Ayodele Kotey B.A., LL.B., LL.M., ACIS, DCP

Ayodele Kotey is a Corporate Lawyer, Chartered Company Secretary, Governance Professional and International Development Strategist with over 10 years of experience advising multinational companies, investment platforms, development institutions, government stakeholders and high-growth businesses across corporate governance, legal advisory, investment facilitation, public-private partnerships and economic development.

She has built a career at the intersection of law, business, policy and international cooperation, supporting organisations to navigate complex regulatory environments, structure strategic partnerships, mobilise investment and strengthen institutional governance.

In addition to her legal and corporate governance practice, Ayodele has developed substantial experience in investment facilitation, stakeholder engagement, government relations and international economic development initiatives. In January 2026, she served as Chair of the Content, Programme, Communication and Media Committee for Nigeria House Davos at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where she led content strategy and coordinated engagement involving government officials, multilateral institutions, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and private-sector leaders.

As Principal Partner at AYON Legal, she advises boards, investors, founders and corporate clients on governance, regulatory compliance, market entry, business structuring, investment transactions and strategic partnerships. She has led legal due diligence and transaction structuring for investments and acquisitions, negotiated joint ventures and shareholder arrangements, and advised on real estate and development transactions exceeding ₦5 billion.

Her professional experience spans AYON Legal, Levitikal Group, Woodhall Capital, Blackstone Legal Advisory Services, SIAO Partners and 11 Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc), providing exposure to legal, commercial, regulatory and governance matters across financial services, energy, infrastructure, real estate, technology, manufacturing, logistics and other sectors.

Ayodele is passionate about leveraging strategic partnerships, investment and institutional governance to advance industrialisation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development across Africa. Her work brings together governments, investors, development partners, multilateral institutions and private-sector leaders to develop practical solutions to complex investment and economic challenges.

Ayodele is a Chartered Secretary and Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Compliance Institute of Nigeria, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, INSOL International Future Leaders Programme and Women in Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ).

She holds an LL.M in International & Commercial Law and an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, a Barrister-at-Law qualification from the Nigerian Law School, and a B.A. in Political Science & English from the University of Ghana.