A Nigerian lawyer cum politician, Asue Ighodalo, stands among major contenders in the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
The 65-year-old indigene of Okaigben, Ewohimi, in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, is competing for the highest political position in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other two major contenders in the poll scheduled for September 21 are Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
PDP’s Asue Ighodalo’s Profile
Naijaonpoint reports that as the 2024 gubernatorial race in Edo State intensifies, the spotlight is firmly on Asue Ighodalo and other top contenders.
It is worth noting that Ighodalo is a distinguished businessman, attorney, and supporter of charitable causes in Nigeria.
Ighodalo comes from a lineage with a solid educational and professional heritage, which has surely shaped his ambitions.
Ighodalo’s Educational Background
Ighodalo secured his initial academic qualification in Economics from the University of Ibadan, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE.
His career in the business sector started in the legal arena, where he worked as an attorney, accumulating significant experience in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Ighodalo became a distinguished attorney, focusing on corporate and commercial law, building a solid base for his future projects.
In collaboration with his partners, Ighodalo established Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo, a law firm that has evolved into one of Nigeria’s premier commercial law firms. Under his guidance, the firm has served many clients, including global companies, financial bodies, and governmental entities.
The firm has become a beacon of excellence in corporate and commercial law, and it remains a key player in developing Nigeria’s legal framework.
Asue Ighodalo’s Career And Business Profile
Asue Ighodalo’s entrepreneurial drive and sharp business insight have propelled him to expand his endeavours beyond the legal field.
He actively participates in multiple industries, such as finance, energy, real estate, and hospitality, maintaining various business interests that have established him as a significant figure in Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
As the co-founder of Banwo & Ighodalo, one of Nigeria’s leading corporate and commercial law firms, Ighodalo oversees a team of 15 partners and more than 100 lawyers.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan and a law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, gaining admission to the Nigerian Bar in July 1985.
His primary areas of expertise include corporate and project finance, securities and capital markets, energy and natural resources, as well as mergers and acquisitions.
Ighodalo is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (where he served as Chairman of the Section on Business Law from 2014 to 2016), the International Bar Association (specifically the Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section), the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, the Institute of Directors Nigeria, the Commercial Law and Taxation Committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
In addition, Asue serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sterling Bank Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Levene Energy Group Limited, the Edo State Investment Summit, DO II Designs Limited, and Global Mix Limited.
He is also a board member of Mainstreet Technologies Limited (the parent company of MainOne Cable Limited), Cardinal Stone Partners, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, the Christopher Kolade Foundation, Boff&Co. Insurance Brokers, the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (an NGO dedicated to the advancement of healthcare practitioners), and the Kashim Ibrahim Foundation in Kaduna (an NGO focused on developing leadership skills among Nigerian youth).
Asue Ighodalo recently concluded his tenure as the Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and has also held a position on the Board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority from May 2017 to May 2021. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of Dangote Flour Mills Plc.
Ighodalo has consistently been recognized as a “Tier 1” or “Leading lawyer” across all his practice areas by prominent international legal directories.
He has contributed numerous articles to esteemed legal publications and has presented on a variety of topics, including a biannual seminar on the ‘Contemporary Political History of Nigeria’ for the Nigerian Leadership Initiative Future Leaders class and the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship (KIF) class.
He has also lectured on the responsibilities of directors and corporate governance at the Lagos Business School and the Institute of Directors. In November 2021, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Economics (D.Litt) (Honoris Causa) by Edo University, Uzairue, Edo State.
Ighodalo is committed to lifelong learning and continuous professional development, having pursued various trainings and certifications. These include programs at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in 2023, Stanford Directors’ College in 2019, INSEAD International Directors Programme in 2016, Harvard Business School’s Making Corporate Boards More Effective in 2015, Aspen Institute’s Nigeria Leadership Seminar in 2006, Harvard Business School’s Governing for Non-Profit Excellence in 2004, and Georgetown University’s Georgetown Leadership Seminar in 2003.
Asue Ighodalo’s Hobbies
Findings revealed that the PDP governorship candidate, in his leisure time, enjoys golfing, watching football, reading, travelling, and engaging in political discussions.
He is married to Ifeyinwa, a furniture manufacturer and interior designer, and they have a daughter, Omoehi, who is a serial entrepreneur.