Olumide Akpata

**Olumide Akpata** (born 7 October 1972) is a Nigerian legal practitioner, business law expert, and political figure. He is most widely recognized for his tenure as the 30th President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from 2020 to 2022, and for his recent foray into Nigerian politics.Early Life and Education Akpata was born on 7 October 1972, in Edo State, Nigeria (some sources indicate Berlin, Germany). He began his primary education at Nana Primary School in Warri, Delta State, before attending Federal Government College, Warri, and later King's College in Lagos for his secondary education. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo State in 1992. Akpata was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School. He completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano State.Legal Career and Major Achievements Upon completing his national service, Akpata joined the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. in Warri, Delta State, where he specialized in legal practice. After relocating to Lagos in 1996, he became deeply involved in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). A significant part of his career was dedicated to business law. He served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), where he was instrumental in shaping commercial legal practice in Nigeria. His most notable professional achievement was his election as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association on 30 July 2020. He was elected after winning against two other candidates, Babatunde Ajibade and Dele Adesina. Akpata succeeded Paul Usoro and served his two-year term, focusing on judicial reforms, welfare for legal practitioners, and enhancing the rule of law in Nigeria. His presidency concluded in 2022, and he was succeeded by Yakubu Maikyau.Current Status Following a highly successful career in law, Akpata transitioned into Nigerian politics. He is currently the Labour Party's governorship candidate for the upcoming Edo State 2024 election, marking a new phase in his public life.