In the modern business environment, which is rapidly changing and the law can often dictate the pace and size of the business, there are a few individuals who are truly distinguished by how they manage to find the balance between what is complex and what is straightforward. They are the silent partners in successful enterprises, the go-to people who turn regulatory challenges into blueprints to success. One name has gradually emerged as the leader of this rare stock of legal thinkers, of industry, vision, and excellence. And his name is Olusola Jegede.
The story of Olusola Johnson Jegede starts in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, a town that boasts of cultural richness and a tradition of breeding trailblazers in various fields. He was an inquisitive and disciplined boy, and this would eventually define his career in the future. The thing that makes Jegede’s journey so special is the fact that he had not just the ambition but the purpose and clarity which made him take steps from the very start.
Blending Global Insight with Local Mastery
Olusola’s academic path reflects a determination to blend the best of global exposure with local grounding. In 2012, he earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. Studying abroad offered him not just a learning but a new way of thinking: he was immersed in comparative perspectives, diverse legal traditions, and a culture of intellectual rigor that sharpened his analytical skills.
Returning home to Nigeria, Jegede enrolled at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. There, he undertook the Bar qualifying training and, in 2014, was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister-at-Law (B.L.). This moment was more than a formal milestone, it marked his official entry into the Nigerian legal system, opening the door for him to apply his international exposure to local realities.
His pursuit of knowledge did not end there. In 2019, Jegede completed a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree at the University of Lagos. This advanced study added another layer to his expertise, equipping him with a refined grasp of complex legal frameworks. The combination of an international degree and local specialization proved invaluable, giving him a dual lens through which to interpret the increasingly globalized but locally nuanced world of Nigerian business law.
Early Career: Building Blocks of Experience
Even before the ink was dry on his Bar certificate, Jegede immersed himself in practice. He served as an extern at Banwo & Ighodalo, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious law firms, where he was exposed to corporate law at its highest level. That experience taught him the importance of precision, timeliness, and the ability to align legal advice with business outcomes.
Shortly after being called to the Bar, he worked briefly with Adeniyi Akintola & Co. In this early role, he was exposed to corporate law and litigation practice, gaining an appreciation for advocacy and the drama of dispute resolution. These experiences, while early, gave him a balanced introduction to both corporate and litigation practice—skills that would later allow him to serve a diverse range of clients.
But Jegede was never content with simply fitting into existing structures. With a vision of creating a practice that reflected modern realities and offered responsive, business-oriented legal solutions, he co-founded Resolution Law Firm in January 2015. Taking on the role of Managing Partner, he became not just a lawyer but a builder, establishing a brand that has since become a respected name in Nigerian law.
Resolution Law Firm: A Modern Platform
Resolution Law Firm was conceived differently from many traditional practices. Instead of large, unwieldy teams and rigid hierarchies, the firm operates with lean, agile structures designed to mirror the tempo of modern business. Jegede’s philosophy was simple: law should not slow business down; it should empower it.
Under his leadership, the firm has grown into a hub of legal excellence, serving clients across Lagos, Abuja, and internationally. It provides end-to-end legal services in sectors ranging from energy and technology to real estate and consumer goods. Importantly, the firm positions itself at the intersection of law and enterprise, helping clients not only comply with regulations but also unlock opportunities.
Why Business Law?
For Jegede, the choice of business law was deliberate. He does not see law as a set of rigid prohibitions but as architecture, a structure that enables businesses to thrive. This philosophy is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where reforms such as the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and frequent updates to tax laws continually reshape the business landscape.
His approach emphasizes clarity and actionability. He has long insisted that abstract legal advice is insufficient. Instead, clients deserve guidance that comes paired with concrete applications, steps, documents, and timelines. This results-oriented style has set him apart as a lawyer who not only interprets the law but also operationalizes it for business success.
Core Practice Areas: Depth and Breadth
- Corporate and Commercial
Jegede’s corporate and commercial practice spans the full lifecycle of business operations. From company incorporation and founder agreements to mergers, acquisitions, and governance, his work ensures that businesses are structurally sound and ready for growth. His drafting style emphasizes simplicity without sacrificing precision, producing documents that are enforceable yet clear.
- Foreign Direct Investment and Market Entry
Navigating Nigeria’s regulatory maze can be daunting for international investors. Jegede specializes in simplifying this journey, structuring entities, handling tax registration, securing sector-specific licenses, and even coordinating expatriate quotas. His phased, stepwise approach allows companies to launch quickly without compromising compliance.
- Intellectual Property
In an era where brands and ideas are core assets, Jegede has built a strong reputation in intellectual property law. He advises on trademark registration, enforcement strategies, coexistence agreements, and licensing frameworks. He treats intellectual property not as a passive formality but as an active business strategy, a moat that safeguards competitive advantage.
