Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains one of the most complex and consequential arenas of economic endeavor in Africa. It drives national revenue, influences global energy markets, and shapes geopolitical relationships.
Yet for many professionals – lawyers, engineers, financiers, and executives – ascension to the advisory and strategic core of the industry remains opaque, difficult, and demanding. That is precisely why an exclusive afternoon with Stella Duru is not just interesting; it is essential for anyone serious about leadership and influence in this industry.
Stella Duru is not a theoretical expert. She is a practitioner whose career embodies strategic navigation of one of the world’s most intricate sectors. A Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo – one of Nigeria’s pre-eminent law firms – she has spent over 23 years working at the intersection of legal acumen and commercial realism in energy, oil, gas, and power.
Duru has advised on high-profile oil and gas transactions, project finance deals, and regulatory engagements that define how business is done across Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Her journey is itself instructive. Born in Lagos and educated entirely in Nigeria – attending St. Mary’s Private School, Queens College, and the University of Lagos – she entered the legal profession in 2001 at Banwo & Ighodalo and was retained after her national service year. She rose swiftly, assuming leadership of energy and natural resources teams, and became a Partner in 2012, an accolade that reflects both tradition and exceptional individual merit.
Stella’s work exemplifies what it takes to thrive in an industry where stakes are high, challenges are systemic, and outcomes shape national economies. Recognised in leading legal directories as a Woman Leader in project development, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions, she is also actively involved in strategic policy formulation through her role on the Energy Policy Commission Steering Committee of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group – a forum that influences national energy policy.
Why does this matter for those attending the Getting to the Top of Oil & Gas Advisory and Business session? Because Stella’s career teaches three fundamentals that written manuals rarely capture:
- Strategic Discipline Over Technical Fluency
Mastery of law or engineering is necessary – but not sufficient. Success in oil and gas advisory requires the ability to anticipate regulatory shifts, align legal strategy with commercial outcomes, and negotiate value in environments where risk and reward are tightly coupled. - Credibility Through Consistency
Stella’s career is built on long-term client trust, repeat engagements, and reputation at the negotiating table. In sectors like oil and gas – where transactions can span years and billions of dollars – trust is the currency of influence. - Navigating Complexity with Confidence
Whether advising on project finance, negotiating contracts, or shaping policy frameworks, those at the top understand that clarity, timing, and precision are strategic tools. As Stella demonstrates, leadership is not only about knowing what to do, but knowing when and how to do it.
Nigeria’s energy sector is itself at an inflection point. Advisory work now extends beyond traditional hydrocarbon transactions into renewables, hybrid energy markets, and integrated project development, requiring advisors who can bridge legacy systems with emergent opportunities. Attendees who engage with Stella’s insights will gain a rare vantage point into how seasoned professionals translate experience into strategic advantage.
In a landscape where oil and gas remain core to economic stability and future growth, understanding why and how leaders like Stella Duru succeed moves beyond inspiration; it becomes strategic preparation.
For professionals seeking to climb to the advisory apex of the industry, this afternoon is more than a session. It is a masterclass in the strategic art of influence.
The date is February 20 organised by Formation Exceptionelle.
