Angela Adebayo Agbe-Davies is a Nigerian-British lawyer who pursued her legal education at Sussex University and the Inns of Court School of Law. In 2013, she founded Silvax Legal, a comprehensive law firm that has since formed a partnership with the esteemed global intellectual property agency Inventa. This collaboration allows Silvax Legal to offer intellectual property services to Nigeria and West Africa under the brand of Inventa Nigeria, which stands as the first international trademark and patent agency in Nigeria.
Periodically, Angela engages in various training courses offered by the Institute of Directors, as well as those focused on intellectual property. She speaks at the quarterly webinar organized by Inventa Nigeria aimed at educating individuals about their intellectual property rights.
Angela is a member of several esteemed intellectual property and legal organizations, including the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Pharmaceutical Trademarks Group, and the Nigerian Bar Association. Recognized as one of the top twenty intellectual property legal practitioners in Nigeria by the World Trademark Association, she actively participates in the INTA conference each year. Angela Adebayo Agbe-Davies is presently the sole female and one of the youngest active board members at Greenwich Trustees Ltd., GTL Properties Ltd., Chellarams Plc, and Angel Hospitality Management. Additionally, she serves as the company secretary for the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
She has made appearances on CNBC Africa and Arise News, among others, and has contributed articles to a range of Nigerian and international publications.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I am an intellectual property attorney with nearly two decades of experience specializing in trademark law. I studied law at Sussex University and the Inns of Court School of Law. I moved back to Nigeria to attend law school where I received my BL and was hired at a top law firm where I discovered Intellectual Property Law. I then moved back to the UK to gain my masters in IP Law at Kings College London finishing with a distinction and was offered the position of Head of IP at a distinguished firm in Lagos. I established Silvax Legal, a full-service law firm, in 2013, and the firm has since partnered with renowned global IP agency Inventa, providing IP services to Nigeria and West Africa under the umbrella of Inventa Nigeria. Inventa Nigeria is the first international trademark and patent agency in Nigeria. I sit on five boards, one of them being Chellerams PLC as well as being a wife and mother of two children.
Establishing Silvax Legal in 2013 was a bold move. What inspired you to found your own full-service law firm, and how has the journey been since its inception?
I was serving as the head of IP at a leading law firm in Nigeria, and at one point, I genuinely felt I could achieve more. I had countless ideas I wanted to bring to life, and I increasingly felt that the only way to achieve this would be to break out and start my own law practice. I frequently shared my aspirations with my mother, expressing my desire to start my own venture in a few years. Although I didn’t believe I could take that leap while still in my twenties, one day, my mother surprised me by asking, “Why not do it now?” That conversation transformed my idea into a concrete plan, and we spent many evenings at her dining table strategizing to make Silvax Legal a reality. As a gesture of gratitude for her support, I decided to name the firm after her; the name Silvax is derived from my mother’s maiden name, da Silva.
I believed it was essential to carve out my own path in the world and within the legal field. I had a clear vision of what was lacking: a small legal boutique dedicated to administrative law, specifically catering to SMEs. I sensed that many other entrepreneurs likely faced the same challenges I did when starting their own journeys, often feeling lost about where to begin and what steps to take. My goal was to create a space where we could provide guidance. Giving legal advice for every step of the way when establishing a new business. Over the years, Silvax has remained committed to this mission although we have subsequently expanded into new domains as the years have passed by.
How does your dual identity as a Nigerian British lawyer help shape your vision for the role of law in West Africa?
Having completed most of my education and specialization in the UK, I have recognized the immense potential that intellectual property holds for Nigeria and, more broadly, West Africa. In my work here, I have observed that raising awareness about intellectual property is crucial, as many individuals do not fully grasp the significance of their IP rights and how they can positively influence their businesses. While our legal framework is still evolving, we are making significant progress in this sector, and I am thrilled to be in a strong position as these changes unfold, especially after having worked and studied in a more fast-paced environment.
I believe that having dual nationality enhances my understanding of various cultures and their intricacies. This background facilitates my adaptability in diverse situations and lends a distinctive quality to the advice I provide, as well as the manner in which I deliver it.
In an increasingly digital world, how has your role as an IP specialist evolved with the rise of technology and digital innovations?
In a single word, I would say – HUGELY! Traditionally, laws tend to evolve at a slower pace than technology, making it both enjoyable and rewarding to discover innovative methods for safeguarding digital creations and advancements.
We’ve observed that intellectual property is playing a crucial role in emerging industries such as technology, biotechnology, and renewable energy. It promotes innovation and attracts investment, which is both exciting and motivating. In the tech sector, IP protections stimulate the creation of proprietary software and technologies, which are vital for sustaining a competitive advantage.
The fascinating aspect of intellectual property is that it impacts every single business. In many ways, the rise of technology has highlighted the significance of IP, which is truly my primary goal.
