Legal Advisor at Nile University of Nigeria

Nile University of Nigeria, founded in 2009, is a private multidisciplinary university based in Abuja, and a proud member of Honoris United Universities since 2020. Nile University currently has over 40 undergraduate programmes and more than 50 postgraduate programmes spread across eight best in-class faculties, in the College of Health Sciences, Law, Science, Computing Studies, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences, and Arts & Social Sciences.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Legal Advisor

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• We are currently looking to engage a highly competent and result-oriented Legal Advisor with strong personal & professional integrity to join our dynamic workforce.

Responsibilities

• The Legal Advisor will serve as a key legal expert within the university, providing strategic guidance and support on all legal matters under the supervision of the Head of Compliance. 
• The role involves ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, safeguarding the university’s legal interests, and mitigating risks through proactive legal strategies.

He / she is expected to:

• Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head, Compliance, and other senior leadership on all legal matters, including regulatory updates, emerging risks, and policy implications.
• Collaborate with the Head, Compliance to ensure alignment of legal strategies with broader compliance frameworks.
• Conduct regular legal risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Oversee investigations into alleged violations of legal or ethical standards, ensuring fair and impartial resolution.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and partnerships to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Provide guidance on intellectual property rights, data privacy, and other legal concerns specific to higher education.
• Ensure all contractual obligations are clearly defined, enforceable, and aligned with the university’s best interests.
• Collaborate with external legal counsel to address complex legal issues and manage high-stakes disputes.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize the university’s exposure to legal liabilities.
• Assist the Head, Compliance in establishing and enforcing governance frameworks to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Support the implementation of compliance programs and training initiatives to enhance legal awareness among staff, faculty, and students.
• Provide guidance on regulatory reporting and ensure timely submission of required documentation to relevant authorities.
• Lead incident response efforts related to legal breaches or compliance failures, ensuring effective mitigation and communication with stakeholders.
• Prepare and present regular legal reports to the Head, Compliance, and relevant governance committees, highlighting key risks, trends, and performance metrics.

Qualifications & Experience

• A Master’s degree in Law (LL.M) or a related field is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) is required, along with a valid license to practice law.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in legal advisory, corporate governance, or a related field, including at least 3 years in a senior advisory role.
• Experience in higher education, financial services, or a similarly regulated organizational environment is highly desirable.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or equivalent are a plus.
• Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
• Knowledge of Nigerian and international regulatory frameworks is essential

Application Closing Date
2nd May, 2025.