WWL Nigeria 2022

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Leading Firms

Notices

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on the information provided.

for any acts or omissions

herein. Although the information in this report is accurate

at September 2022, be advised this is a developing area.

concerning reproduction should be sent to Law Business Research, at the address shown. Enquiries concerning editorial content should be directed to the head of research & analytics, Rupert Wilson, at rupert.wilson@whoswholegal.com

LEADING FIRMS

The latest edition of WWL: Nigeria features more than 80 firms, from international powerhouses to full-service Nigeria outfits and specialised boutiques. However, over a third of the total listings are achieved by lawyers from just six standout national firms that we profile here.

MOST LISTINGS IN WWL: NIGERIA 2022

Arbitration

Banking

Capital Markets

Construction & Real Estate

Corporate Tax

Energy, Natural Resources & Mining

Regarded as one of Nigeria’s largest full-ser vice law firms with multiple offices across the country, Aluko & Oyebode continues to be an authority within the market. The firm impresses this year with an outstanding total of 32 listings across 13 practice areas, further cementing its position as a market leader.

The firm demonstrates its prominence in the energy, natural resources and mining sectors where it earns five listings in our

ALUKO & OYEBODE

Practice Area Breakdown

Total listings in WWL: Nigeria - 32

Intellectual Property

Labour & Employment

Litigation

M&A and Governance

Project Finance

Restructuring & Insolvency

corresponding chapter. The firm maintains a strong position in the litigation arena with four individuals listed for their top-tier work on complex disputes. The firm also performs well in a range of other corporate and trans actional areas, including banking and M&A, with four listings in each chapter.

Eminent practitioners at the firm include Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN, who tops our rankings in litigation thanks to his

first-class handling of complex disputes. Gbenga Oyebode receives endorsements as a top-notch practitioner who excels in the procurement of energy and natural resources. Olubunmi Fayokun and Oghogho Makinde are celebrated for their extensive experience advising multinational corpo rations on high-value transactions and acquisitions.

Banwo & Ighodalo is a top-tier Nigerian law firm with a dominant presence in the legal market. It is home to some of the most highly regarded practitioners, with 22 listings across eight different practice areas.

The firm sees five practitioners listed as leading individuals for their outstanding work advising domestic and international clients on a range of M&A and governance matters, including transactions and restructuring matters.

The firm performs particularly well in the banking sector with four individuals listed in the corresponding chapter. The team is equipped to advise clients on issues relating to financing or refinancing transactions, debt

and financial disputes.

Project finance is a further area of strength for the firm, with four practitioners listed for their outstanding work advising clients on high-value financing and infra structure projects.

Key figures at the firm include Ken Etim, a top-tier specialist who excels in high-value energy transactions. Ayotunde Owoigbe and Azeezah Muse-Sadiq stand out for their exceptional handling of M&A transactions, while Asue Ighodalo is highly recommended by peers for his practice in M&A, capital markets and project finance matters. Seyi Bella is a revered practitioner with vast expe rience advising domestic and international clients on corporate financing matters.

Arbitration

OLANIWUN AJAYI

Practice Area Breakdown

Total listings in WWL: Nigeria - 20

1 Litigation 1

Banking 4 M&A and Governance 5

Capital Markets 2 Project Finance 3

Energy, Natural Resources & Mining

The first-rate Olaniwun Ajayi distinguishes itself as a leading commercial firm in the Nigerian market with several offices across the country. The firm performs well with an impressive 20 listings spanning seven different practice areas in our research.

The firm establishes itself as a leader in corporate finance, receiving an impressive number of listings in our M&A and govern

ance, banking and project finance chap ters. In particular, five outstanding practi tioners from the firm are recognised for their commendable expertise in joint ventures and complex mergers.

Another area of strength for the firm is banking, where it sees four of its top-notch lawyers listed in our corresponding chapter thanks to their long-standing experience in restructurings, compliance and regulation.

UDO UDOMA & BELO-OSAGIE

Practice Area Breakdown

Total listings in WWL: Nigeria - 32

Standout names at the firm include Konyinsola Ajayi SAN who receives acco lades for his fantastic track-record assisting clients on complex banking disputes. On the corporate side, Wolemi Esan and Oluseye Opasanya are considered prominent figures in acquisitions and financing, while Tominiyi Owolabi maintains an outstanding reputa tion as a go-to name for the full spectrum of energy matters.

Arbitration

1 Intellectual Property 1

Banking 5 Labour & Employment

Markets

& Real Estate

Immigration

Tax

Natural Resources & Mining

Distinguished law firm Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie secures its place among Nigeria’s leading firms, with 32 outstanding practi tioners listed across 13 practice areas.

The firm particularly stands out in the banking market, with five of its top-notch practitioners listed for their superb handling of complex financing transactions and regu latory matters.

A further five practitioners are listed in our M&A and Governance chapter,

Litigation

M&A and Governance

Project Finance

Transport - Aviation

highlighted for their top-tier domestic and international transactional expertise.

The firm also has deep expertise in capital markets and labour and employment law, with four listings respectively for their stellar work on complex litigation and regu latory matters.

Standout names at the firm include Aniekan Ukpanah who comes highly recom mended for his superb advice on project financing and transactions. Yinka Edu is

lauded for her first-rate work on a range of financing and transactional matters. Lolade Orosami impresses peers and clients alike with her robust handling of domestic and international commercial transactions and regulatory matters, while Jumoke Lambo is celebrated for her outstanding corporate immigration and employment practice.

Jackson, Etti & Edu is an award winning, full-service law firm with a sector focus. Our legal teams stand at the nexus of innovation and opportunity unleashed by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA), and our experience, knowledge and exper tise can steer your organisation to success. Proudly Nigerian and resolutely pan-African, we are dedicated to serving the continued growth of private and public-sector economic development in the region.

With over 25 years valuable corporate experience, our lawyers have gained exten sive experience in advising and acting for clients on a wide range of subject matters. We operate across Africa with three (3) offices strategically located in Nigeria (Victoria

Island, Ikeja, and Abuja) and offices in Ghana, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe, with over 100 legal, paralegal and business support staff.

Our firm is recognised for professional legal services of the highest calibre. We draw on our unique knowledge of the African busi ness environment, and in-depth understanding of the economic and socio-political climate in advising clients on a wide range of legal issues.

LEADERSHIP

The Firm is a Partnership consisting of 10 Partners: Lookman Durosinmi-Etti

• Koye Edu

• Uwa Ohiku

• Chinyere Okorocha

Our Practice Areas Our Focused Sectors

• Banking & Finance

• Brand Protection

• Commercial Intellectual Property & Data

• Corporate Commercial & General Legal Advisory

• Corporate Merger & Acquisition

• Energy & Infrastructure

• Immigration Advisory & Compliance

• Intellectual Property

• Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Real Estate

• Regulatory & Compliance

SECTORS

Energy & Infrastructure

Our Energy & Infrastructure team is renowned for advising clients operating in these sectors and has a track record of assisting with the many and varied chal lenges they face.

FMCG

JEE recognises that the hallmark of successful retailers and consumer goods manufacturers is to be customer-driven. We strive to replicate this customer-focused approach by delivering bespoke legal services to our clients who operate in this fast-paced and exciting marketplace.

FINSERV

As long-standing advisers to pre-eminent financial sponsors, asset managers, invest ment banks, and financial advisers, JEE has the expertise, experience, and local knowl edge to help you navigate the complexities of doing business in Africa.

Victoria Island Office

RCO Court

3-5, Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

• Folasade Olusanya

• Asamah Kadiri (SAN)

• Obafemi Agaba

• Taiwo Adeshina

• Adekunle Soyibo

• Ngozi Aderibigbe

FIRM STRUCTURE

We think sector first, organising ourselves around the current affairs and future chal lenges of industries. We are experts in our chosen specialties, and we take the time to get to know our clients’ businesses, thus enabling us to advise on a complete range of business issues.

• Energy & Infrastructure

• Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

• Financial Services

• Health & Pharmaceuticals

• Public Sector

• Technology, Media & Entertainment (TME)

Health & Pharmaceuticals

JEE‘s multidisciplinary Health & Pharmaceuticals Sector team comprises lawyers who specialise in Litigation & Arbitration, Real Estate, Corporate, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Commercial, IT, Regulatory and Employment.

Public Sector

Our Public Sector team offers focused stra tegic and transactional advice, specifically tailored to your organisation’s requirements.

Technology, Media & Entertainment

We combine our legal expertise across applicable legal disciplines with our deep understanding of current and emerging commercial models and market dynamics to enable our clients to achieve their objectives.

BRAND VALUES

Legal Expertise

From client matters that span jurisdictions to cases that require strategies that break new

ground, JEE provides solutions to its clients’ most complex legal issues.

Client-Centricity

Central to our culture is the priority that we place on the individual needs of our clients, who in their most challenging moments value advice delivered with personality.

Operational Excellence

The legal team and support staff at JEE are united by shared values and processes, providing a consistent, high-quality service wherever and whenever you need us.

Sector Knowledge

Our lawyers offer sector-specific insights and knowledge of regulatory nuances to provide excellent legal services.

Innovation

We are consistently recognised for quality and innovation by our clients, independent legal guides, and leading industry awards

Abuja Office

No. 42 Moses Majekodunmi Crescent, Utako, FCT, Abuja. www.jee.africa jee@jee.africa +234 1 462 6841 +234 1 280 6989

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie is a full service, multi-disciplinary law firm that is focused on facilitating corporate and commer cial business throughout Nigeria, and across Africa. Founded in 1983, UUBO has evolved into a multi-disciplinary,15-partner concern with 137 professional employees, including more than 67 lawyers, with offices in Nigeria’s key commercial centres.

We enjoy an extensive network of long-term regional and international relationships with reputable African and interna tional law firms, and strategic affiliations with leading global organisations that contribute to our strong capacity to seam lessly deliver dynamic solutions and to coordinate multi-ju risdictional assignments across over 23 practice areas to the diverse local, African and international clients with whom we are privileged to work.

Our practice areas include aviation, compliance and investigations, media, entertainment and sports, real estate and construction, banking and finance, corporate advisory, mergers and acquisitions, tax, business establishment, corpo rate immigration, employment, oil and gas, telecommuni cations, media and technology, capital markets, intellectual property, power, infrastructure and projects, fintech, litigation, arbitrations and alternative dispute resolution, private equity, and corporate governance and company secretarial services through our subsidiary, Alsec Nominees Limited.

We are privileged to enjoy a reputation for our culture of excellence and long-term commitment to quality service delivery. Our philosophy from inception has been that legal advice should be of the highest possible standards, accessible, commercially oriented, and consistently sound on principle.

As a firm, we have developed a reputation for being trusted with innovative assignments, facilitating complex, unusual transactions, resolving a broad range of disputes, generating legal solutions within a relatively short space of time.

The diverse backgrounds, skills and insights of our lawyers’ and our collaborative, ‘hands-on’ approach to solving problems all contribute to the recurrently high independent peer and positive client reviews of our work. This has resulted in top tier rankings in leading global directories including Chambers Global Directory, Chambers FinTech Guide, the Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and the IFLR 1000, which

summarised research findings to report that UUBO is “… widely accepted as the corporate firm of choice in Nigeria and the go-to firm for a wide percentage of international outfits looking for local counsel in Nigeria.’’

Without exception, all of our partners have been recog nised by a variety of regional and international publications and organisations for the quality of their work and leader ship in the legal space, and the depth of our bench is demon strated by the independent recognition and awards accorded to several of our associates as ‘up and coming’ stars in their areas of specialisation.

We are particularly proud of the fact that for almost 40 years, our 15-partner firm has been and remains a meritoc racy with unparalleled gender parity across its partnership from inception and all levels of employment in Nigeria.

As a large and evolving firm, our internal structure is a key contributor to our continued success. In addition to our lawyers and other professionals, we have strong organisa tional structures and the support of a fully fleshed operations unit with experienced back-office talent including a robust technology and business enterprise team, all led by a chief operations officer. We attribute the readiness with which we sustain our business continuity and have been able to continue to facilitate our clients’ business in variable and even challenging circumstances – including the unprecedented global pandemic - to the drive and dedication of our dynamic support team.

The institutionalisation of the firm’s structure allows us to remain a top-ranked firm in the legal space while ensuring that we are able to execute and contribute to our many CSR and pro bono projects. We strongly believe in giving back and do so via a variety of initiatives and organisations such as the Lex Mundi Hurricane Disaster Relief Trust, various COVID-19 relief efforts, Child Lifeline (an association for the care and education of street children and young persons in need) among many others. We provide support on pro-bono and charitable basis to a variety of institutions including in the healthcare, micro, small and medium enterprises, arts and business space and other sectors.

ARBITRATION

In this chapter, we highlight 35 distinguished arbitrators who are recognised for their vast experience in domestic and cross-border commercial and investor-state arbitration.

Most Highly Regarded

Funke Adekoya SAN AÉLEX Lagos

Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN Aluko & Oyebode Lagos

Babatunde Ajibade SAN SPA Ajibade & Co Lagos

Funmi Roberts Funmi Roberts & Company Ibadan

At AÉLEX, Funke Adekoya SAN is lauded by peers as an “extremely knowledgeable and highly regarded” arbitrator in the Nigerian market.

