Victoria Adefala, Corporate Leader, Passes Away in 2026

Victoria Osondu Adefala, a prominent corporate governance expert and lawyer, passed away on September 2, 2026. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and held a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws in International Law from the University of Houston Bates Law School.

Adefala had a diverse career, working for 16 years with the Michelin Group, where she served in various capacities, including Executive Director of Michelin Nigeria. Her role involved significant government relations and private-sector advocacy, providing her with international exposure.

In 2008, she became the Nigeria Country President and CEO of Alstom Group, a position she held for seven years, further enhancing her experience in power generation and rail transportation. Additionally, she was a founding partner of Whitgift Law, a Lagos-based law firm specializing in commercial and corporate law.

Adefala's passing is a profound loss to Nigeria's corporate and professional communities.