Tri-Jurisdiction Lawyer Adeola Okesiji Sets Benchmark in Global Privacy and Compliance Law

By Salami Adeyinka

In a world where the lines between jurisdictions blur as quickly as data crosses borders, Adeola Okesiji stands out as a powerful example of what a modern lawyer can and should be. With licenses to practice in New York, Ontario, Alberta, and Nigeria, Okesiji is among a rarefied class of legal professionals fluent in the intricacies of international law, privacy regulation, and corporate governance. His work is not just theoretical or policy-oriented, it has tangible, life-changing consequences for governments, institutions, and ordinary citizens whose personal information flows through systems every day.

From the bustling legal courts of Lagos to the provincial offices of Alberta, Okesiji’s career reflects a determined, deliberate path toward making privacy law not just enforceable but also ethical and accessible. His work has directly influenced how government bodies handle sensitive personal data, how public servants understand their obligations under privacy legislation, and how institutions create systems that protect people rather than expose them.

When Okesiji served as Senior Privacy Advisor for the Government of Alberta’s Department of Technology and Innovation, he was the firewall between systemic vulnerabilities and public trust. His interpretations of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) didn’t remain within briefing notes, they were transformed into live policy decisions, actionable advice to public agencies, and responses to real-time breaches that could otherwise have exposed thousands of Albertans to identity theft or medical data misuse. The impact was not confined to paper; it was embedded in the operational DNA of entire departments. When a data breach occurred, it was Okesiji’s expertise that helped contain the fallout, guide internal investigations, and ensure future preventive measures were rooted in both compliance and compassion.

Before that, in the Northwest Territories, he held the pivotal role of ATIPP/HIA Coordinator at a time when healthcare systems were under intense pressure due to rising digitalization and systemic transitions. There, his work went beyond policy compliance. By ensuring that patients’ medical histories, treatment plans, and personal identifiers were handled in accordance with the Health Information Act and ATIPP Act, he directly protected the rights and dignity of people who may never know his name but who benefitted from his vigilance. In a region where access to services often intersects cultural sensitivities and geographic remoteness, his role helped safeguard vulnerable populations from administrative neglect and systemic oversight.

Even earlier in his career, Okesiji’s work in Nigeria marked his as a formidable legal strategist. Serving as Company Secretary and Group Governance Advisor for the Nigerian Baptist Convention, he dealt with complex legal issues involving property disputes, personnel conflicts, and fiduciary responsibilities. His legal counsel often prevented costly litigation and ensured that church leadership could focus on service, not legal entanglements. In these moments, he wasn’t just defending an organization, he was preserving its mission and protecting its reputation.

During this period, he also served as Legal Adviser for Bowen University and sat on the Governing Council of both Bowen University and Bowen University Teaching Hospital from 2011 to 2018, where he led their legal and compliance regime with distinction. His leadership ensured that governance policies met both national and institutional standards while aligning with the broader mission of educational and healthcare excellence. In addition, he provided critical legal oversight for Baptist Press Nigeria Ltd. and Baptist Bookstore Ltd., where his expertise strengthened operational integrity, publishing rights, and corporate compliance frameworks.

At Bowen Microfinance Bank Ltd., his tenure as Company Secretary also had real-world implications. By developing internal compliance structures and ensuring alignment with Nigerian privacy and banking laws, he played a direct role in safeguarding financial information for countless account holders. These were not faceless clients on a spreadsheet, they were market women, small-scale entrepreneurs, and young professionals relying on microfinance to support their futures. His governance frameworks helped prevent fraud, ensured legal recourse in financial disputes, and provided clients with confidence that their data and savings were safe.

What makes Adeola Okesiji particularly impactful is that his credentials, while impressive, LL.M. from the University of Ibadan, certifications from IAPP and CRCMP, and calls to four Bars, never eclipse his commitment to service. He sees privacy not merely as a legal requirement but as a human right. His pursuit of the CIPP/E certification underscores his forward-looking focus on Europe’s rigorous data protection frameworks, preparing his to help organizations navigate the increasingly global nature of compliance.

His current practice at Rockshield Law Office is already making waves. Here, he brings the full breadth of his international experience to bear, advising clients on privacy strategy, risk management, and regulatory adherence. Small businesses, non-profits, and multinational organizations alike turn to his not only for legal advice but for structural resilience. When organizations face inquiries from privacy commissioners, audits of their compliance procedures, or legal threats arising from data mishandling, it is Okesiji who helps them steady the ship. His work often means the difference between a minor corrective action and a major reputational or financial disaster.

What’s most remarkable is how often his work occurs behind the scenes, in boardrooms, policy documents, training workshops, and strategic advisories, far from public accolades but central to public good. He trains government staff to recognize red flags in privacy protocols. He leads breach investigations that result in stronger safeguards. He reviews system architectures to ensure that access to personal data is role-based and need-driven. And through all of this, his impact ripples out: fewer breaches, stronger legal compliance, and better-informed public servants.

Okesiji’s cross-jurisdictional practice reflects a legal philosophy as global as it is grounded. He understands that in our interconnected world, a privacy breach in one city can have implications across borders. That’s why his ability to work seamlessly across Alberta’s FOIP, Ontario’s FIPPA, New York’s privacy statutes, and Nigeria’s data governance frameworks isn’t just impressive, it’s essential.

In Adeola Okesiji, the legal profession has found not just a knowledgeable lawyer but a true guardian of privacy, compliance, and ethical governance. His influence is measured not by headlines but by the security of systems, the integrity of institutions, and the peace of mind of the people whose data he protects every day.