By Jemi Ekunkunbor

Omoruyi Edoigiawerie, popularly known and addressed by friends and associates as Uyilaw, is the Founder and Lead Partner of EandC Legal, a leading startup law firm. He is a renowned Startup Attorney and Notary Public of Nigeria, with over 15 years of commercial legal practice spanning startup, technology, and innovation law. His deep understanding of—and support for—the startup ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa has made him renowned and the go-to lawyer for startup-related legal issues.

Educated at the University of Lagos, where he obtained both his first and second degrees in Law, Omoruyi’s 12-year career stint at the UNCTAD Empretec Nigeria Foundation, where he rose to the position of Group General Counsel, exposed him to the real challenges businesses face. Convinced that for a startup to thrive, legal advice must be clear, commercially grounded, and forward-looking, and having worked closely with entrepreneurs, institutions, and policymakers, he garnered sufficient insight to chart a new course. In 2021, he left to establish EandC Legal with a deliberate vision: to build a modern law firm that partners with businesses—particularly startups and growth-stage companies—to help them navigate complexity, manage risk, and scale sustainably.

His keen insight into emerging markets, combined with his expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection, and Corporate Governance, sets him apart as a trusted startup advisor navigating growth, investment, and complex regulatory environments.

In 2024, Omoruyi received the Royal African Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to the legal, tech, and innovation sectors. Yesterday, the man known for facilitating strategic deals and partnerships that drive growth and cross-border collaboration between startups and ecosystem players—both locally and globally—turned 40.

For a lawyer whose practice spans commercial contracts, corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and tax advisory—especially in the face of Nigeria’s newly implemented tax law—we spoke with Uyilaw on startups, the new tax regime, turning 40, and family life.

The man noted for shaping the country’s startup landscape and celebrated for his transformative impact on Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem proved to be an interviewer’s delight. He served brilliance in this engaging encounter. Enjoy.

You could have chosen any field of endeavour in which to practice law; what attracted you to startups?

I spent a large part of my early career interacting with entrepreneurs, understanding their challenges, fears, and ambitions firsthand. That exposure showed me the profound impact thoughtful legal guidance can have in shaping the journey of a business, from idea to institution. Startups sit at the intersection of courage and uncertainty. What drew me in was not their size, but their audacity, the willingness to imagine a future before the world is ready for it. They are conversations with tomorrow, and I wanted EandC Legal to be part of building that tomorrow, not merely reacting to it. I consider it a privilege to help ideas survive their most fragile years.

Before success came your way, take us through your very first startup brief. How did it go?

It went exactly how first things usually go (chuckles), messy, hopeful, and unforgettable. The founder was learning business, I was learning startups, and the law was learning both of us. It was the beginning of my education beyond textbooks. The founder had more vision than structure, and I had more theory than experience. We learned together. That brief taught me that startup law is less about law, really, and more about understanding the ecosystem that drives it.

Given Nigeria’s complex regulatory environment, what immediate challenges do startups face?

Uncertainty. Regulations are layered, sometimes conflicting, and often poorly communicated. For startups, the greatest challenge is not compliance itself but understanding what to comply with and when.

What is the most common legal pitfall startups encounter?

Delay. Many founders postpone legal structure until money arrives or problems surface. By then, the cost, both financial and relational, is significantly higher. I think another equally important pitfall, is assuming goodwill will replace documentation. It never does.

How do you balance legal compliance with the need for speed in a startup?

By approaching compliance as an enabler rather than a brake, I call it compliance by design. When legal and regulatory requirements are built into the business from the start, they create clarity, reduce risk, and give founders the confidence to move quickly. Properly designed compliance doesn’t slow you down; it lays the foundation for speed that is sustainable and secure.

How can startups protect their intellectual property in Nigeria?

Treat your ideas like assets, not just inspiration. Register early, document ownership clearly, and never assume trust replaces paper.

What are the top three legal documents every startup should have?

Every startup should start with clarity and structure. That means a solid founders’ agreement that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, and equity; corporate governance documents that set out how the company is run, and decisions are made; and contracts that secure intellectual property and key business relationships. These are not just paperwork; they are the foundation that allows a startup to scale confidently and avoid unnecessary disputes.

How do you advise startups on fundraising and regulatory compliance?

If I am being honest, not every startup should raise capital early, or even at all. Before thinking about investors, founders need clarity on product-market fit and the sustainability of their business model. Fundraising should support a business that already works in the market, not define it. The right capital aligns with structure, strategy, and long-term governance, ensuring growth is deliberate and enduring rather than reactive and short-lived.

Last year stretched many businesses in Nigeria for obvious reasons. Do you see things getting better?

I see resilience; you know, Nigeria has a way of stretching you without breaking you. Businesses are leaner now, wiser, and far more intentional; they have learned to adapt faster than policy can change. While conditions remain tough, clarity and discipline will separate survivors from casualties.

How do you think the new tax laws will impact small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria?

They will demand more intentionality. SMEs will need better record-keeping and advisory support, but those who adapt early will find opportunities within the reforms.

Are there tax exemptions for startups, and how can businesses qualify?

Yes, there are tax incentives available to startups in Nigeria, but they are not automatic. Exemptions and reliefs, whether under pioneer status, sector-specific incentives, or emerging startup-focused policies, favour businesses that are properly structured, transparent, and compliant from the outset. In practice, qualification is less about lobbying and more about discipline: clear incorporation, accurate records, timely filings, and an understanding of which incentives align with the company’s actual activities.

