Dr. Tony Agums Francis, KSC

Dr. Tony Agums Francis, KSC

PhD; LL.M; LL.B; B.L (NLS); Notary Public of Nigeria; KSC

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Rivers State University
Postgraduate Coordinator, Faculty of Law, Rivers State University
Member, Senate, Rivers State University
Editor-in-Chief, Global Insights Law Journal (GILJ)

Telephone: +234 803 779 2125
Email: tony.francis@ust.edu.ng | tonylegbor@gmail.com

Sir Dr. Tony Agums Francis, KSC, is a distinguished legal scholar, thoroughbred legal practitioner, Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and academic administrator. He is an indigene of Elele-Alimini in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.

His educational background reflects a robust interdisciplinary foundation. He obtained the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) Advanced Level Certificate and a Diploma in Applied Theology. He subsequently earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree, Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) from the Nigerian Law School; Master of Laws (LL.M) degree, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law.

Called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008, Dr. Francis has established a distinguished career that seamlessly integrates legal practice, teaching, research, and academic leadership. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, where he also serves as the Postgraduate Coordinator of the Faculty and a Member of the Senate of Rivers State University. He teaches and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students in Environmental Law, Environmental Law and Policy, Law of Evidence, and Oil Mining Law, while mentoring emerging legal scholars and researchers.

Dr. Francis is a prolific academic with approximately forty scholarly publications in reputable national and international journals. His research interests span environmental law, petroleum and energy law, natural resources law, the law of evidence, and other contemporary areas of legal scholarship. His contributions to legal research, teaching, and postgraduate supervision have earned him several academic recognitions and professional commendations.

He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Global Insights Law Journal (GILJ), an international peer-reviewed law journal dedicated to advancing high-quality legal scholarship, interdisciplinary research, and global academic discourse. Under his editorial leadership, the Journal promotes rigorous peer review, academic excellence, and the dissemination of innovative legal research addressing contemporary national, regional, and international legal issues.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Francis is an accomplished legal practitioner with nearly two decades of professional experience. He is the Founding and Principal Partner of Tony and Legbor Legal Practice and Consultancy and also serves as a Partner at Imperial Spring Law and Partners. As a Notary Public of Nigeria, he provides specialised notarial and legal services while maintaining an active legal practice alongside his academic responsibilities.

Dr. Francis is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT). He is also a Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), reflecting his commitment to ethical leadership, professional excellence, and community service.

He is happily married to Lady Dr. Legborsi Tony-Francis, a legal practitioner and law lecturer, and together they are blessed with three adorable children.