Adeyemi Akisanya

Adeyemi (‘Yemi) A. Akisanya is an Oil & Gas lawyer with over forty years tested experience in Oil & Gas domestic and international transactions, projects, and financing, including a vast network in the private and public sectors of the industry.

BACKGROUND & EDUCATION:
‘Yemi Akisanya obtained

  • the LL.B, with honours, from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in July 1976; and
  • an LL.M, in September 1979, from the London School of Economics and Political Science, (then, as of the University of London), UK.

He was:

  • called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1977, as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; and
  • enrolled as a Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by instrument of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, as of May 22, 2014.

EARLY WORKING EXPERIENCE:
He has worked with:

  • the Oyo State (of Nigeria) Ministry of Justice, (1977-1978 – NYSC);
  • the law firm of Odujinrin and Adefulu, in Lagos, Nigeria, (1979-1980);
  • the law firm of Sullivan and Cromwell, in New York, USA, (1980-1981 – Foreign Associates Program); and
  • Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (“MPNU”), ExxonMobil’s Nigerian operating subsidiary, (1981-2002).

He took an elective early retirement from MPNU in March 2002, after twenty-one years of service in various capacities, including Senior Counsel, International Transactions Counsel, Company Secretary and Acting General Counsel.

MEDIATION PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE:
Yemi Akisanya is an astute Mediator and Mediation Advocate, experienced Dispute
Resolution Specialist, Conflict Resolution & Management Expert and consultant, and a
highly skilled negotiator.

He is:

  • a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, UK) Accredited Mediator;
  • a passionate Mediation Advocate;
  • a member of the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates, UK (SCMA);
  • an SCMA Certified Mediation Advocacy Trainer; and
  • a Mediate.com / ODR Africa Accredited Online Mediator

He is one of twelve only members currently appointed and serving on the special
Dispute Resolution Panel of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission, the
Regulatory Authority of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

He is also on:

  • the Panel of Neutrals of the International ADR Centre of the Nigerian Upstream
    Petroleum Regulatory Commission (“NUPRC”);
  • the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi Door Court House (“LMDC”);
  • the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (“LCA”);
  • the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration
    Centre (“LACIAC”); and
  • the Panel of Neutrals of the Federal High Court, Abuja ADR Centre, (“FHC ADR Centre”).

He has been the Mediator in well over one hundred and fifty mediations, as well as other
facilitated negotiations and multiple party conflict resolution matters. The subject matter
in these mediations has ranged from corporate commercial transactions in various
business sectors, through community relations, land acquisitions and title disputes, to public policy (including multiple party) conflict resolution.
In the mediation of disputes arising from corporate commercial transactions, he has
expectedly specialized in Energy (Oil, Gas & Power), as well as in Joint Ventures, Breach
of Contracts (especially matters involving frustration and Force Majeure elements, and
Financing, as well as Government Relations.
He has had remarkable success as an effective teacher, an innovative adviser, a skillful
negotiator, a credible bridge builder, and a committed peacemaker.

This dates back to his time at MPNU, where, to give a few non-exhaustive examples:

  • He represented the Legal side of a Multi-disciplinary Team to carry a project for inclusion of local communities and empowerment of indigenous contractors in the Company’s Eket/Ibeno operations areas, in Akwa Ibom State, between 1998 and 2001.
  • He successfully led conciliatory negotiations with local communities including but
    not limited to the final settlement of all disputes and claims with respect to land
    within which MPNU’s Airstrip and other operations facilities are located, ending a
    feud which had continued for over fifteen years and leading to an era of peace and
    cooperation with the local communities in Eket and Ibeno.
  • Yemi Akisanya, as the quintessential Mediator, while he was Senior Counsel and Company Secretary at MPNU (ExxonMobil), was at the centre of one of the most complex legal issues and conflicts between the company and its host communities in Rivers State. His mediation skills resulted in a timely resolution of legal disputes that could have lasted several years in litigation.
  • He was lead Nigerian in-house counsel in negotiations and discussions with respect
    to all agreements for Mobil’s Independent Power Project (“IPP”) on Bonny Island, Rivers State of Nigeria. These included, inter alia, the Power Purchase Agreement, the Implementation Agreement, and procurement of pertinent Rights of Way.
  • The above experience and results have been repeatedly replicated in a successful practice as a Mediator and a Mediation Advocate over the last twelve years and more.

TDSH:
In collaboration with a small number of other Mediators and ADR practitioners, ‘Yemi has
established The Dispute Solutions Hub Ltd, (“TDSH”).

