LLM Candidate, Petroleum Law and Policy (UK); Moderator; Energy and Investment Law Law online Forum and Journal

Presently an LLM candidate, Petroleum Law and Policy at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy of the University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom, Mr Awambu has a vast experience in Commercial Law practice and now takes up specialty in Energy and International Economic Law.

His Research interests are in International Petroleum Development Agreements, Energy Policy and Legislation, Project structuring for Energy Sector development in emerging economies and International Gas (LNG) Trade. In International Economic Law his focus includes the study of policies for the effective development, taxation and management of Mineral Resources and Energy ventures and their relationship with the expansion and protection of Foreign Direct Investments. In addition he studies Investor-State Dispute Resolution mechanisms.

Mr Awambu studied Law at the Abia State University, Nigeria, graduating with Honours in 2001. He undertook Professional Training Courses at the Nigerian Law School Abuja, finishing with with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division and was admitted a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2003. His first stint in Law career was at the Legal Aid Council, Bauchi, Nigeria, where he worked as a Federal Government Legal Officer providing services for indigent citizens. During this period he was Director of Research and Litigation of Corp Lawyers’ Scheme, a Youth Initiative he co-founded with other young colleagues. Engaging in legal analysis for Corrective Legislation and Institutional Reforms, Mr Awambu’s research skills at a professional level took root.

Subsequently, he went into private legal practice. He was at several points a Junior Associate and Associate respectively in two Law firms based in the oilfield Niger Delta of Nigeria. He acted as solicitor to multi-national Oil producing and servicing companies, advising and structuring Venture Set-Ups, local and international commercial contracts as well as in regulatory permits. These steered his deep interest in the Energy (Oil and Gas) Law and Policy as well as legal rules and institutions for the expansion and protection of transnational investments.

A prolific advocate, Anozie Awambu has conducted contentious commercial litigations in superior trial and appellate courts of record in Nigeria as well in Commercial Arbitrations. He matches his bar advocacy skills with research interests in Transnational Investment Law to develop competence in International Investment Arbitration Advocacy. He appeared before Leading Investment Arbitrators when he was chosen to represent CEPMLP, University of Dundee in an International Investment Arbitration Moot Court in Frankfurt Germany, organised by the Centre for European Integration and International Economic Order and the Universitat Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.

Mr Awambu has written Articles and Research Papers in his areas of interest. He is a member of Professional Associations such as The Energy Institute, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Scottish Oil Club, Nigerian Oil and Gas Club, Nigerian Bar Association and Society of International Economic Law.