Are there specific tax obligations for remote workers?

Yes. Remote workers who are tax residents in Nigeria are required to pay personal income tax on their worldwide income, including earnings from foreign companies. The fact that the employer is offshore or the work is done digitally does not remove the obligation. In today’s economy, income follows the individual, not the location of the laptop, making awareness and proper compliance essential for both workers and employers.

Do you think startups will fare better this year?

Those built on substance, not speculation, will. The era of easy narratives and quick wins is over; this is the season of strong fundamentals. Startups that understand their customers, manage cash prudently, and build for sustainability rather than hype, will not only survive but also mature. It may not be an easy year, but it will be a defining one for businesses prepared to do the work.

Where do you see yourself this year?

Focused. Building quietly, advising deeply, and strengthening institutions that will last. This is a season of intentional work: fewer distractions, clearer priorities, and a deeper commitment to excellence. I am investing more time in building systems, mentoring people, and contributing to structures that create value long after the spotlight has moved on. The goal is not visibility, but durability.

You turned 40 yesterday. What is it like to have come this far so early?

It is gratifying but also sobering. While I am profoundly grateful to God for this milestone, I also know that it has created a space for reflection, they force you to pause and take honest stock of the journey. You realise that speed, while impressive, is far less important than direction, and that early success carries with it the responsibility of endurance. At 40, perspective deepens: achievements matter, but sustainability matters more. The focus shifts from proving capacity to stewarding it wisely, ensuring that what has been built can stand the test of time and continue to serve a purpose beyond personal milestones.

What is life like at 40?

Life at 40 is a blend of laughter, humility, and reflection. You start to feel the aches you never noticed before, and you realise you are no longer that young – ouch! “Ah, 40 don show, but we still dey!” My children now see me as old school, and some of the things they introduce me to, make me feel like I’m an illiterate. For the first time, I understand a little of how my mum must have felt.

Beyond the jokes, life at this age is calmer and more deliberate. You move with intention, dream with clarity, and focus on what truly matters: preserving values, nurturing relationships, and living with purpose. You stop chasing applause and start building impact. Life stops feeling like a race and begins to feel like a journey you actually get to design. Decisions are taken with a longer view, and success is measured not by noise, but by meaning, alignment, and lasting impact.

What is the greatest lesson life has taught you?

That consistency outlasts brilliance. Talent and flashes of genius are admirable, but they are fleeting without discipline. Showing up, day after day, quietly compounding effort and integrity, builds foundations that endure. Life has taught me that steady, deliberate action often produces far more lasting results than sporadic brilliance, and that the legacy you leave is rarely in the headlines; it is in the systems, relationships, and impact that survive long after the spotlight moves on.

For young people who are trying to settle into their chosen career fields, what advice do you have for them?

Prepare for it before it arrives. Prayer opens doors, but discipline keeps you in the room.

What do you look forward to now?

I am focused on building EandC Legal into a firm that delivers consistently for our clients and empowers our team to grow. This year is about strengthening systems, improving processes, and creating structures that enable the firm to run more effectively, allowing us to serve startups and businesses more efficiently. It’s about impact that lasts, not just quick wins. This is where fulfilment truly lies.

If you were given an all-expenses-paid trip for your birthday, where would your destination be?

Somewhere that allows space to think and reflect, quiet places with history, where the pace of life slows, and you are forced to confront ideas, decisions, and direction, less about luxury and more about perspective, clarity, and the kind of stillness that lets you see the next steps clearly.

And where would that be?

I think that will be Cape Town in South Africa.

Are you a football fan? If yes, which club do you support?

I am not really a football fan, but if I were to pick sides, I would align with Enyimba FC of Aba. Right from my childhood days in eastern Nigeria, they have always demonstrated a level of resilience and consistency that sets them apart from their peers. On the global stage, Chelsea FC appeals to me, not just for their history of success, but for the way they rebuild, adapt, and maintain a culture of competitiveness over time.

Who has had the biggest influence on you career-wise?

On the biggest influence on my career: I wouldn’t attribute it to any single individual. However, my mum has had an outsized and deeply formative influence on my life, my values, my discipline, and my overall outlook. She instilled structure very early on: doing the right thing even when no one was watching, respecting time, and taking responsibility for outcomes rather than making excuses. Growing up, there was a clear expectation of excellence and consistency, and that discipline has stayed with me. It shaped how I work, how I lead, and how seriously I take my commitments today. In many ways, she laid the foundation for the person and professional I have become.

Beyond that, my former employers over the years have also contributed significantly to my career. Each experience sharpened my thinking, exposed me to different leadership styles, and helped me develop practical skills that continue to inform how I approach my work and decision-making.

You have a young family, with so much on your plate, how do you ensure the home front does not suffer?

Balancing work and family isn’t really about keeping two separate worlds in perfect harmony; it’s about integration. My wife has been key to helping me understand this. She’s a fantastic homemaker and the backbone of our home. She keeps everything running smoothly, makes our family life joyful and grounded, and reminds me that family isn’t something to squeeze in around work, it’s part of how life works.

Her example and support have taught me to be intentional with my time: to be fully present at home, to prioritise the moments that matter, and to involve my family in my journey rather than trying to compartmentalise everything.

 There are days when work demands a lot, and days when family must come first, and she helps me navigate both without feeling like one side is failing.

Honestly, I have learnt that when the home life is properly aligned, it doesn’t compete with work; it actually makes everything else flow better and I have learned this from her as she makes the home a place that allows me to show up fully at work and at life.