Watch In 2025 - CXO Views". 2025-05-20. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  44. ^ Blaze, Frontier (2025-08-18). "Abiola Aderibigbe - Frontier Blaze". Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  45. ^ admin (2025-07-10). "Abiola Aderibigbe: Anchoring Justice, Leading with Integrity". CIO Business World. Retrieved 2025-09-27.