Inemesit Dike: “My work revolves around navigating the intersection of law, innovation, and technology”

Inemesit Dike is a Nigerian attorney, a counsel at law and an entrepreneur whose career bridges between law, business and technology. In this interview, she shares her expertise and her work to promote initiatives at the intersection of law, artificial intelligence, business, and governance to solve social issues.

Africa Women Experts: Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

 Inemesit Dike: I am a business executive with an academic background and practical expertise in artificial intelligence, leadership, business strategy, energy (Oil & Gas), entrepreneurship, law, technology and strategic development.

I am an Attorney and Counsel at Law, Nigeria and New York (USA), the Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Concierge Limited (a consulting and training company), the Convener of the Young Wigs Conference and the Founder of the Legal X App. I am also a member of the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Chartered Company Secretary & connoisseur of Corporate Governance, a Commercial Law, Labour Law and Human Resources Expert.

I have served in various leadership roles including the Head of Legal Services and Technical Contracting on the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 55 Oil and Gas Exploration and Production in the Niger Delta Region. Aside from my academic and professional accomplishments, I have a passion for sustainable societal development through the education of young lawyers.

What has been your journey so far in terms of academic and professional achievements?

My passion for law and technology dates back to my early years when I was driven by a deep sense of justice and a natural curiosity for problem-solving. As a child, I instinctively defended those treated unfairly, which laid the foundation for my later pursuit of law. My leadership role as Head Girl in secondary school further fueled my desire to make a meaningful impact through leadership, guiding me towards a legal career. However, my undergraduate studies brought a critical realization—the law, in its traditional form, did not always translate to justice for all. This realization sparked my interest in finding creative, human-centered ways to apply the law to real-world issues.

This curiosity eventually led me to the intersection of law and technology. A scholarship to study Oracle Database Administration during a university strike sparked my fascination with technology, and I soon understood that tech could be the key to transforming the legal landscape. This unique combination of skills enabled me to focus on special problems in the legal sector: Design Innovation in legal practice, creativity amongst lawyers and market connectivity for lawyers.

I have had the privilege of building a diverse and rewarding career that bridges the worlds of law, business, and technology. My professional journey has been shaped by transformative roles such as National Legal Adviser for the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Nigeria and the Hotel Employers and Personal Services Association of Nigeria. Additionally, as Head of Legal Services and Technical Contracting for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 55 in Oil and Gas, I developed deep expertise in navigating regulatory landscapes and managing critical legal functions within high-stakes environments.

As an international tech lawyer specializing in emerging technologies, what does your work entail?

My work revolves around navigating the complex intersection of law, innovation, and technology. I advise local and international clients on the legal challenges and newly evolving opportunities posed by cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber security, data privacy, and intellectual property.

A large part of my role involves helping companies comply with global regulatory frameworks, which can vary significantly across jurisdictions. I also help clients secure their intellectual property rights, draft contracts for the creation, use and adoption of new technologies, and ensure that new technologies are developed, marketed, and deployed in ways that are both legally and ethically responsible.

Additionally, I often work on cross-border issues, coordinating with local legal teams in different countries to address any jurisdictional nuances. This can involve everything from negotiating international partnerships to dealing with privacy concerns related to cross-border data transfers. In a rapidly evolving space, staying ahead of legal developments and anticipating potential risks is key to providing the best strategic advice.

You established The Legal Concierge—what is it, and what services does it provide?

The Legal Concierge is a consultancy and training leader at the intersection of law, business, and technology, transforming how businesses and legal service providers operate in the modern world. We offer artificial intelligence, technology consulting, trainings as well as business advisory services, helping organizations integrate cutting-edge solutions to drive efficiency and innovation.

We are a catalyst for change, a source of innovation. We are committed to helping organizations not only achieve their goals but also embrace the future of business, technology, and legal practices to create lasting impact.

What inspired you to create the LegalX App, and what purpose does it serve?

The LegalX App was birthed out of my passion to make the legal services industry in Nigeria available to the underserved as well as to enhance the ease of providing legal services.

This app makes it easy to quickly identify the niche area that any lawyer has worked in. This way, with LegalX, justice is not just brought to the doorsteps of client but gives the client options on who to engage. Since inception, it has served several purposes including: Making it possible for lawyers to practice law remotely from the comfort of their ‘couch’. This is especially focused on new wigs, who may not have the resources to set up a traditional law firm. Young female lawyers no longer have to have a gap-year or choose between caring for family and legal practice.

The app has succeeded in breaking the jurisdictional barrier as Nigerian lawyers are able to continue to deliver legal services to Nigerians from anywhere in the world, as long as they remain on the Roll of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

It has also created networking opportunities, which makes it easy for lawyers to find other lawyers in other jurisdictions. It also increases the lawyers’ capacity to earn remotely through our unique learning management system where lawyers earn from teaching courses based on their life’s skills.

Can you share some of the challenges you have encountered in your career and how you overcame them?

I have experienced many difficulties and failed many times. One of the times of my great failures happened when I decided to qualify to practice in New York, United States of America while living in Nigeria. It seemed impossible! The idea dropped in my heart during a conversation with my friend while we were reading in the library in Scotland. During this journey to qualification, I got hospitalized due to miscarriages, held down a job during the day, took care of my home while being self-taught. I was constantly exhausted, and I failed three times. Every time I failed, I recentered and focused on the fact that with God, nothing is impossible. I didn’t give up and the joy of victory was even sweeter because of it.

I have also experienced a lot of sexual harassment as part of my professional journey. As a corporate woman, it is even harder to be believed because we don’t present the image of helplessness or fear. Successful women don’t look the part of the typical victim, yet the pressure and the injustice are still extant.

What are your aspirations and goals for the future?

 My long-term vision is to develop scalable solutions that bridge legal and regulatory gaps, empower entrepreneurs, and drive impactful change at the intersection of law, artificial intelligence, business strategy, and governance. I aim to expand LegalXapp into a global product that leverages artificial intelligence to democratize legal services, enhance efficiency, and simplify complex legal processes. My goal is also to keep on developing specialized training programs such as artificial intelligence- in-governance, artificial intelligence-in-energy tools, and business strategy though our LegalX Edutech, an e-learning platform that provides cutting-edge training for lawyers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers worldwide. Moreover, I aim to establish a legal tech incubator that nurtures startups innovating at the intersection of law and technology and to provide mentorship and funding opportunities for women-led businesses and African entrepreneurs to accelerate economic empowerment.

Interviewed by Danielle France Engolo