Lasbery Oludimu
Ogudu,Nigeria
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in digital asset policy formulation, regulatory strategy, and licensing across Africa. Adept at engaging regulators, shaping crypto policy frameworks, and driving market entry strategies in complex regulatory environments. Demonstrates strong global business acumen with a focus on market positioning, compliance, and go-to-market execution for crypto products. Recognised for thought leadership and industry advocacy, excelling in executive communication, stakeholder management, and high-level regulatory engagement. Skilled in public speaking and executive representation, supporting corporate growth and strategic initiatives in the digital asset ecosystem.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
VP Global Operations and Managing Director
Yellow Card Financial
Lagos, Nigeria
01.2021 - Current
- Member of the Group Executive Team and Group Governance & Risk Committee, contributing to enterprise strategy, governance, and risk oversight.
- Led and managed group operations across ~20 African countries, driving regulatory compliance, market expansion, and business growth.
- Directed monitoring and analysis of digital asset regulation and licensing developments across Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.
- Built and maintained senior-level regulatory relationships across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- Played a key role in digital asset policy development in Africa, including supporting Nigeria’s multi-regulator Virtual Asset Committee.
- Provided strategic input on stablecoin regulation with the Central Bank of Nigeria and tax implementation for digital asset transactions with FIRS.
- Solely led the company’s application to Nigeria’s SEC Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP).
- Led participation in Ghana’s initial registration process for crypto entities operating in the market.
- Drove market entry strategies across Africa, overseeing entity incorporation, licensing, and regulatory approvals in collaboration with Legal teams.
- Managing Director and Board Member, Yellow Card Nigeria, leading brand development, partnerships, and commercial growth.
- Represented the company at high-level regulatory, government, and industry engagements, serving as the company’s public face in Africa.
- Developed and executed the Nigeria market strategy and business plan, aligning regulatory, operational, and commercial priorities
Assistant General Counsel & Chief Data Protection
Yellow Card Financial
Lagos, Nigeria
02.2023 - 10.2024
- Member of the Group’s 9-person Global Executive Team and Secretary to the Group Governance & Risk Committee.
- Senior legal executive reporting to the General Counsel, with group-wide oversight of legal, licensing, and regulatory affairs across the digital asset ecosystem.
- Lead in-house counsel for all commercial and product-related legal and regulatory matters globally.
- Directed regulatory engagement and policy advocacy with multiple regulators in key markets.
- Oversaw all legal and regulatory affairs across Africa, managing internal teams and external counsel.
- Partnered with the General Counsel on highly strategic initiatives, including regulatory licensing, complex engagements, and corporate restructuring.
- Served as Group Chief Privacy/Data Protection Officer, leading global data protection, privacy compliance, and IP protection initiatives.
Director of Legal Services
Yellow Card Financial
Lagos, Nigeria
01.2021 - 02.2023
- Built and scaled the Group legal function from a single in-house role to a 6-member, Africa-wide legal team, overseeing all group legal operations.
- Led all legal, compliance, and regulatory functions across key African markets, supported by regional legal representatives.
- Incorporated the Group’s first African subsidiary in Nigeria and led market entry, registrations, and regulatory engagement across 12 African countries.
- Oversaw all commercial contracts, strategic partnerships, and complex negotiations across the Group.
- Led all legal workstreams for the Group’s Series A fundraising, supporting transaction execution and investor diligence.
Legal Advisor
Broron Oil And Gas Limited
Lagos, Nigeria
03.2018 - 01.2021
- Led drafting, negotiation, and review of high-value commercial and financing agreements with International Oil Companies (IOCs), National Oil Companies (NOCs), lenders, and key contractors.
- Acted as trusted legal adviser to executive management, providing strategic legal opinions on complex commercial, regulatory, and contractual matters.
- Oversaw the legal function, supervising departmental operations and managing licensing, services, maintenance, and commercial contracts across group entities.
- Directed contractor onboarding, KYC compliance, and legal due diligence for partnerships, investments, and new business opportunities.
- Supported corporate finance activities, including negotiation of multi-million USD/EUR loan facilities with local and international financial institutions, and advised on debt management and recovery.
Senior Associate/ Head of Chamber
Blackfriars Solicitors
Lagos, Nigeria
01.2011 - 05.2018
- Advised local and multinational clients on civil, contractual, foreign investment, and immigration matters, enabling compliant operations and reducing legal and regulatory risk.
- Translated complex legal requirements into commercially practical frameworks, safeguarding favorable contract terms and supporting effective contract implementation.
- Drafted and negotiated complex local and cross-border commercial and technical agreements, acting as legal, corporate, and regulatory adviser across multiple sectors including Financial Services, Oil & Gas, Power, Telecommunications, FMCG, and Manufacturing.
- Managed high-stakes litigation and appellate matters, including proceedings before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and advised on dispute strategy, regulatory challenges, and intellectual property matters.
Education
University of Lagos
Nigeria 09.2015 - 08.2017
Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Campus
Nigeria 10.2008 - 08.2009
Madonna University, Anambra State
Nigeria 11.2003 - 08.2008
Corporate Secretaries and Administrators
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
Nigeria /2020 - /2020
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
UK /2011 - /2011
Nigerian Capital Market Institute`
Nigeria /2019 - /2019
Skills
- Policy Formulation & Regulatory Strategy
- Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Global Business Acumen
- Market Positioning & Go-to-Market Strategy
- Thought Leadership & Industry Advocacy
- Executive Communication & Advisory
- Public Speaking & Executive Representation
- Corporate & Growth Strategy
Accomplishments
Top 50 Women Leaders in Financial Technology 2024
Women in Tech Africa Regional Award Nominee 2024
Timeline
Assistant General Counsel & Chief Data Protection
Yellow Card Financial
02.2023 - 10.2024
VP Global Operations and Managing Director
Yellow Card Financial
01.2021 - Current
Director of Legal Services
Yellow Card Financial
01.2021 - 02.2023
Legal Advisor
Broron Oil And Gas Limited
03.2018 - 01.2021
University of Lagos
09.2015 - 08.2017
Senior Associate/ Head of Chamber
Blackfriars Solicitors
01.2011 - 05.2018
Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Campus
10.2008 - 08.2009
Madonna University, Anambra State
11.2003 - 08.2008
Corporate Secretaries and Administrators
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
/2020 - /2020
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
/2011 - /2011
Nigerian Capital Market Institute`
/2019 - /2019