- The General Company Secretary (GCS) will provide strategic legal leadership, corporate governance oversight, and comprehensive legal advisory services to the organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, protecting the Company's legal and commercial interests, managing litigation and dispute resolution, overseeing contractual obligations, and advising Management and the Board on legal risks and corporate governance matters.
- The role requires a highly experienced legal professional with sound commercial judgement, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven track record in corporate law, property and real estate transactions, regulatory compliance, contract management, and board governance. The successful candidate will work closely with Management and relevant directorates to support business objectives while safeguarding the Company's legal, financial, and reputational interests.
Legal Advisory and Risk Management
- Provide strategic legal advice to the Board, Management, and relevant directorates on corporate, commercial, property, employment, and regulatory matters.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks arising from the Company's business operations.
- Develop and implement legal policies, procedures, and risk management frameworks.
- Ensure that business decisions and operational activities comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
- Advise Management on emerging legal issues that may affect the Company's operations, investments, and strategic objectives.
Corporate Governance and Company Secretarial Functions
- Advise the Board of Directors and Management on corporate governance principles, statutory obligations, and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Organise and coordinate Board and committee meetings, including preparation of agendas, meeting papers, minutes, and resolutions.
- Maintain statutory registers, corporate records, and other mandatory company documentation.
- Ensure timely filing of statutory returns and other required corporate documents with the relevant regulatory authorities.
- Monitor compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), applicable regulations, and internal governance policies.
- Advise on corporate restructuring, changes in company structure, and other governance-related transactions.
Real Estate and Property Law
- Oversee legal due diligence for land acquisitions, property disposals, leases, development projects, and other real estate transactions.
- Review and advise on title documents, deeds of assignment, certificates of occupancy, leases, development agreements, and other property-related instruments.
- Ensure appropriate legal verification of land ownership, title validity, encumbrances, and other potential property risks.
- Support the resolution of land disputes, property claims, boundary issues, and other estate-related legal matters.
- Advise Management on property transactions, regulatory approvals, and compliance with applicable land and planning laws.
Contract Management and Commercial Transactions
- Draft, review, negotiate, and approve contracts, memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, procurement agreements, and other commercial instruments.
- Ensure that contractual terms protect the Company's interests and adequately address liabilities, indemnities, payment obligations, and dispute resolution.
- Establish effective contract review, approval, execution, and monitoring processes.
- Advise Management on contractual breaches, termination, claims, and enforcement of contractual rights.
- Support strategic negotiations with investors, contractors, consultants, suppliers, and business partners.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Oversee litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution proceedings involving the Company.
- Coordinate external solicitors and monitor their performance, legal strategy, and associated costs.
- Develop strategies to minimise litigation exposure and resolve disputes efficiently.
- Maintain an updated register of legal cases, claims, judgments, and outstanding legal obligations.
- Provide Management with periodic reports on litigation exposure, case progress, and potential financial implications.
Regulatory Compliance and Internal Controls
- Monitor compliance with relevant statutory, regulatory, and industry requirements.
- Liaise with regulatory agencies, government authorities, external counsel, and other relevant institutions on legal and compliance matters.
- Develop and maintain compliance frameworks and procedures to reduce legal and regulatory exposure.
- Investigate and advise on suspected legal violations, contractual irregularities, and governance breaches.
- Collaborate with Human Capital Management, Internal Audit, Finance, Procurement, and other directorates on employment, disciplinary, compliance, and operational matters.
Leadership and Stakeholder Management
- Provide leadership, direction, and professional development for the Legal Department.
- Establish performance standards, work plans, and accountability mechanisms for legal personnel.
- Manage the Company's external legal advisers and ensure value for money in legal services.
- Promote legal awareness across the organisation through training and internal advisory sessions.
- Prepare periodic reports on legal risks, compliance status, litigation, contract exposure, and other matters requiring Management's attention.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognised university.
- Barrister-at-Law (BL) qualification and current enrolment as a legal practitioner in Nigeria.
- Minimum of 15 years' relevant post-call legal experience, preferably in a reputable corporate organisation, law firm, real estate company, property development company, or related industry.
- Demonstrable experience in corporate and commercial law, company secretarial practice, corporate governance, contract negotiation, and litigation management.
- Strong knowledge of Nigerian corporate law, particularly CAMA, property and land laws, employment law, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Proven experience advising senior executives, boards, or equivalent leadership structures.
- Evidence of handling complex commercial transactions, property documentation, and high-value legal matters.
- Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) or another relevant professional body will be an advantage, particularly for the company secretarial function.
- Strategic legal and commercial judgement.
- Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent drafting, analytical, and legal research abilities.
- High standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
- Strong risk assessment and dispute resolution capabilities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.
- Strong organisational, reporting, and team management capabilities.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Performance in this role will be assessed against the following areas:
- Regulatory and Statutory Compliance: Timely completion of statutory filings and compliance obligations.
- Contract Management Efficiency: Timely review, negotiation, and processing of contracts in accordance with approved service timelines.
- Litigation and Dispute Management: Effective management of legal cases, resolution of disputes, and control of external legal costs.
- Legal Risk Mitigation: Reduction of preventable legal exposure and implementation of appropriate risk controls.
- Corporate Governance Effectiveness: Timely preparation of Board documentation, accurate maintenance of statutory records, and effective governance support.
- Real Estate Transaction Security: Quality and completeness of legal due diligence and property documentation.
- Internal Client Satisfaction: Responsiveness and quality of legal support provided to Management and directorates.
- Team Performance and Development: Effective supervision, professional development, and delivery of departmental objectives.