Gukongozi Esther Ugwuezi is an Associate II at Olisa Agbakoba Legal and a member of the firm’s Governance Advisory and Corporate Commercial Practice Groups, where she advises clients on a broad spectrum of corporate, commercial, governance, and regulatory matters. She brings significant experience delivering legal solutions across complex transactions and diverse sectors including oil and gas, financial services, technology, maritime, and manufacturing.

Esther’s practice spans corporate advisory, company secretarial services, regulatory compliance, legal due diligence, and high-value transactional support. She provides strategic legal guidance to companies, supporting them in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and maintaining strong corporate governance structures. She supports boards and senior management on compliance obligations, governance best practices, and strategic decision-making, and advises on transactional risk management and structuring, including support on mergers, acquisitions, and investment transactions from due diligence through to execution.

Prior to transitioning fully into corporate commercial practice, Esther built a strong foundation in litigation, with experience in civil, criminal and property law matters. This background has significantly shaped her analytical approach, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate and mitigate legal risks in corporate transactions and advisory work.

She regularly supports clients in their engagements with key regulatory authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), advising on licensing, filings, regulatory approvals, and ongoing compliance requirements.

Beyond her professional work, Esther is passionate about the development of the younger generation of legal practitioners and actively mentors junior lawyers, providing guidance on career development, technical skills, and professional excellence.