Barr. Ihueghian V. Guobadia, born in Benin City and a native of Odighi Village in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, is an accomplished lawyer, public speaker, and community leader with extensive international experience.
He obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International and European Business Law from the university’s Cambridge campus. He also holds a Bar Certificate from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, a Diploma in Theology, and certifications in German Language and Human Resource Management. His legal education also includes studies at City Law School and BPP Law School in London, and he is a proud member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in the UK.
Professionally, Guobadia has practised law across several European Union courts and served as an associate in multiple reputable EU law firms. As Managing Partner and Head of Vibadia & Partners Nigeria, he provides expert counsel in Nigerian, UK, and European corporate, commercial, and business law. He has also collaborated with governmental and non-governmental organisations across Europe in various roles, including legal, research, project management, and consultancy.
His leadership record includes serving as:
Director-General, Association for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (1995–2001)
Director-General, Africa Foundation International (2001–2002)
President, Africa Foundation International (2011–2019)
Director-General, European Union Action Congress for Change in Africa (2003–2011)
Guobadia represented Africa on the global stage as a United Nations–sponsored delegate to the World Conference Against Racism (Durban, 2001) and the UN Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002). He has also contributed to several EU-sponsored projects in legal research and monitoring, and organised numerous international conferences, including the landmark Africa & African Descendants Worldwide Conference (Europe, April 2001).
A visionary leader, Guobadia is a public speaker, CEO, and former Gubernatorial Aspirant of the Labour Party (2023/2024) in Edo State, committed to justice, human rights, and sustainable development.
