IQUO ESSIEN
Abuja Nigeria--PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Versatile Legal Professional with experience in Corporate Commercial Law, Media and
Telecommunication Law, Intellectual Property, and Fintech. Over 3 years of practice, I have excelled in
providing strategic counsel across diverse legal domains, demonstrating proficiency in negotiating
complex agreements, ensuring regulatory compliance, safeguarding intellectual property rights, and
effectively representing clients in the courtroom. This multifaceted background uniquely positions me
to offer comprehensive legal solutions, combining expertise in corporate governance, technology, and
intellectual property to meet the varied needs of clients in today's dynamic legal landscape.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2014 - 2019
Nigerian Law School (BL)
2020 - 2021
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Associate
2022 - Present
The Firma Advisory, Abuja
● Advised high-profile tech clients, notably Apple Inc., on intricate legal matters within the
Nigerian business landscape, achieving a commendable 85% compliance rate and mitigation of
potential risks for the clients.
● Advised Fintechs and other financial institutions on various Anti-Money Laundering laws and
international regulations, to mitigate risks associated with money laundering and terrorism
financing.
● Prepared and Reviewed Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence forms for Fintech
companies to ensure compliance with KYC requirements and mitigate risks associated with
fraud and other financial crimes.
● Prepared various compliance policies, such as the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the
Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Policy, Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) Policy, Privacy
Policy, Cybersecurity Policy and Business Continuity Plan.
● Drafted and negotiated a variety of agreements critical to the fintech space, including licensing
agreements, partnership agreements, technology contracts, and service-level agreements while
ensuring that these agreements align with regulatory requirements to protect the clients'
interests.
● Engaged in safeguarding clients' intellectual property rights by providing comprehensive
assistance in intellectual property protection. Ensured clients experienced unimpeded benefits
from their intellectual products by strategically navigating legal landscapes to prevent and
address any potential interference.
● Facilitated the training of staff at a prominent fintech company on the new anti-money
laundering provisions and international best practices on anti-money laundering regulations.
● Assisted with the interpretation of laws and regulations to enable Clients to comply with relevant
laws, ensuring legal compliance.
● Navigated complex legal and regulatory changes, offering insightful guidance to clients on the
implications of these changes on their businesses. My strategic guidance was pivotal in bolstering
clients’ decision-making capabilities, directly contributing to the 15% increase in clients’
successful navigation of regulatory shifts.
● Involved in the development of a cutting-edge high-tech legal access app which significantly
amplified the accessibility and reach of the Firm’s legal services across Africa. This
technology-driven solution increased the Firm’s client base by 25%, marking a remarkable
expansion of its service footprint.
● Oversee the maintenance of the Firm's website, consistently contributing to its value by
publishing pertinent legal articles and ensuring the continual update of relevant materials. This
proactive management not only enhanced the firm's online presence but also provided clients
with readily accessible and current legal resources, fostering increased engagement and
knowledge dissemination.
● Engaged in the management of the Firm’s social media platforms, strategically leveraging online
presence to enhance the firm's visibility within the legal and technology sectors. This initiative
facilitated effective communication and engagement with a broader audience, contributing to the
firm's growth and positioning me as a tech-savvy lawyer attuned to contemporary
communication channels and industry trends.
Member
2022 - Present
Africa Policy Conversations, Abuja
● Orchestrated the promotion and management of the United Nations General Assembly side
event in 2023, leveraging the organization's social media platforms to reach a diverse audience
and expertly overseeing event registration for 800 participants from across Africa.
● Actively engaged with influential stakeholders and policymakers to facilitate meaningful
discussions on critical public policies, fostering the exchange of innovative ideas and solutions.
● Orchestrated the administration of the AFPC UNGA Side-event deal room, serving as a pivotal
platform through which investors were seamlessly introduced to innovative startups for potential
funding opportunities. This role involved meticulous coordination and facilitation, contributing
to the successful connection of investment entities with promising ventures across Africa.
● Played a key role in supporting lawmaker training initiatives in Nigeria, empowering legislators
with essential knowledge and tools for informed decision-making on policies impacting the
well-being of the Nigerian populace.
● Conducted comprehensive research on pressing policy issues, producing and publishing in-depth
reports on the organization's website, providing valuable resources for policymakers, researchers,
and the general public.
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
Programs Coordinator
2021 - Present
Access to Justice Initiative (The Firma Advisory)
● Spearheaded initiatives and facilitated dialogues to drive conversations on environmental
sustainability, engaging schools and communities in discussions promoting the transition to a
circular economy.
● Demonstrated a track record of proactive engagement with policymakers to advocate for
environmental sustainability policies, resulting in changes that positively affected the lives of
indigent members of society.
● Spearheaded transformative humanitarian projects which resulted in the grant of freedom for
over 20 inmates from the Nigeria prison custody.
● Advocate for the rights of children with major emphasis on the Nigerian Child’s Rights Act
● Provided relief materials to people in IDP camps across Nigeria and provided waste disposable
bins to rural communities in Nigeria
CERTIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
● Associate Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria
● Certificate of Completion of the Global Learning Experience on Public Health and Forced
Migration - De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois
● Certificate of Achievement on Policy Making - British Council
● General Course on Intellectual Property Law - WIPO
● Dispute resolution, Advocacy, Legal Writing, Research, Teamwork, Analytical and
problem-solving, Microsoft Office suites: Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Canva
REFEREE
Available on request
