Ibeju Lekki, a once-glittering promise of opportunity on Lagos’ burgeoning real estate and industrial corridor, is now sending ripples of concern through the legal job market. With new projects springing up and investments pouring into the Lekki Free Trade Zone, one would expect the region’s professional ecosystem to flourish. Yet paradoxically, young law graduates, especially those with 3–4 years of experience, are scrambling for positions, facing stiffer competition and diminishing openings.
Recently, a notable vacancy opened up for a Commercial Lawyer at Ascentech Services Limited, rekindling hope but also highlighting the acute mismatch between supply and demand in this sector. If you’re a law graduate navigating this uncertain terrain, this is your cue to act fast.
Why Are Legal Jobs Drying Up in Ibeju Lekki?
While Ibeju Lekki is often touted as “the new Lagos,” the influx of multinationals, oil and gas giants, and real estate developers has ironically concentrated opportunities in engineering, construction, and technical management roles. A BusinessDay report underscores how professional services, especially legal, are lagging behind due to:
- In-house consolidation: Many companies now prefer internal counsel to cut costs.
- Slower regulatory project approvals, delaying commercial transactions that would typically require external lawyers.
- Preference for more experienced candidates, sidelining younger professionals with 3–4 years’ post-call experience.
These trends have created a scenario where mid-level legal professionals must chase fewer vacancies, pushing many into panic mode.
The Role at Ascentech: Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Ascentech Services Limited, a reputable player in HR and business support services, is currently hiring a Commercial Lawyer. What makes this job so compelling in the current climate?
Responsibilities
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
- Advising management on regulatory compliance across multiple sectors.
- Handling corporate governance and due diligence for acquisitions.
Requirements
- 3–4 years post-NYSC legal experience, ideally with commercial law focus.
- Familiarity with Nigerian corporate and property law.
- Strong negotiation and drafting skills.
This profile directly targets the cohort currently feeling the squeeze in Ibeju Lekki—young but somewhat seasoned legal professionals trying to avoid career stagnation.
Job Shortage for 3–4 Year Law Graduates in Lagos: The Statistics
To better understand how alarming the shortfall is, take a look at this comparative snapshot:
| Category | 2018–2020 | 2021–2023 | 2024–2025 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level legal openings (Lagos) | ~3,000/year | ~1,800/year | ~1,200/year |
| Applications per opening | ~25 | ~55 | ~80 |
| Most affected experience bracket | 0–2 years | 3–4 years | 3–5 years |
Data compiled from Nigeria Law School Alumni Surveys and local recruitment platforms like Jobberman.
How Does Ibeju Lekki Compare to Other Parts of Lagos?
If you’re considering casting a wider net beyond Ibeju Lekki, it’s smart to see how it stacks up:
- Victoria Island & Ikoyi: Still command the lion’s share of high-value corporate legal work, thanks to bank HQs and multinational head offices.
- Ikeja & Mainland: Better for litigation and local regulatory practice, especially around Alausa where Lagos’ government offices are clustered.
- Ibeju Lekki: Strong in property, compliance for new manufacturing projects, but limited standalone law firms, driving demand to in-house counsel.
In short, while Ibeju Lekki is promising, it currently remains less diversified in legal opportunities compared to Lagos Island.
Why the Panic Among Law Graduates?
It’s not just about fewer jobs—there’s also intense wage pressure. According to a recent Jobberman Salary Report, average starting pay for commercial lawyers in Lagos fell by 18% from 2021 to 2024, even as inflation soared.
Young lawyers are thus forced into a double bind:
- Fewer roles to apply to.
- Lower compensation packages when they do secure interviews.
Top Skills to Increase Your Chances
If you’re a 3–4 year law graduate in Lagos, particularly eyeing Ibeju Lekki, you’ll need more than just a standard law degree to break through. Consider focusing on:
✅ Advanced contract negotiation (M&A, construction, oil & gas supply).
✅ Regulatory compliance expertise, especially with NAFDAC and DPR for industrial projects.
✅ Familiarity with tech-enabled documentation tools (DocuSign, cloud-based contract lifecycle management).
Upskilling can make you stand out—even when there are 80 applicants vying for the same role.
How to Apply for the Ascentech Commercial Lawyer Role
If this opening at Ascentech feels like the lifeline you need, don’t wait. Here’s how to go about it:
➡️ Apply directly on LinkedIn.
➡️ Or submit your CV via Ascentech’s official careers portal.
Make sure your resume is tailored with clear bullet points showcasing commercial transaction work, compliance exposure, and negotiation outcomes.
Navigating This Market: A Few Hard Truths
- Network like your future depends on it. It probably does. Many roles in Lagos never make it to public listings.
- Consider contract or short-term roles that could convert to full-time later. This is common in the legal departments of construction and EPC companies now setting up in Ibeju Lekki.
- Keep learning: Certifications in project finance or oil & gas law (via online platforms like Udemy or Coursera) can tip the scale in your favor.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Panic Derail You
Yes, the Ibeju Lekki story is complicated. The region is a paradox: booming in cranes, cement, and high-stakes property deals, yet oddly sparing in structured opportunities for young commercial lawyers. But this doesn’t have to spell doom for your career.
Seize opportunities like the one at Ascentech, sharpen your niche skills, and stay adaptable. Over time, the rapid industrial growth is likely to spill over into stronger demand for legal professionals to handle complex contracts, property rights issues, and compliance headaches.
So stay prepared—because when the tide turns (and it will), you want to be the best candidate on the market.
🚀 Ready to Apply?
👉 Click here to apply directly for the Commercial Lawyer role at Ascentech Services Limited.
Don’t wait—applications in Lagos close fast, and this might be the launchpad you’ve been hoping for.
If you’d like, I can also prepare SEO meta descriptions, featured snippet variations, or even email newsletter blurbs to help drive traffic to this blog post. Would you like me to draft those for you? Let me know!
