Tolu heads the Energy Practice Group of the Firm. He has more than a decade experience in the energy sector having handled and advised on complex transactions and commercial arbitrations in the oil and gas sector.  

Tolulope commenced his career in commercial Litigation with a law firm in 2006 after his Call- to-Bar. He attained his Post Graduate Degree in Oil & Gas Law (Masters) from the prestigious University of Aberdeen, Scotland in 2010; Bachelor s of Law (BL) from the Nigerian Law School in 2006 and an L.L.B from the University of Ibadan in 2005.

Tolu attended Maryhill Convent Primary School, Government College Ibadan, the Polytechnic Ibadan, the University of Ibadan, the Nigerian Law School Abuja and the prestigious University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Notwithstanding the seeming perceived ‘comfortable’ background, Tolu had cause to pay his way through the Polytechnic Ibadan as his very strict Father (and now Mentor) would not have any of his children go to the Polytechnic. With a similar stubborn posture, Aderemi (who went into several petty trading) struggled and paid his way out of the Polytechnic Ibadan.

A John Taylor Scholar of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, Tolu has held many voluntary posts including the Secretary of Council, Student Representative Council, the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, President, LLM Class, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, amongst others. More recently, he was appointed a Tony Elumelu Mentor for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) as well as the Vice Chairman, Training Committee of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association.

As a qualified lawyer from past experience, Tolu cut his teeth in Maritime law and general commercial litigation. In his quest to widen his legal horizon and sometimes in 2006, he joined the firm of Perchstone & Graeys as a Pupil Counsel. He very quickly cut across the various Groups within the firm and settled with the commercial litigation Group, working with Mr. Eghobamien, SAN and other brilliant minds on a number of matters, including high profile arbitration matters. In 2014, from his hard work, diligence, and forthrightness, Tolu was admitted into the Board of Partners of the firm. As Partner, he became responsible for developing the firm’s Energy Practice as well as its Indian portfolio.

With an enviable depth of knowledge in the Nigerian Energy Sector, Tolu has been involved in high profile domestic and international energy transactions, litigation as well as energy/construction arbitration references. A well-rounded lawyer with a deep insight into the workings of the local and international energy industry, Tolu has also garnered substantial experience and expertise in advising clients on Power, Oil & Gas commercial transaction/ disputes spanning litigation and arbitration.

As part of the transactions involved in, Tolu has advised on:

• A multi-Billion Dollar oil acquisition of interests in an Oil Mining Lease between a Nigerian entity and a French investor;
• A US$21 Billion acquisition of interests in an Oil Prospecting License between a Nigerian entity and a South African investor;
• A US$3.5 Million commercial arbitration between a State party and oil contractors;
• Part of the lead advisory counsel for the drafting of the National Arbitration Policy
• The construction of a National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) 350KVA combined circle power plant located in Ogun State.
• The construction of a 450KVA of a gas circle power plant in the Calabar, Cross-Rivers State.
• Led an investor’s delegation to a West African country to negotiate the acquisition of oil blocs.
• Team Member with Osaro Eghobamien SAN on handling of all crude disputes in respect to the PSCs, Crude Handling Agreements, Carry Agreements etc.

Tolulope has also authored the Arbitration book; International Commercial Arbitration Law and Practice: A Practitioner’s Perspective. He has also contributed chapters on energy arbitration in the Palgrave Handbook on African Energy amongst several other scholarly texts. A regular speaker at local and international conferences, Tolu has delivered papers at the Section on Business Law (SBL) of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Chambers of Commerce (ICC YAF) Conference, London (2012), the Global Oil & Gas Professional Forum, Netherlands (2013), amongst other. Tolu is Chairman, International Law Association (ILA) Arbitration Committee, Nigerian Delegate to the ICC Arbitration Commission, Paris, Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the ILA, Paris, Chairman of the SBL Training Committee, Co-Chair of the Manufacturing Committee of the Lagos Chambers of Commerce & Industry (LASIAC). A regular public speaker (local and international), Tolu is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Some of his recent publications include:

• The Niger-Delta Crisis: Negotiation Versus Military Force;
• The Indian Electricity Supply Industry: A model for Nigeria;
• Re-Visiting the Petroleum Industry Bill in Times Of Crude Oil Price Decline: A Catalyst For Increased Foreign Direct Investment;
• Oil Blocks: Any Leg for the Chinese to Stand on? Published on the Investor’s Hub website
• A review of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010; Published on The Nigeria Business.com website
• Arbitration in Emerging Markets: Current Challenges, being a Paper delivered at the International Chamber of Commerce Conference London
• The delayed passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill: Issues, Politics and Commercial Consequence.