Emilia Onyema is an accomplished independent arbitrator, qualified to practice law in Nigeria and as a Solicitor in England & Wales. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with a vast range of experience as a presiding, co and sole arbitrator and acting as a legal expert witness in international arbitration.
In addition to her professional work, Emilia is a Professor of International Commercial Law at SOAS University of London, where she convenes the SOAS Arbitration in Africa conference series, leads the SOAS Arbitration in Africa biennial survey research project, and actively publishes and speaks on topics relevant to her research interests. She is also a Board member of the Africa Arbitration Association, the Lagos Court of Arbitration, the BVI Centre Arbitration Committee, a LACIAC Court member, and the Casablanca International Mediation and Arbitration centre, among others.
Emilia co-authored the African Promise and founded the Arbitration Fund for African Students (AFAS), a registered charitable organisation in England that supports students interested in arbitration. Her research interests focus on the development of international arbitration in Africa and the engagement of Africans in international arbitration.