As the only female and one of the youngest active board members across multiple organisations, including Chellarams Plc and Greenwich Trustees Ltd., how do you navigate the dynamics of board leadership?
This is an intriguing question. When I first transitioned into boardroom activities, I felt quite nervous, fully aware that my fellow board members had been involved in these areas for much longer than I had as they were all fifteen years or more older than me. Being the only woman on the boards I serve on, as well as the youngest member, made the entire experience quite intimidating. However, I quickly realised that I should focus on my strengths and apply them where needed. I wasn’t appointed to the board to discuss or provide insights on topics my fellow directors could cover better; my role was to bring fresh perspectives. I share insights on branding, social media, and strategies to engage a younger audience. Recently, I presented on JAPA culture and offered advice on staff retention strategies. It’s crucial to embrace your strengths while maintaining politeness. I mention this because the stereotypes about aggressive women and emotional behaviour are very real in corporate environments, the truth is there exists a double standard for women, and we must strive to find equal footing. For example, I never use my children as an excuse for missing a deadline.
The jump into sitting on boards can be abrupt but because one of the services we offer at Silvax Legal is company secretarial services I had already experienced boardroom environments, I work with organisations such as The Aliko Dangote Foundation amongst others so this managed to give me a bit of a softer landing.
Given your participation in leadership across various industries, how do you balance the demands of being a board member and a business leader in your law firm?
I owe my success entirely to my dedicated staff. I have an incredible team in Lagos and at the trademarks registry in Abuja who handle the demands of my legal practice, allowing me the freedom to participate on boards and be a mother. Hiring the right individuals is crucial, and ensuring their happiness is even more essential.
In addition, my days are meticulously planned with various schedules and ‘to-do’ lists. My day begins at 5 a.m. when I review my agenda and emails that came in overnight. After that, I get my children ready to embark on their own day before going to work out and then settling down to work. With 24 hours available each day, I believe it’s vital to make the most of that time by being productive.
How has being a mother influenced your approach to your career, especially in a fast-paced and demanding field like law and intellectual property?
When I initially launched my firm, I was single, which allowed me to concentrate fully on establishing it. Fast forward twelve years, and I’m now married with two young children, resulting in a different dynamic. I have always recognized the importance of starting a family and understood that achieving the right work-life balance from the beginning would be crucial. This is why I have intentionally kept the firm small; I didn’t want it to become too large and all-consuming. I also encourage my staff to embrace this principle, reflecting how we operate as a team. At the beginning of every meeting, I remind everyone that Silvax Legal is a family, and I truly believe that this ethos resonates with all of us. While I have two children, I also consider Silvax Legal my baby. My time and attention are divided among these three important aspects of my life, along with sharing moments with my husband as well! I do feel very blessed to have a supportive husband, he has always encouraged me and been a great source of support for me and all my business endeavours. Running a business can be a bit lonely so having someone I can bounce ideas off and also express concerns to has been invaluable.
In what ways do you believe being a mom has shaped your leadership style, especially in decision-making and long-term planning?
As I mentioned before, the idea of becoming a mother was always in the back of my mind when I launched the firm. When it finally happened, I found that I didn’t have to make many adjustments. I would say that motherhood has made me much more patient and has also sharpened my ability to prioritise how I allocate my time. Most working mothers can relate to the challenge of choosing between attending a meeting or going to their child’s school play—we mothers know that the obvious solution is to ask grandma to take them to the play. On a serious note, learning to balance time and ensuring that I dedicate ample moments to both my children and my work is crucial. It’s wonderful that we now have the convenience of online meetings and the option to work from home occasionally, as these advancements have been beneficial for working mothers around the globe, myself included.
What advice would you give to African entrepreneurs or innovators on protecting their intellectual property, especially when expanding globally?
Have a clear plan from the very beginning; outline the intellectual property (IP) you intend to develop and what needs protection, integrating this into your business plan before you launch. This ensures IP remains a priority. Since most IP is territorial, create a list of the countries you aim to expand into, in order of priority, and seek guidance on the IP laws specific to each region.
I also recommend evaluating your IP portfolio to pinpoint key assets that require protection, enabling clients to allocate resources effectively to valuable innovations while retaining flexibility. Furthermore, I strongly encourage establishing clear contractual agreements, such as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and licensing arrangements, to support partnerships while protecting proprietary information.
Additionally, cultivating a culture of innovation is essential; I suggest holding regular training sessions on IP issues to ensure team members recognize the importance of safeguarding innovations during collaboration. Lastly, I emphasise the necessity of continuously monitoring and adjusting your IP strategy in response to market dynamics and technological progress.
What legacy do you hope to build both as a legal professional and as a mother for the next generation of women?
In 2015, Silvax Legal partnered with Inventa to create Nigeria’s first international IP firm. This achievement represents my legacy, making a significant impact on the legal profession—an accomplishment that was unprecedented and has since been widely replicated. I want all women to understand that challenging the limits of what is acceptable in Nigeria is not only possible but essential.
