Legal Principal at Cellulant Nigeria

Cellulant is Africa’s no.1 company in the payments & transfers category - FIntech Awards 2016. We are a PPISP (Payment Platform Infrastructure Service Provider) regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Legal Principal

Location: Lagos
Employment type: Full-time
Category: Legal & Compliance

Role Overview

• As a Principal - Legal, you will work closely with the Senior Manager, Legal or Head of Legal, helping build a strong compliance culture across the business.
• You’ll serve as a key partner to the business, ensuring our teams understand the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern our operations: locally, regionally, and internationally.
• This role isn’t just about legal advice: it’s about helping the business anticipate change, assess risk, and act confidently.
• You’ll work across departments and jurisdictions, providing legal support that enables bold but responsible growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and advise the business on applicable laws, regulations, and standards across all jurisdictions where Cellulant operates.
• Interpret laws and help the business design programs that ensure compliance.
• Support and implement legal and compliance processes including drafting, negotiating, and reviewing commercial agreements.
• Review and advise on licensing, approvals, and registrations required to operate legally in different markets.
• Represent the business in commercial disputes, including court proceedings or alternative dispute resolution forums.
• Educate staff and leadership on the impact of legal and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze emerging laws and regulations to identify both risk and opportunity for the business.
• Collaborate with the Head of Legal to build effective compliance frameworks.
• Maintain active relationships with regulators and legal authorities at local, national, and regional levels.
• Provide legal guidance on employment and other operational matters as needed.

Requirements
Qualification:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Law with at least 6 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong legal judgment and the ability to recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to handle complex legal issues across management and operational levels.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Business awareness and sound leadership capabilities.

Experience That Will Count in Your Favor:

• Prior experience in FinTech, insurance, or a financial services institution.
• Strong business acumen and comfort working in a commercial environment.

Nice to Have:

• Cross-border legal experience.
• Compliance certifications such as CIPP or CAMS.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with at least 3 years in a senior role.
• Deep understanding of fintech regulations, including payments, crypto, and lending.
• Proven ability to build legal strategies that support business growth.
• Skilled in negotiation and contract drafting.
• Demonstrated experience aligning legal frameworks with strategic business goals.

Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Project management and organizational skills
• Legal research proficiency
• Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
• Sound judgment and confident decision-making

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity and confidentiality
• Strategic and proactive thinker
• Strong resilience under pressure
• Ethical, principled, and dependable
• Committed to continuous learning and growth.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should:
Click here to apply online