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Nj Ayuk

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Nj Ayuk
Born (1980-02-11) February 11, 1980 (age 44)
Mamfe, Cameroon
Alma materUniversity of Maryland College Park (BS)
William Mitchell College of Law (JD)
New York Institute of Technology (MBA)
Occupation(s)Attorney, Author, Entrepreneur
Websitehttps://njayuk.com/

Nj Ayuk (born 11 February 1980) is a Cameroonian attorney, author, and businessman.[1][2][3]

Ayuk is the founder and former chief executive officer (CEO) of the Centurion Law Group, a Pan-African law firm that operates in the energy, financial, and extractive sectors. He is also the executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber.[4][5][6] He has previously been convicted of fraud.[7][8]

He is the author of several books and articles on energy. His book, A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix, was listed in the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.[9]

Early life and education

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Ayuk was born 1980 in Cameroon.[10] In 2000, he moved to the USA and studied at the University of Maryland, College Park, graduating with a bachelors in government and politics. In 2004, he earned a Juris Doctor degree at William Mitchell College of Law in the United States.[11] Additionally, he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the New York Institute of Technology.[12][13][14]

Career

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Ayuk started his career at Baker Botts and then moved to the United Nations Development Programme.[15] He also worked at Vanco Energy.[15]

In 2007, a few months after working as a lawyer in the United States, NJ Ayuk founded the Centurion Law Group.[16] Based in South Africa, the firm became one of the largest energy-focused law firms on the continent, with nearly 160 lawyers across Africa.[11] It is also the first African law firm to be listed on the German stock exchange.[11] Also in 2007, Ayuk pleaded guilty to "illegally using a U.S. Congressman’s stationery and signature stamp to obtain visas for Cameroonians.[17]

In 2013, the government of Equatorial Guinea hired Ayuk to renegotiate the country’s one sided agreement with British multinational BG Group (later acquired by Shell), committing to purchase all of Equatorial Guinea’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 17 years.[18] Ayuk was becoming a sought-after source of information on Africa’s oil and gas industry.[18] Also in 2013, NJ Ayuk joined Global Shapers, a non-profit foundation created by the World Economic Forum to unite a community of young leaders.[11]

In 2018, NJ Ayuk was chosen to lead the African Energy Chamber. The organization aims to support the development of the African energy sector and promote best practices.[19][20][21]

In 2019, Centurion Law Group launched Centurion International AG.[19] The Germany-based energy advisory and legal services company was formed to facilitate African energy expansion and serve as a gateway for investors to participate in Africa’s development.[22]

In 2022, Centurion International AG became the first Africa-focused services firm to have its shares listed on a German Stock Exchange.[11][23] In the same 2022, the South African High Court ruled that Ayuk issued defamatory remarks towards the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and journalist Delfin Mocache.[24]

In 2023, the Mail & Guardian reported that bogus copyright complaints were made to remove unflattering material about Ayuk and a politician.[25][26]

In 2024, Ayuk stepped down as head of Centurion Law Group to focus on his work at the African Energy Chamber (AEC). [27]

Energy stance

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After working for the United Nations Development Programme in Darfur, Sudan, Ayuk concluded that the war was rooted in a struggle for natural resources and the wealth associated with them. He soon after shifted his career to focus on Africa's energy resources.[28]

His second book Billions at Play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals has been described as a roadmap for how the continent could better diversify its oil and gas to improve people’s lives and grow African economies.[29]

A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix discusses the solution of moving Africa toward renewable sources of energy at the same time allowing the people to benefit from the continent’s fossil fuels.[30][31] Ayuk argues how Africans should be able to continue benefiting from their natural resources, even as much of the world pushes the continent to leave its fossil fuels in support of global net-zero emissions objectives.[32] [33] He states that the entire continent produces only 3.8% of the world’s emissions, and, even if the continent tripled its natural gas-powered electricity consumption, the additional carbon dioxide would be the equivalent of only 1% of global emissions.[34] He has said: “A continent that emits a negligible amount of carbon dioxide is being disproportionately pegged as a threat to the planet by developed nations."[35][21]

Recognition

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In 2015, he was listed in Forbes' Top 10 Most Influential Men in Africa.[19] Ayuk was named as one of the 100 Most Reputable Africans in 2023 by Reputation Poll International.[36][37][38]

Bibliography

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Books

  • Nj, Ayuk (2021). Billions at play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals, USA: Made for Success Publishing, ISBN 978-1913136345.
  • Nj, Ayuk (2017). Big Barrels: African Oil and Gas and the Quest for Prosperity, USA: Clink Street Publishing, ISBN 978-1911525592.
  • Nj, Ayuk (2023) A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix, Made for Success, ISBN 978-1641467506.