- Real Estate and Property
Property transactions in Nigeria demand rigorous diligence, and Jegede has distinguished himself by identifying risks early and structuring agreements to mitigate them. From title verification to development agreements, his work reflects a meticulous eye and a pragmatic approach that protects clients’ investments.
- Regulatory and Licensing
Whether securing oil and gas permits, gaming licenses, or data-protection compliance, Jegede has earned a reputation for preparing regulator-ready files. His disciplined approach often makes the difference between delayed approvals and timely, seamless operations.
Recognition and Honors
Jegede’s career has been adorned with significant recognitions.
In 2023, he received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in International Law and Diplomacy from Prowess University in Delaware, USA. The award recognized his contributions to international law and diplomacy, affirming his influence beyond Nigeria’s borders.
In November 2024, he was conferred with the Nigerian Achievement Award for his outstanding service to the legal profession and public life. This award reflected his reputation as a lawyer deeply committed to justice, ethics, and the rule of law.
From 2021 to 2025, his articles consistently ranked among the most popular on the Mondaq platform across multiple categories, including real estate, environmental law, intellectual property, employment, and finance. These accolades highlight his thought leadership and ability to communicate complex legal issues in accessible ways.
These recognitions are not just plaques on the wall; they are testaments to a lawyer who has consistently balanced technical excellence with public service.
Writing as Service
Jegede is a prolific author whose articles and guides are known for their clarity and practical utility. Unlike many legal writings that remain academic or inaccessible, his work is crafted for entrepreneurs, in-house counsel, and investors who need clear direction.
His book, Trademark Registration and Law in Nigeria, Explanations and Materials, distills technical procedures into actionable insights. It is valued by practitioners and business leaders alike for its stepwise explanations and readability. For Jegede, writing is not an afterthought but an extension of his client service, ensuring that accurate legal knowledge is accessible to a broader audience.
Representative Matters: Practice in Action
Jegede’s representative matters offer a window into his practical approach:
Market Entry for a Consumer Brand: He guided an international consumer goods company through Nigerian entry—covering entity formation, trademark filings, distributor contracts, and advertising compliance. His sequencing strategy allowed a smooth launch without breaching regulatory thresholds.
Real Estate Development: He managed due diligence and agreements for urban property acquisition, resolving legacy title issues and structuring milestone-based payments.
Licensing and Compliance: For a fintech-enabled lending company, he coordinated a suite of sectoral approvals, ensuring compliance from day one and avoiding costly retrofits.
Gaming and Renewable Energy Companies: He has supported multinational entrants into Nigeria’s gaming and renewable energy sectors, handling formation, licensing, and compliance with efficiency.
Dispute Resolution: In arbitration and winding-up proceedings, he has demonstrated his ability to represent clients with discipline and foresight, ensuring files are complete and narratives coherent.
Each case reflects a pattern: clarity, sequencing, and an insistence on documentation that works.
Mentorship, Ethics, and Client Care
Jegede is not only a lawyer but also a mentor and teacher. He regularly shares practical insights with SMEs, young lawyers, and entrepreneurs, equipping them with checklists, sample clauses, and frameworks they can apply immediately.
His commitment to ethics and professionalism is equally strong. He emphasizes transparent fees, clear engagement terms, and absolute confidentiality. He tells clients not what they want to hear but what they need to hear, guidance grounded in realism, even when it may be unpopular.
The Human Dimension
Colleagues describe Jegede as disciplined, early to arrive, and meticulous in preparation. Outside his practice, he is a wide reader, engaging into fields such as economics, technology, and organizational behavior. He believes that broader knowledge enriches legal strategy. He also supports initiatives aimed at improving legal literacy among SMEs, convinced that better-informed entrepreneurs create healthier businesses and, by extension, a stronger economy.
Looking Ahead
Nigeria’s business landscape is shifting rapidly, with opportunities in digital identity, payments innovation, creative industries, and renewable energy. Jegede plans to expand Resolution Law Firm’s capacity in sectors where technology and regulation converge while strengthening its cross-border reach across Africa. His roadmap is to stay adaptive without losing sight of the fundamentals, clear drafting, ethical advocacy, and steady client relationships.
Why Clients Choose Him
At the end of the day, clients choose Jegede because he delivers both outcomes and peace of mind. He offers not just legal advice but reliable systems around client objectives. His combination of commercial realism and disciplined process ensures that businesses can act with confidence, knowing their legal foundations are secure.
A Modern Legal Professional
Dr. Olusola Johnson Jegede represents the qualities that define the modern lawyer: global perspective, local mastery, entrepreneurial vision, and unyielding ethics. His journey from Ilesa to Managing Partner of Resolution Law Firm embodies clarity, resilience, and dedication.
At a time when Nigeria’s legal and business environment is both complex and promising, Jegede stands out as a steady hand at the crossroads of law and enterprise. For founders seeking traction, investors seeking assurance, and corporations seeking sustainable growth, he offers what few can: informed judgment, dependable delivery, and a vision rooted in both justice and progress.