Babatunde Ajibade SAN with SPA Ajibade & Co is a highly accomplished disputes specialist with vast experience in interna tional arbitration.

The “excellent” Funmi Roberts at Funmi Roberts & Company draws praise for her thorough approach and “passion for using ADR to provide client-focused solutions”.

Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN from Aluko & Oyebode receives wide acclaim for being “one of Nigeria’s ‘go to’ lawyers” and “an established figure in the international arbi tration community.”

Dorothy Ufot & Co’s Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN is highly regarded by peers for her arbitration practice advising domestic and international clients in the oil & gas sector.

Fidelis Oditah QC SAN from Fidelis Oditah & Co is a go-to name for commercial disputes and is noted for his “quick understanding of complex issues”.

Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour at Doyin RhodesVivour & Co is a distinguished practitioner in the Nigerian market with a stellar track-re cord acting as arbitrator in the energy, construction and shipping sectors.

The “stellar” Bayo Ojo SAN with Bayo Ojo & Co possesses more than 40 years of expe rience in resolving complex domestic and international arbitrations.

Babajide Ogundipe at Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore is a sterling arbitrator who is highly recommended for his “smooth procedural process of resolving a dispute”.

Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN wins plaudits for his extensive experience advising clients on a broad range of commercial and cross-border disputes.

With over 20 years’ experience, the “brilliant” Adewale Atake from Templars garners widespread praise for his top-tier practice which sees him regu larly handling high-value energy disputes.

Chartered Arbitrator’s Tinuade Oyekunle is a skilled arbitrator who excels in investor-state and commercial disputes.

Anthony Idigbe SAN from Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors is hailed by market sources in the arbitration sphere as “the

‘go-to’ guru for issues that involve insolven cy-related disputes”.

Uzoma Azikiwe from Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie is a sterling arbitration practitioner and comes highly recommended for his profound expertise in oil and gas disputes.

Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN at Strachan Partners is a key figure in the Nigerian market, renowned for his in-depth expertise in construction and maritime arbitrations.

Africa Law Practice’s Olasupo Shasore SAN earns widespread plaudits for his “detailed understanding of legal issues” and exceptional track record in energy, natural resources and mining-related disputes.

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri with Jackson, Etti & Edu with is highly esteemed for his commercial arbitration practice which sees him represent domestic and international clients in complex transactional disputes.

From Olaniwun Ajayi, Konyinsola Ajayi SAN holds over 40 years’ experience advising Nigerian and international clients on a broad range of commercial disputes.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire is a partner in the litigation and ADR department of Aluko & Oyebode. Adeniyi obtained a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB, honours) from the University of Ife, Ile Ife in 1987. Adeniyi is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

In 2015, Adeniyi was elevated to the prestig ious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Nigerian equivalent of a UK Queen’s Counsel.

Adeniyi heads the firm’s insolvency, business recovery and debt recovery practice and advises on all aspects of insolvency law. He has acted as both receiver/manager and counsel to creditors in receivership, winding up and bankruptcy proceed ings.Adeniyi has a very pragmatic approach to dispute resolution and strategy and has deployed this approach and his wealth of experience in providing legal advice to local and multinational companies involved in insolvency litigation.

Adeniyi was appointed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to act as the receiver/manager of Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian airline. As receiver/ manager, Adeniyi has successfully managed the operations of the company, with the support of a professional management and technical team. The firm has also been retained as counsel to AMCON in proceedings instituted to prevent any unlawful interference with the receivership.

Adeniyi also successfully represented AMCON in its efforts to recover a debt of approximately 4.3 billion naira from Shoreline Power Company Limited, two of its affiliated companies and two of its directors.

Funke Adekoya SAN AÉLEX

Funke Adekoya heads the arbitration practice group at AELEX. AELEX is a full-service law firm with offices in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja in Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana.

With 45 years’ experience in commercial dispute resolution, she is frequently appointed to arbitral tribunals, either as sole or party-ap pointed arbitrator conducting proceedings under the rules of the ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL and LMAA. Arbitrations in which she has been involved range from disputes arising from gas sales agreements, oil rig supply contracts to joint ventures in construc tion and real estate.

Her recent appointments have been in disputes brought under the ambit of either a BIT or an invest ment agreement. She was most recently appointed by the State party as arbitrator in an investment dispute between the purchasers of a monopoly electricity producer and the State in one case and in another case, the dispute was between an investor alleging breach of a mining contract by a State and the subse quent cancellation of the investor’s mining licence.

She also advises clients on award enforcement issues within Nigeria and leads the counsel team in arbitration-related litigation.

Funke is a fellow and has achieved chartered arbitrator status at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London and has served as the chair of its Nigerian branch. She was a founding board member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and a former member and a past vice president of the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

Funke is listed on various panels, including the ICSID chairman’s panel of arbitrators; those of CIETAC, the Kigali International Arbitration Centre, the Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and the panel of neutrals of both the Lagos Multi-Door Court House and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

She has been invited to conduct arbitra tion training courses in Accra, Ghana and Kigali, Rwanda and is a regular speaker on arbitration law and practice both within and outside Nigeria.

She holds both Nigerian and British nationality and in addition to her being called to the Nigerian bar, she is qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales. She also holds an LLM from the Harvard Law School (1977) and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2001.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive

Ikoyi Lagos, 101233

Tel: +234 803 402 0536

adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Adeniyi Adegbonmire is a clear leader in the arbitration field report peers, particularly when it comes to disputes within the finance sector.

Her other memberships include the London Court of International Arbitration African Users Council and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration where she sits on the board of Trustees. She is also a member and past vice president of the governing board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, in addition to being a member of the African Users Council of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. She is a member of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa’s International Arbitration Rules Drafting Committee’s Advisory Board and the International Appointments Committee of the Scottish Arbitration Centre.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7321 oadekoya@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Funke Adekoya SAN is lauded by peers as an “extremely knowledgeable and highly regarded” arbitrator in the Nigerian market.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb Aluko & Oyebode

Olisa Agbakoba SAN

Olisa Agbakoba Legal

Dr. Agbakoba is the Senior Partner and Head of the Arbitration and ADR practice group in Olisa Agbakoba Legal. He is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

Dr. Agbakoba is one of Nigeria’s leading experts in Arbitration and has presided over several complex arbitration.

He is the brain behind the first Law Firm Annexed Arbitration/ Mediation Centre in Lagos (Nigeria), the Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) Arbitration & Mediation Centre. He has showcased his brilliance as a Counsel and an Arbitrator in major National and Cross border disputes relating to Aviation (Airport Terminal Concessions) Vessel Charter, Maritime Collision, Oil wells and Rigs, Telecommunications, Housing Development and Construction respectively.

He has championed legal reforms in arbitration in Nigeria including the establishment of industry specific arbitration centres in maritime, construc tion, energy, telecommunications and entertain ment sectors. He also played a major role in the establishment of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and reforms of the Lagos State Arbitration Rules. He designed the ADR Mechanism and Rules for the Asset Management and Recovery for Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In recognition of his contribution to the growth of Arbitration in Nigeria, Dr Agbakoba was appointed as the Chair of the National Arbitration Policy Committee set of by the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2020 to advise the government on strategic policies to enhance Nigeria’s arbitration landscape.Dr. Agbakoba was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (2006-2008) and in 1987 founded the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) of which he was the president from 1987 to 1995. He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Instituteof Chartered Arbitrators and the Vice President of the Institute.He is also theLegal Adviser to the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) and a life member of the Body of

Benchers. He is a member of the African Arbitration Association (AfAA) and also a member of its Advocacy Committee working to increase the visi bility of African Arbitrators. He is a member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and listed as an Arbitrator at the Lagos Court of Arbitration. He is at present working with the Nigerian Economic Summit group for the crea tion of a Center for Sport Arbitration in Nigeria.Dr. Agbakoba is an expert and pioneer in the field of Space Law and Regulation in Nigeria. He has a long history of working with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the National Assembly, poli cymakers, and, in particular, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to help strengthen the legal, institutional, and regu latory framework that governs Space activities in Nigeria

As a space lawyer, Dr. Agbakoba has devel oped a legal framework for space administration in light of growing private sector interest in space and to attract investment. His work has had a significant impact on the way Nigeria treats space activities and regulations and has worked together with NASRDA in the enactment of Regulation on Licensing and Supervision of Space Activities, 2015 (Vol.108, No.106, of 28th September 2021. This includes reviewing and analyzing the current space policy

Adewale Atake Templars

Adewale Atake, SAN is a Partner and the Head of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group at TEMPLARS, a top-tier, full-service law firm in Nigeria. He has over 30 years of active experience as a Nigerian advocate and was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2018. Adewale has directly led some of the largest and groundbreaking commercial arbi trations in Nigeria as well as litigation at all levels of the Nigerian court system. He has carved a niche as one of the handful of Nigerian lawyers in bet-the-company commercial disputes in several industry sectors, including oil and gas, taxation, construction, maritime, environmental damage, professional services, and corporate governance. Adewale’s diverse client base cuts across multina tional and domestic corporations, banks, and high net worth individuals.

Some of the notable matters handled by Adewale includes representing two international energy companies in the Erha arbitration where he obtained an award in excess of US$2 billion. He is also the lead advocate in a US$900 million dispute in the Nigerian courts arising out of a contract for the charter of flotel services for the Egina FPSO and is currently advising an international energy company in relation to a potential bilateral invest ment treaty claim against a country arising from its activities in the country’s oil and gas sector.

Maritime Complex 34 Creek Road, Apapa Lagos Tel: +234 1 7750985 olisa@oal.law www.oal.law

WWL says: Olisa Agbakoba SAN earns widespread recommendations for his outstanding work handling complex arbitrations in the maritime and energy sectors.

Adewale is highly regarded by clients and peers as an attorney that achieve results. Notably described as “spectacular in the mastery of the law and legal advice” by Legal 500, he has consistently been recognised as a leading lawyer in a number of legal directories such as: Who’s Who Legal of Dispute Resolution Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal of Oil and Gas Lawyers, Chambers Global Guide to the Legal Profession, Legal 500 Clients Guide to the World’s Leading Law Firms and Lawyers and IFLR1000 Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms and Lawyers where it has been noted that he is “recognised by peers for his significant international arbitrational output”; “well known for his maritime practice”; and “always thinking ahead and giving a lot of advice on how to find alternative approaches”.

Adewale Atake (con.)

Owing to his significant wealth of experience, Adewale is a leading voice and frequently speaks at conferences, workshops, and professional training sessions on various aspects of dispute resolution. He was recently a speaker at a seminar organised for selected international oil companies and other petroleum sharing contractors where he discussed “Production Sharing Contracts Arbitration with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and Enforcement of Awards: Typical “Déjà Vus” and at the Oil Producers Trade Section Tax Workshop where he discussed “Tax Appeal Tribunal and Alternative Dispute Resolution”. He has also discussed “Resolving Complex Energy Disputes; is Mediation an Option?” at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators U.K (Nigeria Branch) Annual Conference and “Mandatory Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements under the New York Conventions: What is the Practice in Nigeria?” at the Lagos Court of Arbitration Conference on International Arbitration in Nigeria.

Adewale has also published many articles and client alerts on arbitration and litigation in Nigeria, including on the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Nigerian courts against state-owned entities, and foreign jurisdic tion clauses in Nigerian law contracts, to mention a few. He is a contributing author of the Nigeria chapter in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of the Investment Treaty Arbitration Know-How published by the Global Arbitration Review.

Adewale is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, Nigerian Maritime Arbitrators Association, London Court of International Arbitration, and the International Bar Association.

Uzoma Azikiwe

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is a partner and the head of UUBO’s Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Uzoma was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England on 14th December 2020.

With over 34 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, arbitrator, mediator and conciliator, Uzoma provides advice in maritime, aviation, employment and energy matters. His specialisa tions include advising multinationals on oil, gas and environmental matters, the provision, manning and maintenance of vessels, cabotage issues, tele communications, construction, administrative and constitutional law.

He trained as an International Commercial Arbitrator with several Nigerian and interna tional arbitration organisations including the ICC Institute of World Business Law, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigeria), and Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliation. He obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration at St Anne’s College, Oxford, United Kingdom and has benefitted from PIDA training in International Commercial Arbitration, PIDA training in International Commercial Contracts and training by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He has published articles on commercial law including “The Doctrine of Undisclosed Agency Revisited”, environmental law and arbitration. He presents papers at and conducts seminars for various major service companies in the oil industry in Nigeria on employment and labour matters.

To the extent that can be disclosed, the following are some of the matters that Uzoma has recently worked on:

He led the team and defended Statoil in a USD 230 million Supreme Court claim, where the Supreme Court, in allowing the appeal, dismissed the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He advises General Electric in a USD 19 million Federal High Court case, which has thrown up several interesting legal issues and has given rise to one Supreme Court decision and four Court of Appeal judgments which have enriched Nigerian jurisprudence.

