Dayo Ogunyemi | Top 40 Under 40 2025

Age: 37

Occupation: Legal Counsel, Alberta Energy Regulator

Growing up in Nigeria, Dayo Ogunyemi saw first-hand the destruction the oil and gas industry can create. Since then, he has committed himself to ensuring responsible resource development on two continents.

More than 10 years into his career as a lawyer and working at the time with Bennett Jones in Calgary, Ogunyemi faced a seemingly difficult decision: keep going down the corporate road or forgo the substantially bigger paycheques to devote himself to public service.

“For me, it was about ensuring that I could make a more meaningful impact,” says Ogunyemi about choosing to take a job with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in 2024.

As legal counsel for AER, the provincial agency responsible for regulating the development of energy resources in Alberta, Ogunyemi provides legal advice on land, water and climate issues. He helps develop new policies, works with regulatory teams to ensure energy companies comply with environmental legislation and helps provide legal actions when they don’t.

“What I value so much about my role at the AER is the impact, helping shape decisions that balance responsible business development with environmental protection and community interest,” says Ogunyemi.

Beyond his day job, Ogunyemi is the president of the Alberta chapter of Global Lawyers of Canada, a national association dedicated to fostering a diverse and competitive legal market in Canada. While it is not possible to confirm, Ogunyemi says it is most likely the largest organization of internationally trained lawyers (ITLs) in Canada. He co-created the first-ever national ITL conference in Calgary last April. The event was Canada’s largest-ever gathering of internationally trained lawyers.

He is also co-founder and director of the African Scholars Initiative (ASI), a non-profit devoted to mentoring emerging students of African descent who want to pursue graduate studies in Canada.

Through his church, Ogunyemi offers free music lessons to youth in the community. An almost entirely self-taught musician, Ogunyemi now plays 17 instruments.

“Music is something that I’m really passionate about. It helps to bring people together, it’s a language we all can speak, that we all share.”

Thank yous
“My Saviour, Jesus Christ; my wife, Dr. Tito (a Top 40 alumna!), for being my greatest cheerleader; my amazing daughters, Tiwalade and Temilade; my parents, siblings, and in-laws; Goke and Bimbo Arowosebe; Dr. Monty Ghosh; Karen Lilly; Professor Gideon Christian; Professor Al Lucas, KC; Professor Allan Ingelson; Vivek Warrier; Kola Collins; The Council of 7; my church, RCCG Rehoboth Assembly; GLC; my friends; all those who have supported me; and my colleagues at the AER.”