Nottingham entrepreneur encourages businesses to consider Nigeria

Following a recent trade delegation to Nigeria, Thalej Vasishta of Nottingham immigration specialists Paragon Law has made a commitment to launching in Nigeria, and is encouraging other businesses to seriously consider it as a place to invest or do business.

Paragon Law formed part of a recent trade delegation to Nigeria led by National Law Society President Andrew Holroyd.

Mr Vasishta commented: “GDP in Nigeria is currently 9 percent and rising. The country has the second largest gas reserves and a population of 140 million, of which 50 percent are under the age of 18. A recent Goldman Sachs report has predicted that Nigeria will be the 20th largest economy by 2025.

“Business between Britain and Nigeria continues to grow apace. In 2007, total exports to Nigeria increased by 22 percent, passing the £1 billion milestone for the first time. It was apparent from our meetings with business people and lawyers in Nigeria that there is a growing appetite for cars, white goods, property, quality education, travel and entertainment.”

Paragon Law has acted for a number of Nigerian businessmen who have successfully entered the United Kingdom as investors and the firm is of the view that this type of inward investment will increase. 

Mr Vasishta added: “Being part of the Law Society delegation to Nigeria has helped us to establish contact with some of Nigeria’s leading law firms.  Moreover, we have also recruited our first Nigerian lawyer for whom preparations are now being made to come to the United Kingdom to receive training at our Nottingham office before she returns back to Nigeria to head up our operations there.  We are also being assisted by Peter Stephenson who is Director of Trade and Investment at the British High Commission in Lagos and, coincidently, originally from Nottingham.

“Paragon Law has a very strong international focus with established and successful operations in India and, more recently, a formal association with Orlando and Miami based US firm Nejame & Partners. We are optimistic that our developing relationships in the Nigerian market will ensure this latest venture will be equally successful.”