He was an arbitrator in a dispute between Habila Resources Limited and Daewoo Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract for the dredging of Cawthorne Channels 2 & 3 Flow Stations, Awoba Flow Station and Krakrama Flow Station

5th floor, The Octagon 13A AJ Marinho Drive Victoria Island Lagos, 234 Tel: 234 1 279 9398 wale.atake@templars-law.com www.templars-law.com

WWL says: With over 20 years’ experience, the “brilliant” Adewale Atake garners wide spread praise for his top-tier practice which sees him regularly handling high-value energy disputes.

Uzoma makes presentations, presents depo sitions and gives evidence as a legal expert on Nigerian law before various foreign courts. Most recently, he appeared in this capacity before the High Court of Justice in England (in the 2009 case of Dornoch Limited & Others v Westminster International BV & Others) and presented a depo sition on Nigerian law in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, USA in the case of Harry A. Akande –v- TransAmerica Airlines Inc & Others. Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is the Lead Counsel in providing legal advisory services to and representa tion of British Airways in Nigeria.

He recently defended (successfully) a foremost Accounting, Auditing, Consulting and a Financial Services firm in an ad- hoc arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act

He recently represented a German multina tional oil and gas drilling company in an arbitration under the ICC Rules Case No. 22243/TO in respect of a claim against a Nigerian oil and gas company for the recovery of unpaid invoices of over US$20 Million in connection with a drilling contract;

He recently advised an international telecom munications giant on sundry Nigerian law issues that arose in several enforcements and set aside litigation in various Nigerian courts in relation to an UNCITRAL arbitral award;.

He advised a Swiss oil and gas trading company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with a Lagos seated ad- hoc arbitration proceedings in relation to a jetty utilisation agreement.

Miannaya Aja Essien SAN Principles Law Partnership

Miannaya Aja Essien, SAN, FCIArb, Chartered Arbitrator and notary public, is the managing partner and one of the founders of Principles Law Partnership, a firm of legal practitioners, arbi trators and notaries public with offices in Port Harcourt and Lagos, Nigeria.

She is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Lagos, Lagos Nigeria and obtained her LLB (hons) and LLM respectively in 1984 and 1991. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in August 1985. As counsel she leads complex corporate and commercial dispute resolution matters in Nigeria and internationally across the oil and gas, finance and insurance sectors. She also acts as sole arbitrator, panel member or as chairman of various arbitral panels. She also provides expert evidence on Nigerian Law.

Miannaya was made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2007. She is a chartered arbitrator and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). She is a past chairperson of the Port Harcourt chapter, a branch committee member of the Nigerian Branch and an approved tutor of the institute. She is a member and past chairperson of the Section on Legal Practice of the Nigerian Bar Association. She is a member of several other associations including the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch), the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, LCIA (African Users’ Council), ICCA and the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She is included on the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ panel of arbitrators and is a member of the board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She is a member of Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association.

She lectures at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, where she is a member of the adjunct faculty. She has contributed several scholarly articles to legal publications and is a regular resource person at seminars, workshops and conferences.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 2774920 / 271981 / 2719812 / +234 1 2774921 uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Uzoma Azikiwe SAN stands out as a top-notch arbitrator, highly recom mended for his profound expertise in oil and gas disputes.

Alternate Office: Plot 1A, Olori Muyibat Oyefusi Street, Off Omorinre Johnson Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Tel: +234 1 290 6708

7A Bishop Dimieri Street GRA Phase 2

Port Harcourt

Tel: +234 84 302576 / +234 1 2906708

miaessien@principleslaw.com www.principleslaw.com

WWL says: Miannaya Aja Essien impresses market sources with her first-rate arbitration practice and is hailed for her “solution-driven approach” to complex corporate and commer cial disputes.

Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN Aluko & Oyebode

Babatunde Fagbohunlu is a partner and the head of the litigation, arbitration, and ADR practice group in Aluko & Oyebode. In December 2008, Tunde was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (the Nigerian equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

Tunde regularly represents Nigerian as well as foreign and multinational clients in ad hoc arbi trations and arbitrations administered by arbitral institutions. He has also acted as an arbitrator at several ad-hoc arbitral tribunals as well as arbitra tions administered by the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the London Court of International Arbitration (African Users Council), the International Arbitration Institute (IAI) in Paris and has served on the LCIA Court. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and former chairman of the board of directors of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).

His publications on arbitration include: Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions (Sweet & Maxwell, 2016; co-authored with John Miles and Kamal Shah); “A Case for a Different Analytical Approach to the Enforcement of International Arbitration Agreements: The MV Lupex in Perspective” (Appellate Review, volume 1, page 81, 2009) and “The Principle of Limited Court Intervention Survives in Nigeria … But How Far Will the Courts Go?” (Kluwer Arbitration Blog, 2 August 2013, http://kluwerarbitrationblog.com/ blog/author/tundefagbohunlu/).

Anthony Idigbe SAN Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors

Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe is the Senior Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is also involved with consultancy, business and human capital development through its Canadian affiliate, PUNUKA Consulting Inc.

He has 39 years of experience in insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute reso lution, privatization, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, etc., and has advised clients on several complex transactions. He was licensed to practice law in Nigeria in 1983, appointed Notary Public in 1989 and elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000. He was licensed to prac tice law in Ontario, Canada, in June 2016. He holds a doctoral degree in cross-border insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His dissertation was on the role of INSOL International in global norm making with the 1997 UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency as the case study.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a fellow of INSOL International; the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London; the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and the International Bar Association (IBA). In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN); London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria (ICCN); Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD) and International Insolvency Institute (III).

several dispute resolution matters, and advised on vast areas of laws including labour issues amongst others. He advises the Regulator, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on various issues and assisted in defining the regulatory framework for the aviation sector. He also represents FAAN in several cases instituted against them in Court.

On Marine transport, Anthony has conducted arbitration on charter party agreements and advised the National Maritime Authority (NMA), the predecessor of NIMASA.

For a full view of his profile, check https://www. anthonyidigbe.com/

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0537 tunde.fagbohunlu@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN receives wide acclaim for being “one of Nigeria’s ‘go to’ lawyers” and “an estab lished figure in the international arbitration community.”

Anthony has been involved in several Aviation matters and has advised Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Ministry of Aviation as well as BPE on aviation issues including priva tisation issues and disputes arising from setting up of national airline. He was Counsel to Sosoliso Airline in respect of the actions instituted against the company in relation to plane crash involving a Sosoliso aircraft. Anthony is also the retained solic itor of Allied Air, has represented the company on

Plot 45 Oyibo Adjarho Street

Off Ayinde Akinmade Street Lagos, 106104 Tel: +234 1 270 4789

a.idigbe@punuka.com www.punuka.com

WWL says: Anthony Idigbe SAN is hailed by market sources in the arbitration sphere as “the ‘go-to’ guru for issues that involve insolvency-related disputes”.

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri (SAN) Jackson, Etti & Edu

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri is a Partner at JACKSON, ETTI & EDU, a leading pan-African full-service commercial law firm and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Nigerian equivalent of the British Queen’s Counsel (QC). He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; an LLM in International Business Law from Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; an advanced Practice Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (DipICArb) from Kebble College, Oxford, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), United Kingdom; Fellow of the Business Rescue and Insolvency Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), an affiliate of Insol International; an Accredited Mediator of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR); and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.

Asamah is a consummate commercial Lawyer and Arbitrator with extensive experience in diverse aspects of domestic and cross-border commercial disputes and commercial transac tions. His dispute resolution expertise cuts across Litigation, Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation and Negotiation, spanning several sectors. He is also a subject matter expert in Labour and Employment; Company Boardroom and Shareholders’ Disputes; Energy, Oil & Gas, Mineral Resources, and Mining; Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement and Licensing Disputes; Insolvency and Corporate Rescue; Corporate Restructuring; Real Estate Property Disputes; International Trade; etcetera.

He has acted as lead Counsel in several Arbitration proceedings and has sat over several disputes as a Sole Arbitrator or Co-Arbitrator. He is a pioneer member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi-Door Court House, the ADR Centre of the Lagos High Court; a member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC); and a member of African Arbitration Association, amongst others. He is a pioneer member of the Panel of Neutrals appointed by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to preside over and resolve telecommunications disputes at the inception of the deregulation and liberalization of the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry in year 2001.

Asamah has vast experience and skills in the Energy, Mining and Mineral sector. He has been actively involved in the processing and acquisition of mining permits and regulatory approvals for clients. He has over the years acted as lead Counsel coordinating legal portfolios of several leading multinational oil & gas service and exploration corporations; power production, distribution, and sale companies; mining and mineral development license holders; amongst others. His experience in the Energy Sector spans across commercial transactions, corporate restructuring, insolvency, dispute resolution, host-community engagement, regulatory and compliance, legal audit, and general legal advisory, in respect of deals and disputes cumulatively worth billions of dollars. He is a member of several professional organisations and actively participates in Sector initiatives.

Asamah has been ranked by Chambers & Partners Global Legal Review as a leading Commercial Dispute Resolution Lawyer in Nigeria, consecutively in the years 2011 to 2022. He has also been ranked by Legal 500 as a “leading Commercial Litigation Lawyer”; and ranked by CorporateINTL as a “leading Insolvency Lawyer” in Nigeria. To cap it up, he was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest rank of legal practice in Nigeria in the year 2020. He is a member of several leading international arbitration institutions.

Babajide Ogundipe obtained his LLB from the University of London in 1978 and was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1979. After nine years at Chief Rotimi Williams’ Chambers, he co-founded Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore in 1989. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators since 1994, he held various positions in the Nigerian branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators between 1997 and 2009, serving as chairman from 2006 to 2009. He is currently on the board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, having served as its president from 2010 to 2014.

Asset recovery is a major part of his work as a litigator, and he has represented numerous clients seeking to recover assets lost due to fraud and other misfeasance. With this experience, he is recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading lawyers in the field.

As arbitrator, he has been appointed in cases involving oil and gas-related engineering and explo ration issues, the provision of marine and aviation services, insurance, road and building construc tion, airline agency commissions, sports sponsor ships, defence contracts and electricity generation, conducted under the UNCITRAL based rules of Nigeria’s Arbitration and Conciliation Act, ICC Arbitration Rules, UNCITRAL rules in LCIA admin istered arbitrations and the rules of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.

A frequent speaker at conferences on arbi tration, anti-corruption and asset recovery issues and the regulation of the legal profession, he is ICC FraudNet’s Nigeria representative. He is an active member of the International Bar Association and served for several years as an officer of the anti-corruption and regulation of lawyers’ compli ance committees.

3-5 Sinari Daranijo Street Victoria Island Lagos, 101241 Tel: +234 1 462 6843 asamah.kadiri@jee.africa www.jee.africa

WWL says: Asamah Kadiri is highly esteemed for his commercial arbitration practice which sees him represent domestic and international clients in complex transactional disputes.

7th Floor, St Nicholas House

Catholic Mission Street, PO Box 80367

Lagos, 101231

Tel: +234 1 462 2502

boogundipe@sooblaw.com www.sooblaw.com

WWL says: Babajide Ogundipe is a first-rate arbitrator who is highly recommended for his “smooth procedural process of resolving a dispute”.

Babajide O Ogundipe

Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore

Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour

Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co

Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. She was educated at the University of Lagos (LLB Hons), University of Lagos (LLM) and King’s College London, University of London (MA, International Peace and Security) with merit. She is a fellow /Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a mediator accredited by the CEDR (UK). She is a member of the World Bank Group Sanctions Board and is currently serving her second term as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration She is a member of the ICC Arbitration and Africa Commissions. She is a Vice President of the LCIA African Users Council.

Adedoyin has very significant experience sitting as sole arbitrator,co-arbitrator and presiding arbi trator in both institutional and adhoc proceedings spanning various areas including energy / natural resources, construction, Corporate /Commercial and maritime /shipping. She is ranked in various publications including Expert Guides and Who’s Who [Arbitration]and has received various recog nitions including in Africa’s Powerlist of the year 2020 and Distinguished Arbitrator of the Year 2020 by Arbitrator Intelligence.

She is on the database and or listed in on various international arbitration panels including the London Court of International Arbitration, International Centre for Dispute Resolution [ICDR] Singapore International Arbitration Centre [SIAC] Shenzhen International Arbitration Centre Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration RCICAL], Dubai International Arbitration Centre[ DIAC], Asian International Arbitration Centre [AIAC] and the Kigali International Arbitration Centre [KIAC]. She has written and presented several papers on Arbitration/ADR and is the author of the book “Commercial Arbitration Law and Practice in Nigeria through the cases” published by LexisNexis.

9 Simeon Akinlonu Crescent

Oniru Private Estate Lagos Tel: +234 1 4544373 doyin@drvlawplace.com www.drvlawplace.com

WWL says: Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour is a distinguished practitioner in the Nigerian market with a stellar track-record acting as arbitrator in the energy, construction and shipping sectors.

