Chukwunonso Franklin Onwuzu

Chukwunonso is an energy professional, risk analyst, commercial lawyer and negotiator. 

With about a decade of experience in professional practice, his specialisations include oil and gas, project/corporate finance, dispute resolution/management, employment, divestments/mergers, energy and power, company secretarial, manufacturing/distribution/supplies, regulatory compliance, tax, general corporate commercial advisory. 

He commenced his career with one of Nigeria’s heavily decorated magic triangle law firms, Messrs Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, where he rose from a rookie lawyer advising on all kinds of transactions to leading transaction teams, focused on his core areas. 

Chukwunonso had over half-a-decade stint with the Oando Group, during which time he led the team that advised on the very first EV public mass transit project in Nigeria, which will (at final phase) see the deployment of about 12,000 electric buses and vehicles. This project led to Oando wining the ESG Company of the Year at the African Energy Award 2023. 

Chukwunonso currently serves as the General Counsel and Company Secretary of Ruta E & P, where he provides a full suite of executive leadership and direction on all legal and governance aspects of the business. 

He has written multiple published and unpublished works, conducted trainings and made focused presentations on a number of key business/commercial legislation. He also serves as the NBA-SBL Coordinator of the Oil and Gas Work Group of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). 

Chukwunonso is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, an Alumnus of the University of Jos and holds a Post-Graduate Diploma from the Middlesex University, London.