Job Description The Company Secretary/Head, Legal will be responsible for leading the Bank's legal, corporate governance, and company secretarial functions. The role provides strategic legal guidance, ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, coordinates Board activities, and safeguards the Bank's legal and corporate interests. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to Executive Management and the Board of Directors on legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters while supporting the Bank's strategic objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Legal Advisory and Corporate Legal Services
• Provide strategic and practical legal advice to Management on operational, commercial, employment, corporate, and regulatory matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documentation.
• Ensure legal adequacy and compliance of business transactions, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.
• Identify legal risks and provide recommendations to mitigate exposure.
• Coordinate litigation, dispute resolution, debt recovery, and engagements with external solicitors where necessary.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations affecting the Bank and provide timely guidance to Management.
• Provide legal support for corporate transactions, new product initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Corporate Governance and Company Secretarial Functions
• Serve as Company Secretary to the Board of Directors and Board Committees.
• Coordinate Board, Committee, and Shareholders' meetings.
• Prepare meeting notices, agendas, Board papers, minutes, and resolutions.
• Maintain statutory books, registers, and corporate records.
• Ensure proper implementation and documentation of Board resolutions.
• Advise the Board and Management on corporate governance principles and best practices.
• Coordinate Board induction programmes, governance training, and Board performance evaluations. Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations, and other statutory requirements.
• Coordinate regulatory filings, disclosures, and statutory submissions.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, legal advisers, auditors, and other stakeholders on governance and compliance matters.
• Support internal compliance initiatives and governance reviews. Risk Management and Internal Control
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Support the development and implementation of governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Assist in policy reviews and ensure legal compliance across business operations.
• Collaborate with Internal Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management functions to strengthen organizational controls.
Stakeholder Management
• Maintain effective relationships with regulators, external counsel, service providers, and other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication between the Board, Management, shareholders, and regulators. • Represent the Bank on legal, governance, and regulatory matters where required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B).
• Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) and qualified to practice in Nigeria.
• Minimum of 8–12 years post-call experience, preferably within banking, financial services, fintech, corporate legal practice, or another regulated institution.
• Demonstrable experience in company secretarial practice and corporate governance.
• Membership of the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN) or a similar professional body will be an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of CAMA, banking regulations, corporate governance principles, employment law, contract law, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting Boards of Directors and Executive Management teams is highly desirable.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Company Secretarial Practice
• Corporate Governance
• Regulatory Compliance
• Contract Drafting and Negotiation
• Legal Research and Advisory
• Risk Management • Board Administration
• Stakeholder Management
• Report Writing and Documentation
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• High Ethical Standards and Professional Integrity
• Confidentiality and Sound Judgment