Olasupo Shasore SAN Africa Law Practice

Olasupo Shasore, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and founding partner at ALP NG & Co with over three decades of experience in legal prac tice. He is frequently instructed as lead counsel in diverse commercial and public sector disputes. Acted for sovereign, sub-national and private international parties in international commercial & investment arbitration and litigation. He has significant experience in investor- state arbitration, and other investment related disputes; frequently appointed arbitrator expert on Nigerian Law; ship ping & maritime law, and advises on risk in mining and natural resources.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, He was the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State (2017 -2011), past Chairman, Arbitration and ADR Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law, former pioneer vice president of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria and Former President of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. He was admitted as an arbitrator Energy Disputes Arbitration Centre in Turkey and as a Pioneer member of The Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is a member of the London Court of International Arbitration Africa User Group.

Shasore’s practice areas include Litigation & Arbitration Maritime & Shipping Law, Energy, Natural Resources & Infrastructure, Commercial Law.

He is also an author: Commercial ArbitrationArbitration Law and International Practice in Nigeria (2011); Lexis Nexis (Johnson & Shasore); Jurisdiction and Sovereign Immunity in Nigerian Commercial Law (NIIA 2007); Ministering Justice: Administration of Law & Justice in Nigeria (Quramo 2018 Shasore & Bello) (2019).

Ms. Ufot is the founding partner of the leading Nigerian firm Dorothy Ufot & Co. (established in 1994) where she heads the international arbitration and litigation departments of the firm.

Dorothy specialises in international arbitration, litigation and other forms of dispute resolution, including investment treaty arbitration, enforce ment of foreign arbitral awards, investment consulting, corporate and commercial law.

In 2009, Dorothy was elevated to the pres tigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) (equivalent to Queen’s Counsel), in recognition of her vast work in commercial litigation.

Dorothy is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (CIArb) and a chartered arbitrator. She is a former member of the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Paris (2006-2018), and a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Casablanca International Mediation and Arbitration Centre Morocco, since 2016.

Dorothy was designated to serve a six-year term on the panel of arbitrators of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in February 2017.

She is a former global vice president of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, and currently a member of the council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law and Chair of the arbitration and ADR commission of ICC Nigeria as well as the treasurer of ICC’s Nigeria committee.

Dorothy is on the panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association (AAA)/ International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), ICSID, KCAB International, CIArb, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (Now AIAC), the Beijing Arbitration Commission/ Beijing

15 Military Street Onikan Lagos

Tel: +234 1 700 2570 - 9 oshasore@alp.company www.alp.company

WWL says: The “brilliant” Olasupo Shasore is widely endorsed by market commentators for his “detailed understanding of the legal issues” in commercial and investor-state arbitrations.

Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN Dorothy Ufot & Co

International Arbitration Center (BAC/BIAC), the Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and the Energy Arbitrators’ List.

A former vice chair of the arbitration committee of the International Bar Association (IBA), Dorothy served as a council member of the IBA’s legal practice division (2006–2010) and a member of its nominations committee for two terms (2012–2016). She is a member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), ArbitralWomen, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, the International Bar Association (IBA), the London Oil & Gas Arbitration Club and several other profes sional associations.

Dorothy has acted as an arbitrator in several complex, high-volume arbitrations in oil and gas, international construction projects, international supply contracts, infrastructure development, tele communications and financial services. She has been appointed as an arbitrator by major multi national oil corporations, the ICC International Court of Arbitration, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, RCICAL, the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, DIAC, state governments, federal government agencies and large and medium-sized public and private companies in arbitrations taking place in Africa, Europe and the UAE.

Dorothy was a co-arbitrator in a US$3.2 billion oil dispute in respect of some strategic alliance agreements involving the Nigerian state oil entity. Ongoing cases include those of the LCIA in respect of a Shareholders Agreement between an insurance company and the minority shareholders, dispute between an engineering and building maintenance company and a construction company in respect of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract, as well as ongoing litigation in Nigerian trial and appellate courts in respect of the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, including ongoing high profile litigation cases for several Nigerian banks.

She has served as a member of the governing council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and chair of its rules and adjudication committee; and as non-executive director of several companies, including Chevron Oil Nigeria PLC and MRS Oil Nigeria PLC.

Dorothy currently sits on the board of SO&U Limited (one of Nigeria’s premier advertising and media relations companies), Dangote Cement Nigeria PLC (Africa’s largest cement producer), Dangote Cement Ethiopia, the Nigerian Prize for Leadership, the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, and the Nigerian Bar Association General Purpose Committee.

A member of the advisory board of the Journal of International Arbitration, Dorothy is a regular speaker on oil and gas, international arbitra tion, and dispute resolution generally, appearing at several international and local conferences –particularly those organised by the IBA and the Nigerian Bar Association.

She is listed in the ‘New List – Arbitrators of African Descent’. It is noteworthy that Dorothy won the prestigious award of African Arbitrator of the Year 2020, organised by the East Africa International Arbitration Conference in Nairobi, Kenya on 28th August, 2020.

Dorothy is recommended as a leading expert in WWL: Commercial Arbitration (2009 to 2020). She is fluent in English.

DIRECTORY

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Adegbonmire

Chartered Arbitrator

oadegbonmire@ciarbnigeria.org

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb* Aluko & Oyebode adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com Funke Adekoya SAN* AÉLEX oadekoya@aelex.com Olisa Agbakoba SAN* Olisa Agbakoba Legal olisa@oal.law

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net

Babatunde Ajibade SAN SPA Ajibade & Co bajibade@spaajibade.com Fabian Ajogwu, SAN Kenna Partners counsel@kennapartners.com Demola Akinrele SAN F O Akinrele & Co demola-akinrele@foakinrele.com Olawale Adeola Akoni SAN Babalakin & Co wakoni@babalakinandco.com Adewale Atake* Templars wale.atake@templars-law.com Uzoma Azikiwe*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org

Bolanle Olawale Babalakin SAN Babalakin & Co bob@babalakinandco.com

Mohammed Dele Belgore SAN Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore mdbelgore@sooblaw.com

Olatunde Busari SAN Akinwunmi & Busari tunde@akinwunmibusari.com

2nd Floor, Okoi Arikpo House 5 Idowu Taylor Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 463 1723 / 234 1 271 6348 dorothy.ufot@dorothyufotandco.com www.dorothyufotandco.com

WWL says: Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN is well renowned in the market for her dispute resolution practice and is regularly sought after by domestic and international clients in the oil and gas sector.

Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN Strachan Partners cacj@strachanpartners.com Emmanuel Dike Jasmine Advocates emmadike@jasmineadvocates.com

Miannaya Aja Essien SAN* Principles Law Partnership miaessien@principleslaw.com Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN* Aluko & Oyebode tunde.fagbohunlu@aluko-oyebode.com

Joe-Kyari Gadzama OFR SAN J-K Gadzama LLP gadzama@j-kgadzamallp.com

Anthony Idigbe SAN*

Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors a.idigbe@punuka.com

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri (SAN)* Jackson, Etti & Edu asamah.kadiri@jee.africa

Kolawole Mayomi, FCIArb SPA Ajibade & Co kmayomi@spaajibade.com

Fidelis Oditah KC SAN Fidelis Oditah & Co fidelisoditah@oditah.com

Babajide O Ogundipe* Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore boogundipe@sooblaw.com

Priscilla Ogwemoh Olisa Agbakoba Legal priscilla@oal.law

Bayo Ojo SAN Bayo Ojo & Co info@bayoojoandco.org

TJ Onomigbo Okpoko SAN OON Thompson Okpoko & Partners lag@thompsonokpoko.com

Theo Chike Osanakpo SAN Dr T C Osanakpo & Co osanakpochike@yahoo.com

Tinuade Oyekunle Chartered Arbitrator toyekunle@ciarbnigeria.org

Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour* Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co doyin@drvlawplace.com

Funmi Roberts Funmi Roberts & Company funmi@funmirobertsandco.com

Olasupo Shasore SAN* Africa Law Practice oshasore@alp.company

Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN* Dorothy Ufot & Co dorothy.ufot@dorothyufotandco.com Emmanuel C Ukala SAN E C Ukala & Company lawyerukala@yahoo.com

Etigwe Uwa SAN Streamsowers & Köhn etigwe@sskohn.com

BANKING

Here we recognise 25 leading practitioners for their top-tier work advising multinational banks and financial institutions on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters.

Most Highly Regarded

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co Lagos

Reginald Udom Aluko & Oyebode Lagos

Aluko & Oyebode performs well with four practitioners highlighted

Peers single out Reginald Udom as a “highly regarded lawyer” in Nigeria’s banking market, and is well-versed in the full range of banking and finance issues clients face in the jurisdiction.

Kofo Dosekun is an acclaimed banking practitioner whom peers recommend as “a well-known and reputable lawyer in the banking and finance space”.

Gbenga Oyebode is an accomplished practitioner with a well-developed financial practice, praised by market commentators as a “senior statesman” in the field.

Oghogho Makinde is heralded by peers as “a senior lawyer” in the market who is highly esteemed for her first-rate advisory work on financial matters.

Banwo & Ighodalo impresses with four listings

Seyi Bella at Banwo & Ighodalo is a market-leading banking lawyer, whom market commentators are “most impressed by her depth of knowledge, work ethic, and keenness to provide a solution to complex cases”.

Isa Alade enjoys extensive praise from market commentators for his practice, which spans banking, syndicated loan and financing matters.

Ayotunde Owoigbe sits among the foremost banking lawyers thanks to her impressive track-record advising on the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory matters.

Femi Olubanwo is identified by sources as an excellent banking lawyer in the Nigerian market, with extensive experience in a range of banking and loan syndication issues.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie sees five leading individuals listed.

Adeola Sunmola is praised as “a very analytical practitioner” who “always goes above and beyond” in her financial advice to clients in the real estate and construction industries.

Yinka Edu is highly regarded in the Nigerian market for her skilful handling of a diverse range of financial transactions.

Dan Agbor is a long-standing fixture in the market, highly regarded for his expertise in banking issues including debt restruc turing and fund establishment.

Nicholas Okafor draws praise from clients for his encyclopaedic knowledge of banking law and top-notch guidance on project financing matters.

Aniekan Ukpanah receives extensive acclaim for his practice, which focuses on advising high-profile, multinationals and governments on a wide range of finance and

banking issues.

Gbolahan Elias SAN of G Elias & Co comes highly recommended by peers across the region for his banking expertise and brings significant experience of representing domestic banks on a range of issues to his clients’ matters.

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN at Olaniwun Ajayi LP stands out as a long-standing fixture in the market thanks to his more than three decades of experience in the Nigerian banking sector.

Wolemi Esan is renowned for his stellar advi sory work on commercial transactions and power and asset financing.

Chike Obianwu from Templars is a well-es tablished practitioner, winning praise for his in-depth understanding of equity and debt capital.

Lawrence Fubara Anga with AÉLEX is a leading name in Nigeria for banking matters report sources, with special expertise advising banks on syndication issues in the market.

Kofo Dosekun Aluko & Oyebode Lagos

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.

He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establishment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transactions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.

Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guar antees. He serves on the boards of various compa nies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

Isa Alade

Banwo & Ighodalo

Isa Alade is a partner at Banwo & Ighodalo with over fifteen (15) years of experience in providing legal advice to corporate organisations and private equity firms. He is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, the International Law Institute – Washington (ILI) and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. His core areas of practice are Banking and Finance, Private Equity, Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Markets and FinTech.

His recent transactions include advising a syndicate of lenders (comprised of United Bank for Africa Plc, First City Monument Bank Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Limited, Zenith Bank Limited and Sterling Bank Plc) on the refi nancing and restructuring of separate facilities comprising US$95,000,000 (Ninety-five Million Dollars), US$278,000,000 (Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Dollars) and US$195,000,000 (One Hundred and Ninety-five Million Dollars) respectively advanced to three (3) different power generation/distribution companies; advising on the N200,000,000,000 (Two Hundred Billion Naira) facility advanced by the Central Bank of Nigeria to Family Homes Funds Limited in connection with the National Social Housing Programme; advising on the financing of the US$2,000,000,000 (Two Billion Dollars) international railway line to be constructed from Kano State (Nigeria) to Maradi (Niger Republic) awarded by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Mota-Engil Engenharia E Construção Africa, S.A; advising Ropeways Transport Limited on the financing of a US$275,000,000 aerial cable car project for public transportation in Lagos State, Nigeria; and the financing of the US$1,300,000,000 Ibom Deep Seaport to be located in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Isa was the pioneer/immediate past General Secretary and a current member of the Governing Council of the FinTech Association of Nigeria of the FinTech Association of Nigeria. He was part of the working group constituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Financial System Strategy (FSS) 2020 to review and update all legislations relating to the payment system in Nigeria. Isa is a non-executive director on the boards of Wakanow.Com Limited, BT Payments Services Limited and Oakwood Gambia Holdings Limited (the holding company for Skye Bank Gambia Limited). He is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by Chambers, and IFLR1000.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Dan Agbor is a long-standing fixture in the market, highly regarded for his expertise in banking issues including debt restructuring and fund establishment.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: 0906 000 3561 2

ialade@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Isa Alade enjoys extensive praise from market commentators for his practice, which spans banking, syndicated loan and financing matters.

