About the Role
Lovonus Microfinance Bank is seeking a proactive, highly experienced, and strategic Head of Legal Services to lead our legal unit at our head office in Iddo, Lagos Mainland. Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by the NDIC, we provide cost-effective financial intermediation services to micro and small entrepreneurs. The successful candidate will oversee all legal affairs, manage litigation and loan recovery legal processes, advise executive management and the Board on corporate governance, and ensure our business practices comply with statutory frameworks.
Key Responsibilities- Provide strategic, accurate, and timely legal advice to Executive Management and the Board of Directors on corporate, operational, and regulatory matters.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and execute commercial contracts, service level agreements, credit agreements, and security documentation.
- Oversee external litigation, police liaison, debt recovery legal actions, and dispute resolution processes involving or against the Bank.
- Collaborate with Compliance and Risk units to monitor developments in CBN guidelines, NDIC mandates, and financial regulations.
- Supervise the legal vetting of land documents, asset perfection, and corporate registry searches.
- Support board administration, organize meetings, prepare charters, take minutes, and maintain official corporate records.
- Identify potential legal vulnerabilities and implement proactive measures to safeguard the Bank's assets and reputation.
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and Call to the Nigerian Bar (B.L), with an LL.M being an added advantage.
- Active membership in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in good standing.
- Minimum of 7-10 years post-call experience in corporate law, litigation management, and legal advisory, with 3-5 years in a supervisory role within the financial sector.
- Deep understanding of banking operations, debt recovery, and CBN/NDIC regulatory frameworks.
- Exceptional negotiation, conflict resolution, leadership, and communication skills.
- Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and industry standards.
- Opportunity to lead the legal department of a reputable, CBN-licensed microfinance bank in Lagos.
- Dynamic and professional work environment with growth opportunities.