Mrs Aisha Rimi
Designation
Director General
Company
Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
What Inspired you to be a Lawyer and how has that impacted you?
​
I actually did not decide to study law, because in my time, our parents made the decisions for us. I was not very good at the sciences and law therefore seemed like an obvious choice. I was quite lippy and always had a question and an opinion about everything. Needless to say, I have not had any cause to regret this career choice.
​
Law has been the platform which has guided me throughout my professional and entrepreneurial life. It has ensured that in everything I have tried my hands on, I am mindful of landmines, aware of the ‘small print’ and observant of opportunities. In spite of my ‘side hustles’ and 4 year career ‘break’ to try my hands at business consulting and advisory services, the law has always been the guiding light and default setting I have been able to lean
on.
Any lessons or advice for young lawyers aspiring to rise to the top in the legal profession?
​
It is important to spend the first few years of professional life trying out as many areas of the legal profession as one can, before choosing an area of specialisation. It provides a solid foundation and a balanced experience that shapes your future practice area.
As one progresses, it is important to keep up to date with developments in the law, staying focused, expanding your knowledge base, taking advantage of training and learning opportunities and identifying accomplished, credible and reliable mentors to guide your professional growth.
How we can advance inclusion for women in the legal profession?
​
Women must recognise that nothing will ever be handed to us on a platter of gold. We simply have to work hard(er), remain undeterred, and also provide opportunities for other females when these present themselves. Having said that, things have improved significantly since I started my career. Whilst there is still a lot of work to be done, most establishments are now gender aware and making concerted efforts to be inclusive.