Seyi Bella Banwo & Ighodalo

Seyi Bella is a partner at Banwo & Ighodalo with fifteen (15) years of experience. Her core areas of practice are Banking and Finance, Project Finance, Private Equity, Mergers and Acquisitions and Fintech. In this regard, she has rendered legal advice to companies (both domestic and multinational), international banks and financial institutions; and has been involved in some of the highest-profile transactions in corporate Nigeria. Although her practice focuses on secured lending and asset finance, the advice she provides to clients cuts across several sectors, including oil and gas (reserve-based lending), real estate and construc tion, telecoms, power, healthcare and hospitality.

She co-led the team that advised a syndicate of international and domestic banks in connec tion with an up to US$1.1Billion term and revolving loan facility advanced to Heirs Holdings Oil & Gas and TNOG Pipelines Limited for the purposes of financing the acquisition of a forty-five per cent (45%) participating interest in Nigerian oil license OML 17 (and other oil and gas infrastructure) from Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited, Total E&P Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

She co-led the team that advised the Dangote Group in connection with the US$3,025,000,000 syndicated financing transaction for the devel opment of a fertilizer plant with a capacity per annum of 2.8 metric tonnes of urea and the largest oil refinery in the West African sub-region with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Nigeria (the Dangote Projects). At the time, this deal was the single largest corporate finance transaction in the West African sub-region. Seyi recently advised Appzone Group in connection with its US$10 Million (Ten Million United States Dollars) Series A investment led by CardinalStone Capital Advisers Growth Fund LP. This investment will see Appzone

expand its banking technology across Africa and support the Group in building the next generation of infrastructure for digital financial services on the continent. She also advised Moove Africa BV, a leading mobility fintech (with partnerships with Uber Technologies) that democratizes vehicle ownership across Africa in connection with a $20m loan facility advanced by the IFC to increase its fleet of energy-efficient vehicles to be used on e-hailing platforms.

Seyi has served as a repeat facilitator and speaker at the Loan Market Association (“LMA”) Documentation Training Series in Nigeria, chairing sessions on the future of the loan syndications market in Nigeria.

Seyi sits as a director on the boards of Ocean Hospitality Limited and The Fate Foundation (an NGO committed to the development of training entrepreneurs in Nigeria).

Kofo Dosekun Aluko & Oyebode

Kofo Dosekun is the chairman of the management board of Aluko & Oyebode and leads the firm’s corporate and commercial, banking, and corporate finance practices. She advises on a broad range of financing and commercial transactions including project finance, cross border and local syndicated lending, private equity, energy, public-private part nerships, and structured trade finance. She also advises on risk mitigation, financial regulatory compliance, foreign investment and derivatives, mergers and acquisitions and restructurings in the energy, manufacturing, and telecommunications sectors.

Kofo acted as a lead counsel to MTN in its 200-billion-naira facility from a syndicate of Nigerian banks. She also acted as lead counsel to a syndicate of onshore and offshore lenders in connection with the provision of a US$2 billion senior secured medium-term financing facility to Aiteo Eastern E&P for the acquisition of a 45 per cent interest in OML 29. She led the team in Nigeria that advised Indorama on the US$1 billion financing of its fertiliser plant. She also led the team that advised the sponsors in connection with the restructuring of the US$1.2 billion NGLII financing, and the US$600 million satellite field oil financing.

Kofo has worked on several award-winning transactions and continues to advise various financial institutions operating in the Nigerian market, including Citibank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Commerzbank.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos Tel: + 234 1 461 5205 sbella@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Seyi Bella is a market-leading banking lawyer, whom market commentators are “most impressed by her depth of knowledge, work ethic, and keenness to provide a solution to complex cases”.

Kofo Dosekun (cont.)

Kofo’s expertise in project finance, mergers and acquisitions has been recognized by prestigious legal directories. Over years, she has been recog nized as the leading Lawyer in banking, finance, project finance, mergers & acquisitions and govern ance. and in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500, she was inducted into The Legal 500 Hall of Fame as the first and only female Lawyer for her work in the banking, finance and capital markets practice.

Kofo has an LLB (honours) from the University of Ife and an LLM from King’s College London. She is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a member of the International Bar Association.

Yinka Edu

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Yinka Edu is a Partner in the firm’s Banking & Finance team, and heads the firm’s Capital Markets team. She has been involved in a range of finan cial and capital markets transactions, including advising on the first global depositary receipts programme, the first Eurobond issuance by a Nigerian Corporate, and the establishment of the first ETF to be listed in Nigeria.

She regularly advises on the establishment of mutual funds, derivatives transactions and public Merger & Acquisition transactions. She also advises on issues relating to the Nigerian bond market, and on compliance issues in connection with banking and capital market assignments, many of which, being innovative or new to Nigeria, often require skilled liaison with our regulatory authorities. She was a core member of the team that advised several local banks with the 2008 banking consolidation mergers.

Yinka has published articles in Getting the Deal Through - Securities Finance - Nigeria, and in The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Mergers & Acquisitions. She presents papers and conducts seminars at the IBA Conferences on security for bank lending and on capital markets’ issues. She chairs the Capital Markets’ Solicitors Association of Nigeria, and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law Competition Committee.

Yinka is the only Nigerian lawyer to be ranked Tier 1 in Chambers and Partners for fintech work. She is also ranked by Chambers Global for her expertise in banking & finance and corporate/ commercial practice, and is commended for her banking and finance and capital markets work in Who’s Who Legal. She sits on the board of several companies.

Gbolahan Elias is a partner in G Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms. He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for 15 years and is a member of several distinguished professional bodies. These include the International Academy of Defense Counsel and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

He read law at Oxford University and was called to the New York Bar in 1990. His work is recognized and commended in leading directories such as The Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global

He advises on both banking transactions and banking regulation. He has advised on large, complex and seminal financings of the operations, projects and acquisitions of leading players in the real estate, telecommunications, electric power, transport, manufacturing and oil-and-gas sectors.

Much of his recent banking work has involved advising international banks lending US dollar sums over 1bn in each case to vehicles including leading global production oil-and-gas companies and state-owned entities. He has also been advising Nigerian privately-owned oil producers on major US dollar borrowings.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0532 kofo.dosekun@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Kofo Dosekun is an acclaimed banking practitioner whom peers recom mend as “a well-known and reputable lawyer in the banking and finance space”.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 462 2307 12 yinka.edu@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Yinka Edu is highly regarded in the Nigerian market for her skilful handling of a diverse range of financial transactions.

6 Broad Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4607890 gbolahan.elias@gelias.com www.gelias.com

WWL says: Gbolahan Elias SAN comes highly recommended by peers across the region for his banking expertise and brings significant experience of representing domestic banks on a range of issues to his clients’ matters.

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co

Lawrence Fubara Anga

AÉLEX

Lawrence Fubara Anga heads the banking and financial services practice group of Aelex. He is admitted to practise in Nigeria, England and Wales, and Ghana. He appears as counsel before all supe rior courts in Nigeria and has acted as counsel or party-appointed arbitrator in several arbitration proceedings.

He advises domestic and international banks, financial institutions and financial industry regula tors on transactional and regulatory issues as well as on other matters relating to banking, financial services and capital markets. His practice includes advising banks and financial institutions on banking regulations, capitalisation issues, structuring of financial transactions, and compliance with finan cial industry regulators. He advises clients from around the world on direct and portfolio foreign investment in Nigeria.

He advised the federal government in the review of the Investment and Securities Act. He was invited as a member of the presidential policy advisory committee, where he was a member of the subcommittee on finance and investment. He authored the committee’s policy paper on foreign investment and privatisation.

He advises on finance in transactions in the oil and gas, telecoms, power, and infrastructure sectors. Fubara’s recent transactions include advising a syndicate of local and international banks on a US$800 million loan facility in respect of the acquisition of an oil field in Nigeria, advising a syndicate of local and international banks, on a US$141 million syndicated loan facility in respect of the acquisition of a power plant , advising a project sponsor in the US$50 Million financing of a 25MMSCF gas processing plant utilising a BOT financing structure. He is currently acting as project and borrower’s counsel in an 80 million Euros ECA-backed project financing in respect of the reclamation of 200 hectares of land from the Lagos lagoon.

Fubara was a member and chairman of the Capital Markets Solicitors Association. He was also the chairman of the Central Bank of Nigeria SMIES policy guidelines review committee. He i s currently the Chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Investment Protection Funds. He was a member of the Federal Ministry of Finance Committee on drafting a code of ethics for capital market regulators. He is currently a member of the capital markets master plan committee and the CMC rules and compliance subcommittee of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was appointed as a member of the UNICTRAL Group of Experts on Commercial Fraud. He is a member of council and the chairman of commercial law and taxation committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He has obtained advanced certification in project finance from the CLDP and Eximbank (US), in venture capital from the Venture Capital Institute (US) and in entrepreneurial development from the United Nations Centre for Transnational Corporations. He received a BA in economics and political science from Yale University in 1980 and a BA (1983) and MA (1988) in law from the University of Cambridge.

Oghogho Makinde Aluko & Oyebode

Oghogho joined the partnership of Aluko & Oyebode in 2003. Her main practice areas are energy and natural resources, public private partnerships (PPPs), banking and finance, private equity, corpo rate restructuring and divestitures, project/infra structure finance and regulatory compliance. She is the head of the firm’s business advisory practice.

Oghogho is currently advising on a couple of energy and natural resources transactions, including: advising an international oil company in Nigerian deep offshore joint venture in connection with the deployment of offshore production facilities in Nigerian deep offshore operations; advising an international oil and gas services company in JV with a Nigerian partner on the termination of the JV arrangement and the buyout of the Nigerian partner; advising a Dublin registered oil and gas company on its investment in an independent oil and gas company by way of subscription to shares and loan notes; advising a foremost marginal field operator on the post completion regulatory aspects of the acquisition of certain joint venture interests and assets; and advising a couple of clients on the Nigerian 2020 marginal fields bid rounds.

Oghogho received a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from the University of Benin in 1988 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. She has a master’s degree in law (LLM) from the University of Lagos. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; an associate member of the Energy Institute, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), the Nigerian Gas Association, and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). She was the sole Nigerian Client Choice Awards winner in 2018 and 2019 and is an “IFLR woman leader” for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 2793365 Ext. 102 lfanga@aelex.com www.aelex.com

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234803 402 8360 oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Oghogho Makinde is heralded by peers as “a senior lawyer” in the market who is highly esteemed for her first-rate advisory work on financial matters.

WWL says: Lawrence Fubara Anga is a leading name in Nigeria for banking matters report sources, with special expertise advising banks on syndication issues in the market.

Nicholas Okafor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Nicholas Okafor is the Head of Udo Udoma & Belo – Osagie’s Energy & Infrastructure Practice. His core specialisations are energy (including electric power), projects, and infrastructure transactions, including Project Finance. He has advised on key infrastructure projects in Nigeria including a pipe line network in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States for the delivery of natural gas to cement plants, power plants, and other facilities. He advised on the creation of a ring-fenced power island that will generate its own electricity and distribute the generated energy across nine Local Government Areas in Abia State, to a population of close to two million people. He recently advised a consortium of investors in its intended collaboration with one of the State Governments in Nigeria on the proposed development, financing, construction, and commis sioning of a 110 kilometres circular toll road in that State in order to improve traffic flow, using a public, private partnership and build, operate and transfer concession model.

In relation to his cross-border and pan African Practice, he advised a leading global energy company on its entry into, and the process for the procurement of an integrated energy solution that will, when completed, provide generation, distri bution and transmission solution to South Sudan. He is advising another leading tech-enabled healthcare investment company that specialises in healthcare infrastructure projects across Africa on its intended collaboration with the Ghanian and Togolese Governments for the purpose of financing, procurement, and deployment of diagnostic facili ties for use in the essential areas of radiology and pathology across hospitals in Ghana and Togo under a public, private partnership using the build, operate and transfer arrangement.

As part of his Oil and Gas Practice, he is advising leading indigenous oil and gas companies on the deployment of innovative solutions to deal with the challenges associated with the produc tion and safe evacuation of crude oil, condensate and gas in the Niger Delta Region, regulatory and compliance issues within the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry and dealing with the just concluded Marginal Field bid round in respect of which licences have been issued to successful bidders.

Nicholas is a published author that has written and co-authored several articles on the Nigerian Power Sector and taking security by Nigerian banks, published by reputable jour nals. He has delivered several presentations and training, including training more than 2,000 Nigerian lawyers in December 2021 as part of the faculty for the Nigerian Bar Association’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education mandatory legal training for lawyers. He is a member of the Faculty of Commercial Law Development Services, an organization that provide paid training for lawyers, and corporate executives.

He is particularly skillful in raising capital for clients, whether by debt or equity, in the interna tional capital market using Eurobonds and other instruments, the Nigerian capital market, or through syndicated or bilateral bank loans.

He is ranked by reputable independent global research organisations that review the practice of legal practitioners globally and is considered “a leader in the project development space with robust knowledge of the intricacies within Nigerian law”. He is ranked as a “leader in his field” in Banking & Finance/Energy & Natural Resources.

