Ngozi Aderibigbe

  • Managing Partner
  • ngozia@graysilicon.com

Ngozi Aderibigbe leads the firm’s practice in intellectual property, data protection, technology, and entertainment law across Sub-Saharan Africa. With over two decades of experience, she advises clients on protecting, managing, and commercialising their intellectual property assets and navigating complex legal issues in technology and creative industries.

A seasoned legal practitioner, Ngozi is trusted by international law firms and in-house counsel to coordinate African filings, manage multi-jurisdictional projects, and negotiate agreements that stand up to scrutiny. She has acted for several entities and individuals in the entertainment and technology sectors, bringing deep insight into how law intersects with innovation and creativity. She led the team that developed a robust Body of Knowledge on GenAI in Nigeria and created Nigeria’s first AI Governance assessment framework.

  • Intellectual Property Prosecution
  • Strategic IP commercialisation
  • Data Protection & Privacy
  • AI & Emerging Tech
  • Creative & Entertainment Industry Advisory

Intellectual Property

  • Coordinated the Africa-wide trademark filing project for one Africa’s largest satellite companies.
  • Advised one of Africa’s leading stock exchanges on its intellectual property structure during a major corporate restructuring.
  • Led multiple intellectual property audits for high-value portfolios, including one of Africa’s largest telecommunications firms.
  • Negotiating and drafting a broad range of IP agreements, leveraging her strategic insight and business acumen.

Data Protection & Artificial Intelligence

  • Led the team that conducted extensive research and developed a robust Body of Knowledge on GenAI in Nigeria for Data Science Nigeria and Gates Foundation.
  • Led the team that Developed Nigeria’s pioneering GenAI assessment framework, and advised on the deployment of a digital platform for GenAI governance assessment.
  • Led over 120 data privacy audits, helping businesses unlock commercial opportunities while maintaining compliance with global frameworks.
  • Advised on data breach prevention and regulatory compliance, mitigating risks associated with data processing and cross-border data transfers.
  • Drafted privacy policies, data processing agreements, and compliance frameworks tailored for several multinational organizations.

Entertainment & Creative Industry Advisory

  • Served as Production Counsel on major film projects, including Netflix and Amazon Originals commissioned in Nigeria.
  • Provided copyright compliance training to one of the world’s leading music and entertainment companies, helping their Africa operations align with the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022 and adapt their business model to emerging legal requirements.
  • Advised a semi-finalist in the 2017 season of America’s Got Talent, providing legal representation and strategic counsel on intellectual property and contractual matters, post-AGT.
  • Member, Nigerian Bar Association
  • Chairperson (Past), Intellectual Property Committee, NBA – Section on Business Law (2022–2024).
  • Member, Data Protection Committee, International Trademark Association (2023 – Present).
  • Faculty Member, African Franchise Institute.
  • Ex-officio, Sports, Media & Entertainment Committee, NBA – Section on Business Law.
  • Sub-Group Head, Policy Formulation Committee, Sports Thematic Group, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG).
  • UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence (2024) – Expert Contributor on AI Governance in Content, Creation, and Creativity.
  • World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) AI & IP Conversation (2022) – Moderated global panel on AI Inventorship and Intellectual Property Rights.
  • TechPoint Inspired (2019) – Keynote Speaker on The Future of AI and Intellectual Property Rights in Africa.
  • Nigeria Sports Industry Policy Drafting Committee (2020) – Contributed to drafting policies regulating Nigeria’s sports industry.
  • Franchise Bill Review Committee (2020) – Provided expert recommendations to align Nigeria’s franchise law with international standards.
  • “Nollywood and the Nigerian Creative Economy” (2024) – Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
  • “Privacy, Data Protection & Cybersecurity” (2023) – Law Business Research.
  • “The Future – AI & Intellectual Property” (2021) – Jackson, Etti & Edu.
  • “Digital Business in Nigeria” (2019) – Thomson Reuters (Practical Law).
  • “Data Protection” (2018) – International Comparative Legal Guides UK.
  • “Intellectual Property Strategy” (2009) – Aspatore (Thomson Reuters).
  • LLM (Corporate & Commercial Law) – University of London
  • LLM, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • LLB, University of Nigeria
  • Executive Program in Leading Professional Services Firms, Harvard Business School
  • Executive Course on Global Internet Governance, Carnegie Mellon University Center for Executive Education in Technology
  • Certificate in Intellectual Property Management, World Intellectual Property Organisation