A Nigerian-born solicitor, Chimdinma Nwaigwe (née Odunze), has been elected President of the Leicestershire Law Society in the United Kingdom, becoming the first and youngest Nigerian to lead the 166-year-old body.
Nwaigwe, a dual-qualified real estate lawyer at Edward Connor Solicitors, received wide recognition following her election, which further cemented her rising profile within the UK legal community.
She was recently honoured at the British Nigeria Law Forum’s Annual Gala Dinner, where she said, “Having Mark Evans, President of The Law Society, present my award made the moment even more meaningful.”
She added that “And to be recognised on the same night as Chinwe Odimba-Chapman felt surreal. A genuine pinch-me moment.”
Called to the Nigerian Bar in 2016 before relocating to the UK in 2019, Nwaigwe credited the BNLF for providing a platform that bridges “cultures, legal traditions, and the lived journeys” of Nigerian lawyers in the diaspora, saying the recognition reflects what becomes possible “when a community lifts you with intention.”
She said her election as president represents a powerful statement about inclusion, noting, “At 33, I am humbled to be the youngest person to hold this office and, to the best of my knowledge, the first Nigerian in the United Kingdom to do so.”
Outlining her priorities, she stressed that her tenure would focus on expanding inclusion, with particular attention to disability support, mental wellbeing, and suicide prevention.
“My focus this year will be on inclusion, particularly disability and mental wellbeing, with an emphasis on suicide prevention,” she said.
Nwaigwe also announced plans to deepen engagement with students and young lawyers through partnerships with universities in Leicester and the LJLD, while broadening award categories to celebrate emerging legal talent and supporting more local charities.
Reflecting on her journey, the Kaduna-born lawyer said she received her entire early education in Nigeria and represented the country at an international client counselling competition in the United States in 2015, an achievement that earned her a partial scholarship to the Nigerian Law School.
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