Femi Olubanwo Banwo & Ighodalo

Femi Olubanwo is a founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, one of the leading corporate and commercial law firms in Nigeria. He graduated with an LLB (honours) degree from the University of Lagos in 1981 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. After a short stint at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, he joined the law firm Chris O. Okunowo & Co in 1983. In 1989, he established Femi Banwo & Co., a law firm that later morphed into Banwo & Ighodalo, a partnership which he co-founded in 1991. The firm has since grown from two partners and one associate to more than 80 lawyers including 15 partners, with offices in Lagos and Abuja.

Femi focuses on investments, banking and corporate finance, project finance, mining, and intellectual property. He is well versed in project and corporate finance and has been engaged in a very wide variety of national and international financing transactions over the past 30 years. He is frequently recommended as a leading lawyer in banking, finance and mining, by leading interna tional law directories including Chambers Global, WWL and IFLR1000. He has written many articles and is a frequent speaker on his core practice areas.

He is a director of many companies operating in diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy, and of several not-for-profit organizations, particularly in the area of education.

He has taken a special interest in the growth and development of law firms in Nigeria, and has spoken at different fora on diverse topics relating to the running of law firms as a business.

His hobbies are reading, driving, travel, snooker and, recently, golf. He and his late wife are blessed with three adult children, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter.

St. Nicholas House (10th, 12th & 13th Floors) Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 2774920 nicholas.okafor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136

folubanwo@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Femi Olubanwo is identified by sources as an excellent banking lawyer in the Nigerian market, with extensive expe rience in a range of banking and loan syndi cation issues.

WWL says: Nicholas Okafor draws praise from clients for his encyclopaedic knowledge of banking law and top-notch guidance on project financing matters.

Ayotunde Owoigbe

Banwo & Ighodalo

Ayotunde Owoigbe is a partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001; she joined B&I shortly afterwards and was admitted into the firm’s partnership in 2010. Her core practice areas, spanning 20 years’ experience, are banking and finance, capital markets, M&A and project finance.

Ayotunde advises Nigerian and foreign banks, DFIs, borrowers and corporate lenders. Amongst several other financing transactions, she advised Appzone on its US$10million Series A financing which has been deployed towards extending its leading banking technology platform in Nigeria as well as Union Bank of Nigeria plc in connection with a US dollar-denominated pandemic mitigation financing obtained from Afrexim Bank.

Ayotunde is a past chair of the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA), an independent self-regulatory association of Nigerian law firms that contributes to the development of the national capital market and promotes the interests of legal practitioners engaged in capital market transactions.

Ayotunde frequently delivers presentations on subjects in her core practice areas, as well as other topics. She is a frequent facilitator at seminars and workshops organised for or by professional associ ations, international law firms and clients.

Ayotunde is a non-executive director on the boards of Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, fund manager of the “Africa Infra Plus Funds I and II”, infrastructure funds registered by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission and Me Cure Industries Limited, a leading pharmaceuticals company in Nigeria.

She is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by Chambers, IFLR1000, WWL, The Legal 500 and World’s Leading Women in Business Law; amongst other recognition. She has attended executive management and leadership courses in leading institutions such as Harvard Business School.

Gbenga Oyebode Aluko & Oyebode

Gbenga Oyebode is the chairman of the manage ment board of Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s energy practice. He has significant expertise in corporate and commercial law, energy, natural resources and mining, project finance, aviation and telecommunications.

Gbenga is currently involved in a number of complex commercial transactions in various sectors, with a particular focus on the energy, mining and telecommunications sectors. He advised on the US$80 million investment by 8 Miles LLP, ACA and DEG in Beloxxi Industries and the sale by Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation of its 60 per cent equity stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc. He also advised on the Brass LNG Project; the US$1.25 billion financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Project; the US$1.06 billion financing of trains four and five of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Expansion Project; and the development, financing and implementation of the first IPP project in Nigeria.

Gbenga attended the University of Ife (LLB, honours) and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LLM), graduating in 1979 and 1982 respectively. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983). At various times in his career he worked with White & Case in New York and Gulf Oil Company in Lagos and Houston.

Gbenga is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He is a past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association section on business law and serves on the boards of several companies.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136 aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ayotunde Owoigbe sits among the foremost banking lawyers thanks to her impressive track-record advising on the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory matters.

whoswholegal.com

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 8032 000 007

gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Gbenga Oyebode is an accom plished practitioner with a well-devel oped financial practice, praised by market commentators as a “senior statesman” in the field.

Adeola Sunmola

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Adeola is a Partner in Udo Udoma and BeloOsagie’s banking and finance, power, projects and infrastructure (including real estate develop ment), and compliance and investigations teams. Her specialisations include syndicated lending transactions; debt restructuring; financing for power; manufacturing, real estate and infrastruc ture projects; Islamic finance, as well as anti-cor ruption compliance and corporate investigations in Nigeria.She routinely advises local and inter national clients and banks in connection with financing transactions involving various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including transactions which have “cross-border” elements. She also advises lenders and borrowers on transaction structure, documentation negotiation and perfection of secu rity.In the power sector, Adeola advises clients on projects relating to the acquisition and refurbish ment of brownfield power plants and the construc tion and establishment of greenfield projects. She also assists investors with navigating regulatory hurdles, including obtaining permits and licenses, as well as achieving compliance with anti-bribery and corruption rules and anti-money laundering controls.Adeola’s strength lies in finding solutions to complex legal issues, and in providing legal support to her clients in a manner that enables them to successfully complete deals.

Adeola contributes to the World Bank’s annual ‘Doing Business in Nigeria’ surveys, and has deliv ered presentations on Nigerian contract law, real estate development and financing, cross-border lending, secured credit transactions, project finance and compliance with Nigerian laws and regulations on anti-corruption. She, together with a team of experts, collaborated with the Commercial Law Development Program of the United States

Department of Commerce in workshops leading to the publication of the book titled “The Annotation of Power Purchase Agreements” for Power Africa, as part of President Obama’s Power Africa Initiative.

Adeola is a highly regarded lawyer by leading global legal directories for her banking & finance, project finance and energy specialisations.

Reginald Udom Aluko & Oyebode

Reginald is a partner in the corporate and commer cial department of Aluko & Oyebode. His main prac tice areas are banking and finance, project finance, and energy and natural resources. He has advised sponsors, lenders, issuers, underwriters and borrowers on a number of financing transactions involving LNG plants; oil and gas fields, and related infrastructure; shopping centres; cement plants; and steel mills.

In the past 18 months, he has acted as lead counsel in several high-profile upstream and midstream transactions which closed successfully, and where the total commitments from Nigerian banks were in excess of US$1 billion. These loan facilities, made available to Nigerian oil and gas Independents, are currently being used for field developments and construction of alternative crude evacuation platforms. Reginald also advised Vitol and Helios in connection with the acquisition of the downstream petroleum business of the Oando Group, which represented the largest capital inflow into the Nigerian downstream sector.

Reginald attended the University of Lagos (LLB with honours, 2000) and University College London (LLM, 2006). He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He has a keen interest in leadership locally and abroad, and has attended several related train ings and seminars including the Yale University/ Nigeria Leadership Initiative fellows’ leader ship programme, and the law firm leadership programme facilitated by Professor David B Wilkins at Harvard Law School.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 14622307 12 adeola.sunmola@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Adeola Sunmola is praised as “a very analytical practitioner” who “always goes above and beyond” in her financial advice to clients in the real estate and construction industries.

whoswholegal.com

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 806 118 5105 reginald.udom@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Reginald Udom as a “highly regarded lawyer” in Nigeria’s banking market, and is well-versed in the full range of banking and finance issues clients face in the jurisdiction.

Aniekan Ukpanah

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Aniekan Ukpanah is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. He heads the firm’s banking & finance, project finance, and real estate teams. He advises on the structuring and financing of large-scale construction, infra structure and energy projects, the capital and money markets, and syndicated loans.He co-led the team that advised an international financial institution on a US$50,000,000.00 facility to one of the top five Nigerian banks, and advises inves tors in the gas sector, including one of the largest extractors of natural gas in the world, in relation to various Nigerian oil & gas projects. In addition to legal services, he provides client training and presents papers on security for bank lending, secured credit transactions and legal issues asso ciated with PPPs.

Slightly outside of his banking and finance focus, Mr. Ukpanah acted as the team leader in a World Bank/USAID-funded project to devise a ‘road map’ to guide foreign investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Aniekan is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner for his Banking & Finance work by Chambers Global; as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Banking, Capital Markets, Project Development, and Project Finance sections of the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides); a Leading Individual for his Real Estate and Construction practice by the Legal 500 and is commended in Who’s Who Legal.

Aniekan sits on the board of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, with 150+ member firms and more than 22,000 lawyers worldwide. He also chairs and serves on the boards of various private limited liability compa nies. He is a member of the governing council of Obong University, the first licensed private univer sity in Akwa Ibom State.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 462 2307/ 2308 / 2309 / 2310 aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Aniekan Ukpanah receives extensive acclaim for his practice, which focuses on advising high-profile, multina tionals and governments on a wide range of finance and banking issues.

Dan Agbor*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net

Babatunde Ajibade SAN SPA Ajibade & Co bajibade@spaajibade.com

Zelda Akindele Templars zelda.akindele@templars-law.com

Isa Alade*

Banwo & Ighodalo ialade@banwo-ighodalo.com

Seye Ayinla

Duale Ovia and Alex Adedipe ayinla@doa-law.com

Seyi Bella* Banwo & Ighodalo sbella@banwo-ighodalo.com

Kofo Dosekun* Aluko & Oyebode kofo.dosekun@aluko-oyebode.com

Yinka Edu*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie yinka.edu@uubo.org

Gbolahan Elias SAN* G Elias & Co gbolahan.elias@gelias.com

Wolemi Esan

Olaniwun Ajayi LP wesan@olaniwunajayi.net

Lawrence Fubara Anga* AÉLEX lfanga@aelex.com

Oghogho Makinde* Aluko & Oyebode oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com

Chike Obianwu Templars chike.obianwu@templars-law.com

Nicholas Okafor*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie nicholas.okafor@uubo.org

Femi Olubanwo* Banwo & Ighodalo folubanwo@banwo-ighodalo.com

Fred Onuobia G Elias & Co fred.onuobia@gelias.com

Oluseye Opasanya Olaniwun Ajayi LP oopasanya@olaniwunajayi.net

Ayotunde Owoigbe* Banwo & Ighodalo aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com

Tominiyi Owolabi Olaniwun Ajayi LP towolabi@olaniwunajayi.net

Gbenga Oyebode* Aluko & Oyebode gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com Adeola Sunmola*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie adeola.sunmola@uubo.org Ladi Taiwo Abdulai Taiwo & Co l.taiwo@abdulaitaiwo.com.ng Reginald Udom* Aluko & Oyebode reginald.udom@aluko-oyebode.com Aniekan Ukpanah*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

CAPITAL MARKETS

In this chapter, WWL identifies 18 distinguished practitioners who stand out in the Nigerian market for their first-class work on the full spectrum of capital markets transactions.

Most Highly Regarded

Olumayowa Arokodare TOLG Advisors Lagos

Four lawyers from Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie are listed in this chapter.

Yinka Edu is “well known in the capital markets space” where she regularly advises on the establishment of mutual funds, deriv atives transactions and public M&A.

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a key name in Nigeria when it comes to capital markets matters, as she has considerable experience and skill with advising clients on syndicated debt facilities in Africa.

Dan Agbor receives widespread acclaim for his considerable knowledge of capital markets law, with specialist expertise in the legal issues surrounding foreign investments.

Aniekan Ukpanah ranks prominently in our research for his work in capital markets, receiving wide-ranging endorsements from peers for his advice to investors in the gas sector.

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co Lagos

Banwo & Ighodalo excel with three practi tioners listed.

Asue Ighodalo from Banwo & Ighodalo is a prominent name in the capital markets space, and is highly sought after by clients for his financing and transactional expertise.

Ayotunde Owoigbe is singled out by peers as “an astute commercial lawyer” who excels in equity and financing projects for clients across a diverse range of sectors.

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq ais “a key practi tioner” in the market who possesses “good knowledge of the regulatory issues in the capital markets space”.

Gbolahan Elias SAN with G Elias & CO enjoys a fantastic reputation in the capital markets space in Nigeria, and is well-versed on private equity financings, securitisations and IPO matters.

Yinka Edu Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie Lagos

Olumayowa Arokodare with TOLG Advisors wins accolades for his advisory work on a diverse range of complex capital markets transactions involving multinational companies.

Michael Orimobi provides expert advice on capital markets transactions and is a leading name in the Nigerian market.

Olubunmi Fayokun from Aluko & Oyebode is a respected and accomplished name in Nigeria’s capital markets space, with an exemplary track record with debt and equity capital markets matters as well as project financing issues.

Odujinrin & Adefulu’s Damilola Adetunji is well renowned in the capital markets space and regularly works with high-profile corpo rate clients, investment banks and public sector clients.

