Development Economist | Legal Practitioner | Security Policy Analyst | Executive Director
Barr. Emesiabum Nnamdi Fred is a seasoned Development Economist and Legal Practitioner respectively with over 2 decades of professional experience spanning economic development, legal advocacy, security policy, and international diplomacy. Called to the Nigerian Bar, he brings years of post-call legal experience in complex litigation, legislative drafting, anti-corruption, and national security law to his role as Executive Director of the International Institute for African Defense, Security and Governance (IIADSGov). He is also a World Bank-trained business development expert specializing in MSME incubation and growth. He obtained Virginia Tech University’s advanced certificate in Leadership and Modern Management of Tertiary Education Institutions in 2010. In 2014, he attended the NDU SpiCE IMET program hosted by the NDU Foundation at the U.S. National Defense University Washington DC. He is a member of the U.S. National Defense Industrial Association and the NUSA–U.S. Commercial Service Network of the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in Nigeria (since 2009). Also a member of the Nigeria – Israel Chamber of Commerce & Bilateral Trade.
Career Highlights and Contributions:
- Entrepreneurship & MSME Development: Initiated Nigeria’s first PPP Export Promotion Executive Course in partnership with the University of Abuja and NEPC, training over 200 exporters.
- International Collaboration: Facilitated faculty/research exchange between Virginia Tech and Nigeria’s NCCE under the World Bank STEP-B Programme (2009–2012).
- Security & Defense Capacity Building: Guest speaker at Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) Executive Intelligence Management Course (2013); coordinated training for Nigeria Police, Customs, Immigration, and DSS globally.
- Customs Reform: Played a key role in modernizing Nigeria Customs (2008–2013), leading to WCO accreditation of Customs Command Staff College, Gwagwalada.
- Legal Practice: Principal Partner at Top Class Solicitors, with a portfolio including litigation, legislative drafting, and government advisory. Appointed External Solicitor to the Nigerian Army and Prosecutor to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, with prosecutorial experience in terrorism and corruption cases.
- Policy Engagement: Participated in the World Bank Fragility Conference (2018 & 2019) and served on policy platforms with Africa Capacity Building Fund (ACBF) and Nigeria-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Professional Memberships:
- Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) – MCIArb
- Nigerian Institute of Capital Market Registrars (NICMR)
- World Bank Civil Society Group
Pro Bono & Community Service:
Barr. Fred is deeply committed to public service and civic engagement. He has served as Policy Adviser to the American International School, Abuja, and currently offers pro bono legal counsel to several organizations, including the Apo Neighborhood Security Association and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies Alumni Chapter (Nigeria). His pro bono work extends to providing legal aid to indigent citizens, prison visitation, and facilitating justice for underserved detainees.
Global Engagement:
He has participated in several global policy and development forums, including UN conferences in China, Japan, Israel, the UK, and across Africa. Notably, he facilitated Nigeria’s participation in the Competence Africa Security Conference (Abidjan, 2021) and attended both the Israel Prime Minister’s Conference and the Israel–Africa Green Revolution Conference in 2008.