Joanna Abodunrin

I am a double first-class lawyer and a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, currently pursuing an MSc in Law and Finance at the University of Oxford. I graduated as the Best Graduating Student from the Faculty of Law at Ahmadu Bello University, where I made history as the first female to achieve a First-Class degree since the faculty’s establishment in 1962. Additionally, I earned a first-class degree at the Nigerian Law School, where I was honoured with the prestigious Director General’s Prize. I have cultivated hands-on experience in high-stakes cross-border transactions, corporate finance, and regulatory compliance. As an Associate at Aluko & Oyebode, one of Africa’s leading law firms, I advised multinational corporations and top-tier financial institutions on mergers, acquisitions, and debt structuring. My work included supporting due diligence processes and structuring legal documentation for high-value investments and financing deals across multiple sectors. I thrive at the intersection of law, finance, and development, driven by the belief that every legal and financial challenge has a solution, and finding that solution is my forte. Beyond my professional work, I am committed to youth empowerment and social impact. I am an alumna of the United Nations Academic Impact Fellowship and the Clinton Global Initiative University. I volunteer in community development initiatives and enjoy mentoring young talents navigating academic and professional spaces.