How Modestus Alozie, is Building Safer Contracts for Tomorrow’s Cities

By Tosin Clegg

In today’s world, where skylines are dotted with cranes and governments tout ambitious infrastructure projects, the challenge is not just building but finishing. Too often, cities are left with abandoned sites, inflated budgets, and endless court disputes. For Modestus Chukwuma Alozie, a corporate counsel specializing in engineering and construction law, the answer lies in one thing: better contracts.

From Abuja to Chicago, Alozie has carved out a reputation as a lawyer who treats contracts not as routine paperwork but as the lifeblood of infrastructure development. “Every road, power plant, or railway begins on paper,” he says. “If the contract is weak, the project itself is standing on shaky ground.”

Alozie’s journey into this niche began in Nigeria, where he worked at Paul Usoro & Co, one of the country’s most prominent law firms. There, he advised on high-stakes projects, including power plant financing in the south and mono-light railway construction in the north. He also represented regulators, government departments, and international oil corporations — experiences that taught him how infrastructure ambitions can be derailed by contractual flaws.

His career then took him to the United States, where he broadened his scope. At DMS Solutions, he managed health infrastructure contracts that expanded the company’s footprint. He stands at the intersection of management, law and infrastructure development.

What makes Alozie stand out is his philosophy: contracts are not just legal shields; they are tools of trust. “When engineers, financiers, and governments sit at the table, they are not just exchanging documents,” he explains. “They are deciding whether communities will get light, water, and transportation. The contract carries that responsibility.”

This people-centered view is why Alozie emphasizes risk management and dispute prevention. While many lawyers prepare for litigation, he designs contracts that anticipate conflicts before they arise, ensuring that projects can move forward smoothly. “Litigation is failure,” he says plainly. “The goal is always to build, not to stall.”

His peers say this approach reflects a rare blend of legal expertise and practical foresight. Alozie connects business strategy with legal frameworks — a crucial skill in the increasingly complex world of public-private partnerships.

Recognition has followed. He earned CALI Awards in mergers and acquisitions law during his post graduate legal studies in the U.S., highlighting his ability to navigate the financial complexities that often accompany large infrastructure projects. He is also an active member of International Bar Association, keeping him engaged with global best practices.

But beyond credentials, it is his vision that keeps him in the spotlight. Alozie wants to see African nations adopt stronger, globally informed contract models that prevent the endless cycle of abandoned projects. “We cannot keep celebrating groundbreaking ceremonies only to forget completion,” he argues. “The contract must hold everyone accountable, from start to finish.”

His insistence on transparency is another cornerstone of his work. He believes that corruption thrives in contract ambiguity and that standardized, well-drafted agreements are the best antidote. For him, technology will play a big role, allowing governments and the public to track obligations in real time.

Colleagues describe him as a strategist who speaks the languages of both lawyers and engineers. He doesn’t just point out risks; he provides solutions that keep construction moving. This rare ability to bridge disciplines has made him a trusted advisor in multimillion-dollar deals.

Looking ahead, Alozie sees infrastructure law as one of the defining professions of the future. With urbanization accelerating and nations racing to modernize, he believes lawyers who can align legal terms with engineering realities will shape how cities function.