Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, born on October 7, 1970, in Edo State, is a highly respected legal practitioner with over 30 years of experience in corporate and commercial law. As a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akpata gained national and international recognition for his leadership and involvement in high-profile legal matters.
Born into a family that emphasized education, Akpata’s father was a medical doctor, while his mother was a businesswoman. Though his father hoped he would pursue medicine, Akpata chose law. He attended King’s College, Lagos, and then earned his law degree from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1992. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993, he began his career working under Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN, a leading litigator in Nigeria.
Akpata joined Templars, a top corporate law firm co-founded by his cousin, Oghogho Akpata. He quickly rose to Senior Partner and led the firm’s Corporate and Commercial Practice Group. His expertise spans mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and oil and gas law. He was instrumental in advising Access Bank during its merger with Diamond Bank and played a key role in restructuring Nigeria’s power sector, contributing to the privatization of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).
In 2020, Akpata made history as the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to be elected NBA President in over three decades. His tenure was marked by efforts to reform the legal profession, enhance legal education, and advocate for human rights. Notably, Akpata’s leadership during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality solidified his role as a champion of justice.
Akpata married fellow lawyer Osayamon Ogbebor May Michelle in 2022. Their wedding was a significant event in Nigerian society, attended by high-profile figures. He has also been open about his personal challenges, including his battle with stage three cancer, from which he has been cancer-free for over five years.
With a legacy of legal reform and corporate leadership, Akpata is now running for governor of Edo State under the Labour Party, aiming to bring his experience in governance and law to the political landscape. His candidacy is seen as a fresh approach to leadership in the state, driven by his resilience and commitment to public service.