Biographies

Damilola Adetunji Odujinrin & Adefulu

Damilola Adetunji is a partner and head of Odujinrin & Adefulu’s Corporate, Capital Markets and Finance Team. She is a legal practitioner with over twenty-two (22) years professional experience in the general practice of law with particular emphasis in banking and finance, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital market and international business transactions.

She has advised foreign and domestic clients in a number of transactions as well as various banks and financial institutions on transactions relating to term loans, syndicated power financing, capital market and various trade finance mechanisms. Some of these transactions include leading the team: that acted as Nigerian counsel to the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in its capacity as Mandated Lead Arranger, Lender, Security Agent and Agent in a US$300 million syndicated acquisi tion facility which was utilized to acquire 93.41% of shares in Union Bank Plc and potentially 100% of said shares; that advised Chapel Hill Denham as Nigerian Book Runner in a cumulative US$8billion Eurobond issued by the Nigerian Government; currently acting as Nigerian counsel to African Finance Corporation in respect of a US$130 Million syndicated acquisition facility to be advanced to an oil and gas infrastructure company; and acting as Nigerian counsel to the International Finance Corporation in its capacity as Lender in connection with an up to US$4,500,000 facility in favour of a manufacturing company among others.

Through her professional experience, Damilola has developed a keen understanding of the policy, legal and regulatory framework governing the Nigerian finance industry. Damilola’s contributions in her area of expertise have been well noted and she has been consistently ranked as a leader in the field of corporate and commercial transactions by Chambers and Partners; Who’s Who legal Nigeria, Legal 500, and IFLR1000.

Prior to joining Odujinrin and Adefulu, Damilola practiced with various law firms in the US and Nigeria. She joined the firm in June 2005 as a Senior Associate and was made a Partner in the firm in December 2007. She obtained her law degree from the University of Buckingham (UK) and holds a Master’s degree in law from the Harvard Law School (USA). She is licensed to practice in the State of New York, in the United States of America (1999) and Nigeria (2003). Damilola has written several published articles on matters relating to corporate finance and, between 2015 to 2019, held various positions on the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Capital Market Solicitors Association. She currently serves as an Independent Non-executive Director on the board of Chapel hill Denham Advisory Limited, an investment bank based in Nigeria. She also serves as trustee on several non-profit organizations.

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.

He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establishment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transac tions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guar antees. He serves on the boards of various compa nies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

First Floor, Church House 29, Marina Lagos Tel: +234 1 271 4961 damilola.adetunji@odujinrinadefulu.com www.odujinrinadefulu.com

WWL says: Damilola Adetunji is well renowned in the capital markets space and regularly works with high-profile corporate clients, investment banks and public sector clients.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Dan Agbor receives widespread acclaim for his considerable knowledge of capital markets law, with specialist exper tise in the legal issues surrounding foreign investments.

Yinka Edu Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Yinka Edu is a Partner in the firm’s Banking & Finance team, and heads the firm’s Capital Markets team. She has been involved in a range of finan cial and capital markets transactions, including advising on the first global depositary receipts programme, the first Eurobond issuance by a Nigerian Corporate, and the establishment of the first ETF to be listed in Nigeria.

She regularly advises on the establishment of mutual funds, derivatives transactions and public Merger & Acquisition transactions. She also advises on issues relating to the Nigerian bond market, and on compliance issues in connection with banking and capital market assignments, many of which, being innovative or new to Nigeria, often require skilled liaison with our regulatory authorities. She was a core member of the team that advised several local banks with the 2008 banking consolidation mergers.

Yinka has published articles in Getting the Deal Through - Securities Finance - Nigeria, and in The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Mergers & Acquisitions. She presents papers and conducts seminars at the IBA Conferences on security for bank lending and on capital markets’ issues. She chairs the Capital Markets’ Solicitors Association of Nigeria, and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law Competition Committee.

Yinka is the only Nigerian lawyer to be ranked Tier 1 in Chambers and Partners for fintech work. She is also ranked by Chambers Global for her expertise in banking & finance and corporate/ commercial practice, and is commended for her banking and finance and capital markets work in Who’s Who Legal. She sits on the board of several companies.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 12 yinka.edu@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Yinka Edu is “well known in the capital markets space” where she regularly advises on the establishment of mutual funds, derivatives transactions and public M&A.

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co

Gbolahan Elias is a partner in G Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms. He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for 15 years and is a member of several distinguished professional bodies. These include the International Academy of Defense Counsel and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

He read law at Oxford University and was called to the New York Bar in 1990. His work is recognized and commended in leading directories such as The Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global

He has advised on pioneering offerings such as the first-ever Nigerian residential mort gage-backed securities offering, STRIP securities offering, Eurobond and gaming industry initial equity public offering. He has also advised on the formation of what is today by far the largest debt securities market in Nigeria, the FMDQ.

He has also advised on several large and unique offerings such as the largest bond offering ever by a Federal parastatal (AMCON) and on the first equity offering to be listed simultaneously on securities exchanges in three different countries. He counselled the stockbrokers professional body on the legal aspects of the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s M&A, private equity, and oil and gas teams. Her specialisations include cross-border and domestic equity and asset acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructuring, investments, financing for energy, manufacturing, and industrial projects, and compliance across diverse sectors.

She serves on the legal committees of the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association of Nigeria, where she is also a founding board member and participates in the PEVCA-SEC sub-committee reviewing private equity regu lations in Nigeria. She has also been a member of the GPCA and AVCA legal committees. She headed a legal and regulatory sub-committee of the Federal Minister for Industry Trade and Investment’s Nigerian Private Equity and Venture Capital Development project established to make recommendations for boosting private equity and venture capital activity in Nigeria. Her regulatory review and advocacy practice have also included assisting with the review of, and preparation of draft legislation for the downstream gas sector. She is recognised as an IFLR1000 Women Leader 2022 and commended by The Lawyer’s Africa Elite Private Equity special report. She is ranked for her practice area specialisations by The IFLR1000, Chambers Global, Chambers Global (Fintech), The Legal500, Who’s Who Legal (Global M&A & Governance), and Who’s Who Legal (Nigeria) and is named as one of twenty outstanding Nigerian women in business law by BusinessDay.

6 Broad Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 4607890 gbolahan.elias@gelias.com www.gelias.com

WWL says: Gbolahan Elias SAN enjoys a fantastic reputation in the capital markets space in Nigeria, and is well-versed on private equity financings, securitisations and IPO matters.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 4622307 10 folake.adebowale@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Folake Elias-Adebowale is a key name in Nigeria when it comes to capital markets matters, as she has considerable experience and skill with advising clients on syndicated debt facilities in Africa.

Folake Elias-Adebowale

Olubunmi Fayokun

Aluko & Oyebode

Olubunmi Fayokun is a partner at Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s capital markets and M&A practices. She represents top-tier indigenous, international, and multinational clients in various sectors, including banking, energy and natural resources, power, insurance, aviation, pharma ceuticals, and agriculture.

Olubunmi has advised on several high-profile capital market and M&A transactions, including the demutualisation of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group); Africa Finance Corporation’s US$750 million eurobond and CHF150 million inaugural green bond issuances; the initial public offering and listing of the shares of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc on The Nigerian Stock Exchange; the US$15 million green bond issuance by Access Bank Plc (the first climate board certified corporate green bonds issued in Africa); Nigerian aspects of the US$8.1 billion sale by Unilever Plc of its spreads business; and the 72.5 billion naira merger between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. She is currently advising on a variety of innovative capital market transactions, including the listing of NGX Group and debt issuances by leading Nigerian commercial and merchant banks in the Nigerian and international capital markets.

Olubunmi graduated from the University of Ife in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in law. She was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association; the International Bar Association; the American Bar Association; the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators; and the Capital Market Solicitors’ Association.

Olubunmi has served on various commit tees established by the Securities and Exchange Commission to promote the development of the Nigerian capital market and played a key role in the establishment of the Nigerian Association of Securities Dealers’ over-the-counter market.

Asue Ighodalo Banwo & Ighodalo

Asue Ighodalo is a founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a foremost corporate commercial law firm in Nigeria consistently listed in the top tier of several leading Nigerian and international legal directories, publications and journals. He obtained his first degree in economics from the University of Ibadan, and a law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK; he was admitted into the Nigerian Bar in July 1985.

His core areas of practice are capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, corpo rate and project finance, and energy and natural resources, in all of which he possesses extensive experience.

For many years, Asue has led the Firm’s advi sory teams in numerous domestic and international capital market transactions launched by private and public corporates. This work has covered various sectors including, banking, finance, energy and natural resources, and fast-moving consumer goods. Asue has also advised on transactions involving the issuance of various instruments ranging from shares and bonds to global depository receipts and global depository notes. He recently advised the Federal Republic of Nigeria in connec tion with its aggregate issuance of US$4 billion Eurobonds in the international capital market. Notably, Asue has advised as Nigerian counsel to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on all its Eurobond issuances in the international capital market till date. Asue also led the team that recently advised Access Bank PLC in connection with its issuance of US$500 million senior unsecured Eurobonds in the international capital market and advised some sub-sovereign in connection with their respec tive private company bond issuances, which were all noted on FMDQ Private Markets Limited. He advised MTN Nigeria Communications PLC in connection with their listing on the Premium Board of Nigerian Exchange Limited.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0534 olubunmi.fayokun@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Olubunmi Fayokun is a respected and accomplished name in Nigeria’s capital markets space, with an exemplary track record with debt and equity capital markets matters as well as project financing issues.

Asue Ighodalo (cont.)

Asue is the Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Levene Energy Group. He also serves on boards of several other public and private companies and NGOs. Asue serves on governmental advisory and technical committees from time to time and previously served as the chairman of the technical committee set up by Securities and Exchange Commission to advise on the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and, until recently, serves on the board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.

Asue has been consistently ranked as a top-tier lawyer in all his areas of practice by the leading legal directories.

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq is a partner of Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I), a leading law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos, and joined B&I in 2006. In 2010, she was named as team leader in the firm’s corporate securities and finance practice, with responsibility for managing many of the firm’s most complex and pioneering transactions. She was admitted to the firm’s partnership in January 2017. Her core practice areas are capital markets, M&A and corporate restructurings, Islamic finance, taxation, consumer protection law and competition law having garnered over 15 years of experience working in these fields.

She advised the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“FRN”) on its debut USD500 million Notes due 2021; its sophomore USD1 billion Eurobond trans action consisting of USD500 million Notes due 2018 and USD500 million Notes due 2023. She also advised the FRN in connection with the establish ment of a Global Medium-Term Note Programme and the issuance of an aggregate of USD7 billion Eurobonds by the FRN. She co-led the team that advised the Joint Lead Managers on Nigerian Law in connection with the FRN’s issuance of USD300 million diaspora bond in the international capital market – the first of such diaspora bond issuances by the FRN.

She led the teams that advised the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Debt Management Office in connection with the establishment of a NGN500,000,000,000 (Five Hundred Billion Naira) bond issuance programme and subsequent capital raising under the said programme. She also advised Stanbic Bank Plc and Rand Merchant Bank Limited in connected with the establishments of their Structured Notes Programme.

Azeezah co-led the team that advised in connection with (i) MTN Nigeria Communication Plc’s listing by introduction on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (ii) MTN Nigeria Communications PLC’s ₦200 Billion Bond Issuance Programme and the Issuance of the ₦110,000,000,000.00 Series 1 Bonds which represented the first bond issuance by a Nigerian telecommunications company and was one of the largest bond issuances by a corporate entity in the Nigerian market; (iii) Dangote Cement Plc (“DCP”) in relation to the buy-back of up to 10% of its issued and paid-up share capital, which comprised of 17,040,507,405 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, in compliance with an order of the Federal High Court (this transaction is a first of its kind in Nigeria).

Recently she led the teams that advised (i) North South Power Company Limited in connec tion with the issuance of Series 2 Green Bonds in the sum of N6,325,000,000 through an SPV, NSP-SPV PowerCorp PLC; (ii) Fidelity Bank Plc in connection with the issuance of N41,213,000,000 Series 1 Bonds under its N100,000,000,000 Bond Issuance Programme; (iii) Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited in connection with the establishment of a N50,000,000,000 bond issuance programme by Emzor Pharma Funding SPV PLC and the issuance of series 1 bonds thereunder; (iv) ValuAlliance Asset Management Limited on the restructuring of its ValuAlliance Value Fund from a listed closed-end fund to an unlisted closed-end fund (also known as an interval fund) ; and (v) Dangote Cement PLC’s in connection with the establishment of a N300Billion Multi-Instrument Debt Issuance Programme and the issuance of Series 1 Bonds thereunder.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 8139841361 8139841362 8139841363 aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Asue Ighodalo is a prominent name in the capital markets space, and is highly sought after by clients for his financing and transactional expertise.

Banwo & Ighodalo

Azeezah facilitates trainings for corporations and regulatory authorities in the area of capital markets, corporate law and mergers and acquisi tions nationwide. She is actively engaged in rules drafting, policy reform and legislative develop ment in the Nigerian capital markets space. She is a member of a few notable committees estab lished by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Committee on E-IPO that prepared the Rules and Regulation on the E-IPO in Nigeria.

