Name: Olajumoke Delano
Position: Head Regulatory & Government Relations
Company: Abuja Electricity Distribution PLC
Sector/Industry: (telecoms, financial, govt, energy etc) Energy
Worked in current position for (number of years/months): Since January 2022 (15 months)
Total years as an in-house lawyer: 17 years plus
A day in the life: Provide a brief overview of your current role (what you do, how you spend your time etc):
As Head Regulatory & Government Relations, I manage the interface between my organization and our regulators and stakeholders. My role includes interpreting regulations and facilitating my organization’s compliance. I am also responsible for additional power procurement.
The best thing about my current job is:
I must learn new things outside the field of law. My role is multi-disciplinary because the sector regulations that impact upon my organization are also multi-disciplinary. In addition, my performance is assessed based on how well my colleagues have responded to regulatory and reporting requirements. As such I get to understand how my colleagues perform their functions and work with them to ensure that their reports are submitted timeously and accurately
The most challenging thing about my current job is:
Ensuring that I understand enough of new subjects and disciplines ranging from engineering, marketing, finance, regulations and how they inter-relate for the benefit of my organization.
Most pivotal career decision:
Moving to the power sector in 2015 despite the known challenges with the sector at that time. I have not regretted it for one second because the sector keeps evolving and there is never a dull moment. There has been some progress, but a lot remains to be done.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face in your in-house career journey is:
Nurturing relationships. My focus had primarily been on getting the job done but then the work gets done by and through people. I eventually learnt how to build good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
What advice would I give my younger self? (On Video)
Key influencers that have shaped my journey:
Chief Ladi Taiwo SAN, Dr. Adebisi Omotoso: They have been role models that provided guidance and acted as sounding boards at different junctions of my career journey.
Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo: She showed me that it was possible to succeed in different aspects of life as a Christian, a professional, writer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, and academician.
One cool thing I’ve observed in the legal industry recently. The use of AI to accomplish legal tasks some successfully and some unsuccessfully. Either way AI cannot be ignored and should be incorporated for efficiency where possible
Favourite pro bono/ volunteer or charitable activity:
Volunteering in my local church
If I were not practising law, I would probably be:
Running a delicatessen business and writing books
What (singular) achievement are you most thankful for?
Being alive and Christian
Something you love doing that but you’re not that great at.
Hanging out with friends
Something you dislike doing that you’re pretty good at.
Writing and editing
In 5 years-time I’d love to:
Have solved the gas challenge facing the power sector in Nigeria. Have improved energy access. Have a doctorate. Be playing a pivotal role in the electricity / gas value chain.