I was a frequent diner at a restaurant in Wellesley, Massachusetts, a few years ago. Over time, I became familiar with a man named Didier, whom I often saw moving gracefully through the restaurant. We exchanged nods and smiles, nothing more, until one day, I discovered that he was the manager. Didier is from Côte d’Ivoire, and like me, he stood out in that mostly Caucasian crowd. What began as a polite conversation soon evolved into a friendship.

I invited Didier and his family to watch the Africa Cup of Nations final with me last February. His beloved Ivorian team went on to win. However, his knowledge about every player on the field, including those from Nigeria, and his heartwarming interactions with his children. He shared his professional journey, and his success only reinforced the beautiful African proverb: not everyone who chased the zebra caught it, but he who caught it chased it.

Like those players on the soccer pitch, many young Africans today leave indelible marks across various fields: sports, academia, business, technology, healthcare, the creative arts, etc. Some are even winning political elections and establishing themselves in the public service of their adopted countries. Whether raised on the continent or carrying only the name of their forebears, they shine brightly. We must celebrate this accomplishment, even as we acknowledge the painful truth: many of these talents might never have emerged had they remained at home, caught in systems that often reward mediocrity over merit. Still, we press forward, celebrating progress and advocating for better.

Against this backdrop, I read an announcement recently from Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO), a leading Nigerian law firm, that brought immense pride to my heart. My dear friend and brother, Aniekan Ukpanah, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lex Mundi, the world’s oldest and leading global network of independent law firms. The announcement stated:

We are incredibly proud to share a historic milestone for Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie: our Senior Partner, Aniekan Ukpanah, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lex Mundi Bringing the Best Together, the world’s leading network of independent law firms. His appointment was officially announced today, May 9th, 2025, at the Lex Mundi Annual Meeting in Nashville. This recognition reflects Aniekan’s visionary leadership, global acumen, and unwavering commitment to legal excellence.

Having served as Secretary of the Board from 2023 to 2024 and as Chair-Elect from 2024 to 2025, Aniekan has already played a key role in Lex Mundi’s strategic transformation. With 150+ member firms and 23,000+ lawyers in over 125 jurisdictions, Lex Mundi stands as a global legal force. Aniekan’s leadership will further UUBO’s collaboration with top-tier firms and enable us to deliver even more strategic, seamless, and innovative solutions to our clients worldwide.

This is no small feat. It is a triumph not just for UUBO but for Nigeria’s legal community and everyone who believes in the power of perseverance, integrity, and quiet excellence.

My admiration for UUBO had long been established. However, it was further cemented in 2014 during the firm’s 30th-anniversary celebration. The event was held at a newly opened hotel on Victoria Island, though the familiar Lagos parking chaos tried to mar it, the evening was stellar. The audience was a vibrant blend of captains of industry, seasoned professionals, and politicians who once shared courtrooms and lecture halls with the hosts but now wielded power in public office. One such guest was my friend, the then Governor of Akwa Ibom State and now Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who came to honour the firm.

What impressed me most was not the lavish setting or the crowd but the palpable sense of purpose and legacy. The Founder of the firm, Udoma Udo Udoma and Senior Partner, Myma Belo-Osagie (both now retired from the firm) stood gracefully, exuding professionalism and humility. The baton had been passed to a new generation. Dan Agbor, with his statesmanlike poise, was flanked by Aniekan, Jumoke Lambo, Uzoma Azikiwe, Folake Elias-Adebowale, Yinka Edu, and others. It was clear that the firm was in steady, capable hands. UUBO may not be an oil giant or a multinational conglomerate, but its internal culture mirrors the best global practices—meritocratic, ethical, and forward-thinking. It created the right conditions for Aniekan and others to thrive.

I have known Aniekan for decades. We both grew up in Calabar. His father, the late Architect (he preferred Elder) Enobong Ukpanah, was my first employer. I secured the job after he visited my family and found me idling after my school certificate examinations. Displeased with my “I am resting” response, he instructed me to report to his Ukpanah and Ukpanah Associates firm on Kent Street the following Monday. I spent that holiday running errands, barely understanding architectural blueprints, but I was well compensated and learnt a great deal. Most importantly, I was exposed to strict discipline, which every young person needs, especially from someone other than their parents. That meant a lot!

Aniekan’s journey from those early Calabar days to leading the world’s largest network of independent law firms has been marked by quiet resolve, consistent growth, and deep-rooted values. After returning from the United Kingdom and completing the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, he did his National Youth Service at UUBO and never left. Thirty-seven years of commitment to one firm is rare. Rarer is rising steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming the managing partner, and today, the senior partner and a global leader.