Articles

  • Ayuk, Nj. (25 May 2021). "Net Zero? Not For Africa. Not Yet. Africa Must Fight Energy Poverty with Oil and Gas Development".[39]
  • Ayuk, Nj. "Energy Industry will be the bedrock of Africa’s Road to Recovery".[40]
  • Ayuk, Nj. (28 December 2020). "A Few Thoughts for this Generation of Africans in 2021: Be Bold and Cut Out Entitlement, No One Owes Us Anything".[41]
  • Ayuk, Nj (3 January 2020). "What will it take for 2020 to truly be the year of Gas in Nigeria?".[42]

References

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  1. ^ Oboh, Agbokshe (2 November 2019). "Intra-African energy dialogue has remained low — N. J. Ayuk". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  2. ^ Ayuk, N. J. (7 March 2021). "N.J. Ayuk, President, African Energy Chamber, Author Billions at Play | OILWOMAN Magazine". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Nj Ayuk, Centurion Law Group Pty LTD: Profile and Biography". www.bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  4. ^ "NJ Ayuk". whoswholegal. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  5. ^ "NJ Ayuk JD, MBA". Advisory Excellence. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  6. ^ Netabai, Leah (19 May 2020). "Nj Ayuk named one of the most influential Africans | Leadership & Strategy". Business Chief EMEA. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Former Payne intern pleads guilty to illegally using congressman's stationery and signature stamp". www.politico.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. ^ "How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists". BBC. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Bestselling Books Week Ended May 13". Wall Street Journal. 18 May 2023.
  10. ^ "N. J. Ayuk Archives". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e Tetougueni, Cyrille (19 May 2024). "NJ Ayuk : Championing Energy Justice in Africa". Global Infrastructure Review. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Meet the Boss: NJ Ayuk, managing partner, Centurion Law Group". How We Made It In Africa. 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  13. ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "Meet NJ Ayuk, The 38-Year-Old Attorney Who Runs One Of Africa's Most Successful Law Conglomerates". Forbes. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  14. ^ "NJ Ayuk, Managing Partner, Centurion LLP". ecafrica. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Meet NJ Ayuk, The 38-Year-Old Attorney Who Runs One Of Africa's Most Successful Law Conglomerates". Forbes. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Centurion Law Group Overview". Pitchbook.
  17. ^ Farand, Chloé (9 November 2022). "UN gives platform to convicted fraudster lobbying for African gas". Climate Home News.
  18. ^ a b "How one West African gas deal makes BG Group billions". reuters.com. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  19. ^ a b c "NJ Ayuk: Humble US Trained Dealmaker, Who Is on a Mission to Empower African Legal and Energy Industry and Fight for the Indigenous People's Welfare". CEO World. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  20. ^ "NJ Ayuk Discusses How an Energy Transition Can Benefit Africa". Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b "NJ Ayuk Shares Plan To Provide Electricity to 600 Million More Africans - ZambiaNews365.com". zambianews365.com. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Centurion Law Group announces intention to pursue Public Listing". Top Africa News.
  23. ^ "First African company listed on German stock exchange". African Courier. 4 February 2022.
  24. ^ "South African Court Rules NJ Ayuk Defamed Journalist & OCCRP". www.occrp.org.
  25. ^ "Bogus copyright complaints seek to remove negative reports on minister and lawyer". Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  26. ^ "How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists". 2 March 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  27. ^ Reed, Ed (29 December 2023). "NJ Ayuk steps back from Centurion". Energy Voice. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  28. ^ "NJ Ayuk: Billions at Play". ESPN. 5 October 2019.
  29. ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong (7 October 2019). "'Billions At Play' Is A Comprehensive But Entertaining Look At Africa's Oil & Gas Present And Future". Forbes.
  30. ^ "NJ Ayuk Shares His Thoughts on How a New Energy Sector Can Help African Women | IT News Africa | Business Technology, Telecoms and Startup News". 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  31. ^ varsha (4 July 2023). "How NJ Ayuk Turned Being a Lawyer Into Being Social Engineer". southernafrican.news. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  32. ^ Flanakin, Duggan (19 March 2023). "Ayuk's a just transition: Blueprint for an African century". CFACT.
  33. ^ samanvya (24 April 2023). "NJ Ayuk Discusses 21st-Century Solutions To Address Climate Change in Africa and Across the Globe". southernafrican.news. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  34. ^ "CDP AFRICA REPORT" (PDF). CDP. March 2020.
  35. ^ Ghilotti, David (5 November 2022). "COP27 should not bar Africa from fossil fuels exploitation, says regional lobby group". Upstream.
  36. ^ Articles, S. A. T. (7 March 2023). "How Big Energy Lawyer NJ Ayuk Stays Idealistic in the Face of Doubters". South Africa Today. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  37. ^ AfricaNews (3 January 2023). "'100 Most Reputable Africans' in 2023 announced". Africanews. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  38. ^ "NJ Ayuk Listed among 100 Most Reputable Africans in 2023 (By Boris Esono Nwenfor & Sonita Ngunyi Nwohtazie)". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 11 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  39. ^ Ayuk, Nj (25 May 2021). "Net Zero? Not For Africa. Not Yet. Africa Must Fight Energy Poverty with Oil and Gas Development (By NJ Ayuk)". CNBC Africa. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Energy Industry will be the bedrock of Africa's Road to Recovery (By NJ Ayuk)". BI Africa. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  41. ^ Group, Apo (28 December 2020). "A Few Thoughts for this Generation of Africans in 2021: Be Bold and Cut Out Entitlement, No One Owes Us Anything (By NJ Ayuk)". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  42. ^ "What Will It Take For 2020 To Truly Be The Year Of Gas In Nigeria?". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
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