Sola POPOOLA
Renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Tony Elumelu, CFR, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 edition of the WOC Justice Summit, where he is expected to examine the role of the rule of law in promoting private sector growth and economic transformation.
Elumelu, the immediate past Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc, currently serves as Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Hotels Plc, and is Chairman-designate of Seplat Energy Plc.
According to a statement by Wole Olanipekun & Co., Elumelu’s keynote is titled, “The Rule of Law as a Catalyst for Private Sector Growth and Economic Transformation”.
The summit, an initiative of Wole Olanipekun & Co., is scheduled to hold on *November 19, 2026, at the Body of Benchers’ Complex, Abuja.
It will be held under the theme: *“From Precedent to Possibility: The Lawyer’s Role in Shaping the Next Fifty Years of Justice, Democracy and Public Trust.”*
With footprints in financial services, power, energy, hospitality, technology and healthcare, he is expected to address the relationship between the administration of justice, the security of economic rights, the prosperity of private enterprises, and the overall economic advancement of the nation.
The summit will bring together eminent speakers to examine the evolving role of the legal profession in protecting commerce, strengthening democratic institutions, advancing justice and safeguarding the rule of law.
The summit, scheduled for November 19, 2026, at the Body of Benchers’ Complex, Abuja, will also feature the unveiling of a six-volume publication titled Wole Olanipekun Through the Cases by President Bola Tinubu.
It is also expected to attract leading policymakers and decision-makers across all arms of government at both the federal and state levels.
A major highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of a six-volume publication titled _Wole Olanipekun Through the Cases_ by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The collection features analyses and commentaries on landmark cases involving the firm’s founder, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, spanning his 50-year legal career since his call to the Nigerian Bar in 1976.
The unveiling comes a day after Olanipekun’s 75th birthday on November 18, 2026, and in commemoration of his 50 years at the Bar.
Chief Oluwole Oladapo Olanipekun was born on November 18, 1951, in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He attended Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, and Ilesa Grammar School, before studying Law at the University of Lagos.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1976 and attained the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 1991, just 15 years after his call. At the time, he was among the youngest advocates to be conferred with the honour.
His public service includes:
– *Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State* (1991-1993).
– *President, Nigerian Bar Association* (2002-2004)
– *Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Ibadan* (2004-2006)
– *Life Bencher, Body of Benchers* (since January 2007)
– *Former Chairman, Body of Benchers*
– *Current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos*l
As founder and Principal Partner of Wole Olanipekun & Co., he built one of Nigeria’s leading law firms, handling constitutional, commercial, electoral, maritime, banking and international legal matters.
His advocacy in the landmark case of _Inakoju v. Adeleke_ established that impeachment proceedings must strictly comply with constitutional provisions, leading to the reinstatement of former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
Beyond the courtroom, Olanipekun is known for philanthropy and education advocacy. Through the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme, established in 1996, hundreds of financially disadvantaged students have received support to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and other professionals.
He holds the national honours of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR, 2012) and Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR, 2022).
The 2026 summit is conceived as a platform for generating ideas on improving justice delivery in Nigeria. By pairing Elumelu’s business perspective with Olanipekun’s five decades of legal precedent, organisers say the event will look beyond the past to shape the next 50 years of justice, democracy and public trust.