Building from strong foundations: how Lagos and Dundee law schools shaped Tamara Egbedi’s global legal career

For highly successful Nigerian cross-border energy lawyer, entrepreneur, and charity leader Tamara Egbedi, choosing where to study was never about prestige. It was about finding institutions that would challenge her thinking, nurture her curiosity, and equip her to solve complex problems throughout her career.

Looking back, she credits the Universities of Lagos (UNILAG) and Dundee with providing complementary strong foundations that have underpinned her successful career spanning international energy law, in-house leadership, and, more recently, the socially driven business she co-founded, Pachamama Foods.

Tamara’s journey also reflects the philosophy behind a new Joint LLM programme launched by UNILAG and Dundee. Designed around an equitable partnership between institutions in the Global South and Global North, the pioneering degree enables students to study at both universities, combining the strengths of the UNILAG and Dundee law schools through shared teaching and supervision.

Born in Nigeria's Delta State, Tamara grew up in Kaduna and Lagos, where she spent most of her childhood. She says she developed an early interest in Nigeria's oil resources and industry through family connections to multinational companies. During her undergraduate years at UNILAG, inspiring lecturers transformed that interest into a career ambition.

"Our lecturers, especially those teaching oil and gas, were exceptional,” she recalls. “They made it really great, and I loved the fact that it was so business-oriented. I knew from then that once I'd finished law school, I was going to specialise in petroleum law or something closely related."

Tamara was accepted for postgraduate studies by several internationally respected universities, including the University of Texas and the University of Alberta.

But for her, the University of Dundee stood apart.

"When I looked at the curriculum, that sealed it for me. It wasn't just petroleum law. They covered mining, gas, electricity, corporate social responsibility, human rights, and macroeconomics. The lecturers weren't simply academics either – many had worked in the industry themselves, so everything was incredibly practical. I had the opportunity to learn so much. If you were looking for the easiest programme, that wasn't Dundee – and that's exactly what I liked about it."

She was well-prepared for Dundee’s demanding approach, thanks to UNILAG.

"I really thank UNILAG because our lecturers taught us to an international standard. There was a huge emphasis on research and critical thinking. It wasn't about memorising textbooks and repeating them. It was about thinking independently and developing your own ideas. When I arrived at Dundee, I realised I had already been prepared for that style of learning."

For Tamara, the two universities each contributed something distinctive; UNILAG taught her that she could be anything, and you don’t have to follow everyone else. Dundee added to that by emphasising there are no limits, with the breadth of subjects and international elements of her LLM studies demonstrating just how many different paths were available to her.

Studying alongside classmates from across several continents broadened Tamara’s outlook, while industry events introduced students directly to energy-sector leaders.

"Our classmates came from Norway, Spain, Venezuela, Ghana, Nigeria, and many other countries,” she recalls, fondly. “Everyone brought examples from their own jurisdictions, so you gained a completely different perspective. You always had people you could go back to – your lecturers, your classmates – and that companionship stayed with you."

After returning to Nigeria, Tamara made what many considered an unconventional decision, leaving a well-paid role at Chevron for private practice to deepen her expertise. "I told my mother something I've never forgotten: knowledge comes first, money comes later. If I have all the knowledge, then eventually I can name my price. I wanted to put everything I'd learnt at UNILAG and Dundee into practice, work on more complex matters and learn from great lawyers. Looking back, it was absolutely the right decision."

That philosophy and approach later underpinned Pachamama Foods, a Nigerian social enterprise and innovative agribusiness Tamara co-founded in 2014 to combat malnutrition through nutritious, locally sourced foods.

While a very different challenge from energy law, Tamara says the skills developed through her Global South-Global North education at UNILAG and Dundee, then her legal career, proved directly transferable to creating and growing Pachamama Foods. "Oil and gas is all about preparation, planning, strategy and understanding your business. I took those lessons into a completely different sector. When I find a problem, I like to find a solution, and that's exactly how Pachamama began."

Her advice to aspiring lawyers reflects the same thoughtful approach that has guided her own career. It’s not about following your heart or your head, but both. "Go with your passion, but be very strategic about it,” says Tamara. “Choose the place that gives you what you want to learn. That's what both the University of Lagos and the University of Dundee did for me."

For more information on the Joint LLM programme, visit here.

The University of Lagos and University of Dundee invite Africa Legal readers to join an Information Session in person (Radisson Hotel, Ikeja) or online on Saturday, 11 July 2026, to learn more about the unique joint LLM programme. Book your place here.