What makes a young man with a distinguished background choose to stay with one employer? The answer must be his character and the culture around him. Aniekan is rooted in loyalty, integrity, professionalism, and hard work. He has provided counsel on intricate international transactions, such as complex financing, energy deals, capital markets, infrastructure projects, and public-private partnerships, consistently bringing value and trust to the table.

Coming from a country facing global perception challenges, success on the world stage requires more than competence. It demands integrity. And Aniekan has never wavered. While others have faltered, he has remained steadfast, consistent, reliable, and ethical. That is why he has not only been invited to the global table but has also been entrusted to lead it.

His story also serves as a beacon for young Nigerian lawyers and professionals, including those who may lack access to top-tier firms or international exposure or view loyalty to an organisation as outdated. The lesson is simple: never give up on hard work, humility, and personal development, and remain faithful to your employer. Even if the world doesn’t recognise you yet, prepare for when it does.

In May 2021, the Nigerian Bar Association in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, invited me to speak on The Legal Profession and the Emerging Global Economy. Having spent over thirty years at an international oil company, I understood global trends and, in some respects, how far the nation lagged, despite various policy statements, including efforts related to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s Ease of Doing Business initiative. Since the event was in Akwa Ibom state, it was easy to journey into the past and observe how vibrant the state’s economy would have been if the marine transport systems between Calabar and Oron, established in the 1970s, continued to thrive. It would have also been interesting to see how robust the state’s economic landscape would have been by now if industries like the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company in Oku-Iboku, the Sunshine Batteries Limited in Ikot Ekpene, the Qua Steel Company in Eket, the Egbughu Fishing Terminal in Mbo, the Quality Ceramics Company in Itu, and many others had fulfilled their promises. You may wonder why I focused on companies established some decades ago. It is because Mobil Producing Nigeria, located in Eket, which was established at about the same time, is still waxing strong after over fifty years of operations. So, what went wrong with the ones mentioned above and many others littered across the country?

More painfully, since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999, it has been a tale of woe concerning the sustainability of businesses established by the Akwa Ibom State government, as most cease to exist after ribbon-cutting ceremonies or falter soon after commencing operations. Regrettably, no one is asking questions, no one is held accountable, and we move on! Even the signature Ibom Deep Sea Port, which has consumed millions of dollars over the last two decades and has been promoted by successive regimes, continues to face delays. Unfortunately, there are minimal updates for the people who are its owners. And for clarity, I am not referring to scant press releases but to a comprehensive update, not merely as a matter of accountability, but to enable all stakeholders to appreciate the efforts of the state government, identify barriers, devise programmes to mitigate them, and drive this project to a successful conclusion, given its enormous benefits to the people. A similar approach should be adopted for other government-funded businesses.

Our young professionals must be encouraged to dream big and expand their knowledge despite this economic bleakness. As part of my address that day, I offered to assemble some resource persons to impart knowledge in various fields complementary to what is currently provided by the Nigerian Bar Association. The scope included Project Finance, Infrastructure Law, Oil and Gas matters, Energy, Ethics, Tax, Advocacy, Aviation, and Arbitration. I was pleased that Aniekan immediately signed up, along with Dr. Sam Amadi, Dr. George Akpan, Mr. Edo Ukpong, Ms. Ime Okon, Mr. Inam Wilson, Retired Justice Ifiok Ukana, and others. Now that Aniekan continues to embrace opportunities beyond Nigeria, his services will increasingly be welcomed.

Aniekan’s generosity towards capacity development extends beyond legal matters. Over the past decade, he has consistently sponsored the Inoyo Toro Foundation’s annual award for outstanding mathematics teachers in public secondary schools throughout Akwa Ibom state. This act is more than philanthropy. It is a tribute to his late mother, Deaconess Georgina Enobong Ukpanah, a mathematics teacher at Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School, Calabar, who laid the foundation for Aniekan’s understanding of Finance and Economics. We are grateful he could honour his mother’s legacy by investing in future generations.

So, to my friend and brother, Aniekan Ukpanah: congratulations on your appointment as Chairman of Lex Mundi’s Board of Directors. With over 23,000 lawyers across 125 jurisdictions, this position is of immense responsibility. But I know you will lead with diligence, grace, and integrity, because that’s who you are.

Thank you for demonstrating that excellence speaks loudly when rooted in character. In a world seeking trustworthy individuals, you stand tall, are esteemed by your global peers, and are deeply respected at home.

Inoyo is a former Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil Companies in Nigeria