George Akpan

Senior Associate

Details

George Akpan

Senior Associate

Dr. George Akpan is currently a Senior Associate at The Republic Law, but has legal professional experience in petroleum and foreign investment law spanning over three decades. With extensive experience across various industries and regions, Dr. George Akpan's expertise is highly sought after.

Having spent over thirteen years at Mobil Producing Nigeria (an ExxonMobil affiliate), Dr. George's contributions were instrumental in his rise to the position of Senior Legal Counsel before departing in 2020. During his tenure at ExxonMobil, he excelled in roles such as Associate Counsel where he oversaw all legal functions within the MPN JV Operations. Dr. George adeptly handled high-stakes negotiations, reviewing multi- billion-dollar procurement and oil and gas contracts. He also played a pivotal role in securing external financing for asset development while ensuring compliance with Nigerian laws governing the company's operations. Notably, Dr. George served as the lead lawyer advising the company on legal and policy matters pertaining to the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act, which was signed into law in 2021.

In addition to his remarkable tenure at ExxonMobil, Dr. George's career encompasses prestigious consulting roles with renowned international organizations, including the World Bank and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He has held esteemed teaching positions at globally recognized universities such as Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan and served as a visiting professor at the United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan. George's extensive publications in reputable journals have further solidified his standing as an authority in petroleum law, foreign investment, international trade, and policy. George’s wealth of experience, profound knowledge, and exceptional track record make him an invaluable asset to clients seeking unparalleled legal guidance in the realms of petroleum and investment law.

  • Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Family Law
  • Real Estate
  • Commercial Corporate Transactions
  • Oil & Gas Law
  • Foreign Investment Negotiation/Investment Dispute Settlement

  • Ph.D. in Foreign Investment Law and Policy from the National University of Singapore
  • LL.M in Petroleum Law, Policy, and Economics from the University of Dundee
  • LL.M from the University of Lagos
  • LL.B (Hons) from the University of Uyo
  • Advanced Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
  • BL. Nigerian Law School

  • Nigeria, 1990
  • Alberta, Canada, 2024

  • Law Society of Alberta
  • Nigerian Bar Association
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • International Law Association, Canada
  • Calgary Bar Association

  • Visiting Fellow, United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies
  • Visiting Scholar, WTO Centre, Aoyama Gakuin University, Shibuya, Tokyo
  • JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship, United Nations University- Institute of Advanced Studies, Japan
  • University Graduate Fellowship, National University of Singapore
  • Research Scholarship, National University of Singapore
  • Laszlo Gombos Award for Outstanding Academic Performance from the Petroleum and Mineral Law Education Trust Fund, London
  • University of Dundee Research Studentship
  • Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship Award
  • University Prize, Best Graduating Student in Law, University of Uyo

  • Anang
  • Efik
  • English