  • TDSH is a collective of highly skilled and experienced full-time independent Mediators,
    Negotiators, and Conflict Resolvers, committed to the culture, practice, and utilization
    of Mediation and its principles and values, in the resolution of conflicts and disputes in
    business and personal transactions and in the workplace environment.
  • TDSH operates much like a typical British barristers’ chambers. Thus, its members are fully independent and self-employed. Their main connection is the TDSH Roundtable.
    The TDSH Roundtable aims to play a crucial role in developing and advancing the practice and understanding of Mediation as a viable and effective dispute resolution method for both domestic and international commercial disputes and conflicts.
  • The TDSH Roundtable also facilitates collaboration among its members and other mediators, legal experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders, providing a forum to share knowledge and develop comprehensive mediation strategies.
  • On the whole, the Roundtable seeks to promote ethical standards and guidelines for
    mediation practice, which ensure high-quality and fair mediation processes.
  • TDSH gives clients optimum access to the best in Mediation and Conflict Management services and advisory, including helping proactive steps in the development and implementation of a pro-active dispute and conflict management policy, including inter alia, targeted litigation docket reduction.
    “I love the way clients’ eyes light up, when I have been able to demonstrate to them the positive ‘bottom-line’ impact potential of having a strategic conflict management and dispute resolution policy.”
  • TDSH approach is anchored on an “out-of-the-box” – “there is no box, period!” -attitude and outlook to the resolution of disputes and conflicts.
  • However, as may be appropriate, through Adeyemi-Akisanya Associates, TDSH will also manage or arrange for the handling of vigorous litigation, arbitration, or adjudication, on behalf of clients.

SIGNIFICANT CORPORATE STRENGTHS AND SKILLS IN THE ENERGY (Oil & Gas) SECTOR:

  • In-depth, hands-on experience both in Nigeria and overseas, in about every aspect of the business and operations of the upstream oil industry and the pertinent processes, transactions and agreements, at every stage from inception and drafting, through negotiation and finalization to execution.
  • Strong commercial and transactional knowledge and experience, with substantial experience gained from working on major domestic and international transactions, including joint ventures, EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contracts and Project Finance.
  • Expert Knowledge of local laws concerning commercial transactions, SHE (Safety, Health and Environment), corporate governance and generally acknowledged strong technical knowledge and know-how of Oil and Gas law and taxation coupled with excellent analytical skills.
  • Proven effective negotiation, advocacy, and drafting skills with ability to use skills for significant contribution to optimal attainment of clients’ business goals and objectives without sacrificing legal soundness and integrity.
  • Excellent understanding of US laws with extra territorial effects such as the FCPA, and other ethical laws in Nigeria and other jurisdictions. (While in MPNU, and thereafter, he has provided continuous counsel, advisory, and training in such laws in MPNU and other MNC’s, in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.)
  • Demonstrable effective network and reach within both the public and the private sectors.
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Proven ability to sustain long, continuous periods of work under considerable stress and pressure and to handle large volume of varied work effectively.

LAW PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE:
He is the Principal of Adeyemi-Akisanya Associates, a highly skilled, service-oriented boutique law firm of Legal Advisors and ADR Practitioners, with specialized expertise in:
General Corporate Commercial Transactions and Advisory with a strong but non-exclusive focus in Energy (Oil, Gas, and Electricity & Power); Dispute and Conflict Resolution Advisory and Practice (Mediation, Representation at Mediation, Negotiation, & Conflict Management); Corporate Governance and Ethical Laws Compliance (US FCPA, UK Bribery Act – and other such local and international legislation); Local Content compliance; Estates and Wills; and Properties (Documentation, Due Diligence, Title Rectification & Perfections).

Typical of boutique firms, Adeyemi-Akisanya Associates, work with their clients’ budgets, yet without compromising value, to bring them the benefit of Yemi’s vast hands-on experience in about every aspect of the business operations – processes, transactions, and agreements – of the upstream oil and gas industry.

“Nothing beats experience, and I love giving my clients the benefit of mine, by applying it beyond simply legal – transactional, statutory or contractual – issues, to finding creative solutions in demanding situations, like those often thrown up in Host Community matters and relations.

Like consultancy, right, except that my version has more of a ‘human face.’ With this experience, I have, for example, been able to help many Marginal Field Operators successfully navigate the rough waters of negotiating with financial/technical partners.”

Will work with companies and other organizations in a non-full-time capacity to strengthen the companies’ competencies and capacities on the areas of corporate governance and ethical law compliance, including the development and implementation of strategies, policies, processes, and practices, necessary for the foregoing.

BOARDROOM ADMINISTRATION & EXPERIENCE:

  • Non-Executive Director, GOGE Nigeria Limited – Marginal Oilfield operators (2006 – 2012);
  • Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, Mobitel Limited – Mobile telephone operators – (2009 -2012);
  • Member of the Board of Governors, the Petroleum Club, Lagos, Nigeria;
  • Member of the Advisory Board of SCMA, Nigeria;
  • Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, Theta Alpha Consults Limited;
  • Managing Director and CEO, Dispute Solutions Hub Limited (Corporate vehicle of TDSH – The Dispute Solutions Hub); and
  • Trustee, and Honorary Secretary, the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON).

PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER MEMBERSHIPS:
His other organization memberships include:

  • member, Nigerian Bar Association [Section on Business Law & Section on Legal Practice];
  • member, the Association of International Energy (formerly International Petroleum) Negotiators;
  • member, Lagos Court of Arbitration;
  • member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Center (LACIAC); and
  • Life Fellow, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation.

Outside of work, Yemi continues to pursue his passion for music as a pianist, a passion which was ignited in his secondary school days, at Kings College, Lagos. Today he is a member, performer, Honorary Secretary and Trustee, of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON). He is also an ordained Pastor and a Minister of the Word.

Apart from Yoruba, which is his native language, Yemi Akisanya speaks English with first language proficiency and has intermediate fluency, – reading and writing, – in French.

He is happily married since 1981 to Titilayo, an HR Consultant and Executive Coach, and they have children and grandchildren.