Gbenga Oyebode is the Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode (Barristers & Solicitors), one of the largest integrated law firms in Nigeria, with offices in Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt.
Gbenga was an Associate with White & Case, New York between 1982 and 1983.
Gbenga was educated at the University of Ife (LL.B Honours), and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LL.M) graduating in 1979 and 1982, respectively.
He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983).
He was conferred Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), by the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (2016) and Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria (2017). He is the Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Gbenga is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (FCIArb) and the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI). He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Bar Association (IBA). Gbenga is the past Chairman of the Section of Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Gbenga was conferred with one of Nigeria’s highest honours, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in the year 2000. He was also conferred with the Belgian Royal Honour of ‘Knight of the Order of Leopold’ in 2007. He received INSEAD’s inaugural International Directors Network (IDN) Recognition Award in 2020. He received a Lifetime Achievement award at the IFLR Africa Awards 2022 for his outstanding contributions to the Nigerian business law.
He was Chairman, Access Bank Plc (2005-2015) and Director MTN Nigeria Plc (2001-2019). He is the Chairman of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, and serves on the Boards of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc (all listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange), Socfinaf S.A (listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange). He is also the Chairman of CFAO Nigeria.
Gbenga is the Chairman of Teach For Nigeria, Chairman Teach For All, New York; Member of the Global Advisory Council of the Africa Leadership Academy, Johannesburg; Director — Jazz at the Lincoln Centre, New York and Chairman, African Philanthropy Forum. He is a Member of the Board of Trustees Carnegie Hall, New York; Member, Board of Trustees — Ford Foundation, New York; Member, Board of Trustees — The African Center, New York.
He is a Member of the International Council of Collectors — The Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio; Member, Advisory Board — Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, Washington DC and Member, International Circle, Amis du Centre Pompidou, Paris.
Gbenga was the cover story of the Forbes Africa magazine July 2018 publication headlined: “Lawyer — Investor. Gbenga Oyebode, the new face of business in Africa.”
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