Funmi Ayeni is the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Partnership (PILP), Nigeria’s pioneering pro bono clearinghouse and a public–private partnership established by the Lagos State Government to advance access to justice through cross-sector collaboration. She has led the initiative since its inception in 2012, initially operating from the Lagos State Attorney General’s office before its incorporation as an independent non-profit organisation.

Under her leadership, PILP connects over 300 law firms, NGOs, and justice institutions to deliver free legal support for underserved communities and has implemented statewide initiatives with courts, prisons, and legal aid agencies.

She has led the development of PILP’s digital case management and coordination platform, transforming pro bono service delivery from fragmented manual processes into a structured, data-driven system that supports client intake, triage, lawyer matching, and case tracking at scale. Her work focuses on the design and deployment of technology-enabled systems that support coordination across government agencies, legal institutions, and civil society actors, improving efficiency, accountability, and access within justice ecosystems.

Funmi’s broader work sits at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy, with ongoing initiatives exploring the responsible use of AI-assisted tools to expand access to justice. She contributes to global pro bono development through her service on PILnet’s Global Board and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Gamayyar African Tech Workers Cooperative Society.

Prior to this role, she was an associate at Banwo & Ighodalo. She holds an LL.B. from the University of Warwick and an LL.M. (Public Law & Policy) from the University of California, Berkeley.