Michael Orimobi TOLG Advisors

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 8139841361 8139841362 813984136

asadiq@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Azeezah Muse-Sadiq is “a key practitioner” in the market who possesses “good knowledge of the regulatory issues in the capital markets space”.

Michael is an astute capital markets & finance lawyer, global business leader and philanthro pist. He is the founder and chairman of several thriving businesses across the globe, including TOLG, a global law firm of over 40 years with offices in Africa, London, New York and Sydney; Ash Xander, a thriving consultancy firm head quartered in Mauritius that caters to the human resources, technology, public relations & branding and financial advisory needs of its clients; BEX, a conglomerate that actively invests in various sectors of the Nigerian economy including logistics, facility management, real estate, financial services, e-commerce, entertainment, sports, commodities & trading. With years of experience and expertise in capital & money markets, corporate finance, project finance and structured finance transactions, MO as he is popularly called by business partners and associates, is also a director in a couple of bluechip companies in Nigeria including DLM Capital Group Limited and Adino Capital Limited. He is the chairman of UCA – Urban & Contemporary Architects Limited, and is an investor in so many other businesses. His career began with his sojourn into investment banking, where he was involved in structuring several Nigerian and cross border commercial transactions before he transitioned fully into legal practice, where he became one of the youngest managing partners of a leading law firm in Nigeria in his early twenties and transformed the law firm over the years into a global law firm. His business prowess has given him and his businesses a number of accolades, as he has won several outstanding awards including being ranked as a leading lawyer for capital markets deals in Nigeria by the IFLR1000. With his background in the invest ment banking industry, he has been able to bring his wealth of experience and knowledge in finance into legal practice, thereby being admired as a distin guished capital markets lawyer. MO has success fully represented several prominent personalities and businesses in Nigeria on legal issues and has acted as advisor to several global leaders. Since his evolvement from being a capital markets lawyer to a business magnate, MO has also advanced to

become a mentor and a leader in the legal industry by inspiring and imparting knowledge on young lawyers as well as young business owners. He takes it upon himself to ensure that young lawyers are educated in the right practice of the law and are capable of practicing their skill with finesse. He has been involved in several philanthropies both publicly and privately through his personal estate and the Tokunbo Orimobi Foundation, which is focused on Mentorship, Education and Advisory (MEA). He has a master’s degree in commercial law (with emphasis on corporate finance law, international commercial tax, international intellectual property law and corporate governance) from the University of Cambridge, and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Bar Association (IBA).

The Bolajoko, 15A Remi Olowude Street Lekki Lagos

Tel: +234 805 519 0020

michaelorimobi@tolegalgroup.com www.tolegalgroup.com

WWL says: Michael Orimobi provides expert advice on commercial transactions and is a well-known player in the space.

Ayotunde Owoigbe

Banwo & Ighodalo

Ayotunde Owoigbe is a partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001; she joined B&I shortly afterwards and was admitted into the firm’s partnership in 2010. Her core practice areas, spanning 20 years’ experience, are banking and finance, capital markets, M&A and project finance.

Her recent transactions include advising a group of investors led by Persianas Investment Limited in its acquisition of Shoprite’s Nigerian business, Interswitch Holdings Limited in connec tion with the acquisition of 19.9 per cent of equity interest by Visa International Service and Access Bank on its merger with Diamond Bank to create, arguably, the largest retail bank in Africa.

Ayotunde is a past chair of the Capital Market Solicitors Association, an independent self-regula tory association of Nigerian law firms that contrib utes to the development of the national capital market and promotes the interests of legal prac titioners engaged in capital market transactions.

Ayotunde frequently delivers presentations on subjects in her core practice areas, as well as other topics. She is a frequent facilitator at seminars and workshops organised for or by professional associ ations, international law firms and clients.

Ayotunde is a non-executive director on the boards of Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, fund manager of the “Africa Infra Plus Funds I and II”, infrastructure funds registered by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission and Me Cure Industries Limited, a leading pharmaceuticals company in Nigeria.

She is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by Chambers, IFLR1000, WWL, The Legal 500 and World’s Leading Women in Business La w; amongst other recognition. She has attended executive management and leader ship courses in leading institutions such as Harvard Business School.

Aniekan Ukpanah Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Aniekan Ukpanah is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. He heads the firm’s banking & finance, project finance, and real estate teams. He advises on the structuring and financing of large-scale construction, infra structure and energy projects, the capital and money markets, and syndicated loans.

He co-led the team that advised an interna tional financial institution on a US$50,000,000.00 facility to one of the top five Nigerian banks, and advises investors in the gas sector, including one of the largest extractors of natural gas in the world, in relation to various Nigerian oil & gas projects. In addition to legal services, he provides client training and presents papers on security for bank lending, secured credit transactions and legal issues asso ciated with PPPs.Slightly outside of his banking and finance focus, Mr. Ukpanah acted as the team leader in a World Bank/USAID-funded project to devise a ‘road map’ to guide foreign investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Aniekan is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner for his Banking & Finance work by Chambers Global; as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Banking, Capital Markets, Project Development, and Project Finance sections of the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides); a Leading Individual for his Real Estate and Construction practice by the Legal 500 and is commended in Who’s Who Legal. Aniekan sits on the board of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, with 150+ member firms and more than 22,000 lawyers worldwide. He also chairs and serves on the boards of various private limited liability companies. He is a member of the governing council of Obong University, the first licensed private university in Akwa Ibom State.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136 aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ayotunde Owoigbe is singled out by peers as “an astute commercial lawyer” who excels in equity and financing projects for clients across a diverse range of sectors.

whoswholegal.com

St. Nicholas House (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 462 2307 / 2308 / 2309 / 2310 aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Aniekan Ukpanah ranks promi nently in our research for his work in capital markets, receiving wide-ranging endorse ments from peers for his advice to investors in the gas sector.

Damilola Adetunji*

Odujinrin & Adefulu damilola.adetunji@odujinrinadefulu.com

Dan Agbor*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net

Olumayowa Arokodare TOLG Advisors olumayowaarokodare@tolegalgroup.com

Yinka Edu*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie yinka.edu@uubo.org

Gbolahan Elias SAN* G Elias & Co gbolahan.elias@gelias.com

Folake Elias-Adebowale*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie folake.adebowale@uubo.org

Wolemi Esan Olaniwun Ajayi LP wesan@olaniwunajayi.net

Olubunmi Fayokun* Aluko & Oyebode olubunmi.fayokun@aluko-oyebode.com

Asue Ighodalo* Banwo & Ighodalo aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq* Banwo & Ighodalo asadiq@banwo-ighodalo.com

Chike Obianwu Templars chike.obianwu@templars-law.com

Abimbola Ogunbanjo

CHRIS OGUNBANJO LP info@chrisogunbano.com

Alayo Ogunbiyi

Abdulai Taiwo & Co info@abdulaitaiwo.com

Segun Omoregie G Elias & Co segun@gelias.com

Michael Orimobi* TOLG Advisors michaelorimobi@tolegalgroup.com

Ayotunde Owoigbe* Banwo & Ighodalo aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com

Aniekan Ukpanah*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org

have been

who

CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE

Here, we highlight nine practitioners in the Nigerian construction and real estate market who stand out for their vast experience working with major domestic and international clients on a broad range of matters.

Bolanle Olawale Babalakin SAN with Babalakin & Co is widely recognised as a leader in the Nigerian market for his experi ence advising governments on construction and real estate matters.

Adedoyin Afun from Bloomfield Law Practice wins praise from clients for his “patience” and ability to “quickly grasp the main issues of a dispute and proffer solutions to thorny issues”.

Elizabeth Idigbe at Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors is commended for her “consistency, prompt timelines and personalised service”, making sure to “go above and beyond for client needs”.

Woye Famojuro of Famsville Solicitors is commended by market respondents for his “Impressive attention to detail” and “delivery of excellent results within agreed deadlines”.

At Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Aniekan Ukpanah is a top-tier construction and real estate lawyer, and is highlighted by commen tators for his outstanding advisory work on real estate developments.

Banwo & Ighodalo’s Olumide Osundolire stands out for his top-tier work representing clients in complex property and real estate matters.

Fola Jaiyesimi with Gavelsmiths Solicitors & Advocates is a well-established name in Nigeria for the full gamut of real estate matters, with significant experience in financing.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb at Aluko & Oyebode secures worldwide endorse ments for his work advising clients on a variety of commercial lettings and property acquisitions.

Tosin Ajose with DEALHQ is a standout prac titioner who possesses “in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations of securities”. One client adds: “He has highly impressed and surpassed our expectations.”

Biographies

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb

Aluko & Oyebode

Adeniyi Adegbonmire is a partner in the litigation and ADR department of Aluko & Oyebode. Adeniyi obtained a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB, honours) from the University of Ife, Ile Ife in 1987. Adeniyi is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

In 2015, Adeniyi was elevated to the prestig ious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Nigerian equivalent of a UK Queen’s Counsel.

Adeniyi heads the firm’s insolvency, business recovery and debt recovery practice and advises on all aspects of insolvency law. He has acted as both receiver/manager and counsel to credi tors in receivership, winding up and bankruptcy proceedings.

Adeniyi has a very pragmatic approach to dispute resolution and strategy and has deployed this approach and his wealth of experience in providing legal advice to local and multinational companies involved in insolvency litigation.

Adeniyi was appointed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to act as the receiver/manager of Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian airline. As receiver/ manager, Adeniyi has successfully managed the operations of the company, with the support of a professional management and technical team. The firm has also been retained as counsel to AMCON in proceedings instituted to prevent any unlawful interference with the receivership.

Adeniyi also successfully represented AMCON in its efforts to recover a debt of approximately 4.3 billion naira from Shoreline Power Company Limited, two of its affiliated companies and two of its directors.

Olumide Osundolire

Banwo & Ighodalo

Olumide is a versatile, intelligent and resourceful lawyer. He is a partner in the intellectual property practice group and the securities, finance, corpo rate and commercial practice group of Banwo & Ighodalo, where he leads the firm’s technology, company secretarial and governance advisory services and real estate practices. He is respon sible, either personally or along with his team, for providing legal and regulatory advisory services to key players (private and public institutions) in various sectors of the Nigerian economy. His clients include public and private entities, as well as start-ups and multinationals.

Olumide's versatility is evidenced by the sheer breadth of practice areas which include technology law, intellectual property law, foreign investment and divestment, mergers and acquisition, corporate and commercial law, company secretarial services, regulatory compliance and governance advisory services, property and construction law, and family law and probate.

He also advises, from time to time, one of the oldest and most capitalised life insurance compa nies in the world, in relation to its investment in Nigeria; and the leading smart card manufac turing and personalisation company in Nigeria.

He continues to assist clients on a wide range of intellectual property and technology matters.

Olumide is a member of several associations including the Real Estate Lawyer Association of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (where he also serves as a member of the publication committee).

He regularly speaks at seminars and conferences as well as facilitates training to the legal teams of some of the firm's clients on his chosen areas of practice.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233

Tel: +234 803 402 0536

adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb secures worldwide endorsements for his work advising clients on a variety of commercial lettings and property acquisitions.

Olumide’s recent transactions include advising on the recent acquisition of a 13-story office building in Victoria Island, Lagos, advising a free zone development company in relation to securing the title to the parcel of land comprising a free trade zone situate within the Lekki Area of Lagos State and in connection with the development of template title documents in respect of leaseholds to be granted in the free trade zone. He currently supervises the team advising in connection with the acquisition of a large expanse of land at the waterfront in the prestigious Victoria Island, Lagos and development thereon of mixed-use development, comprising of 4 towers (2 mixed-use and 2 resi dential apartments in the first phase of the project), which will have ultra-modern Grade A office space, luxury residential apartments and hotels and also co-leads the team advising in connection with the acquisition by a client of a large expanse of land measuring approximately 20,000 square metres and the construction of a fully automated factory and assembly plant at a new free trade zone situate within the Lekki Area of Lagos State.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 8139841361 8139841362 813984136

oosundolire@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Olumide Osundolire stands out for his top-tier work representing clients in complex property and real estate matters.

Aniekan Ukpanah

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Aniekan Ukpana0h is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. He heads the firm’s banking & finance, project finance, and real estate teams. He advises on the structuring and financing of large-scale construction, infra structure and energy projects, the capital and money markets, and syndicated loans.He co-led the team that advised an international financial institution on a US$50,000,000.00 facility to one of the top five Nigerian banks, and advises inves tors in the gas sector, including one of the largest extractors of natural gas in the world, in relation to various Nigerian oil & gas projects. In addition to legal services, he provides client training and presents papers on security for bank lending, secured credit transactions and legal issues asso ciated with PPPs.Slightly outside of his banking and finance focus, Mr. Ukpanah acted as the team leader in a World Bank/USAID-funded project to devise a ‘road map’ to guide foreign investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Aniekan is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner for his Banking & Finance work by Chambers Global; as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Banking, Capital Markets, Project Development, and Project Finance sections of the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides); a Leading Individual for his Real Estate and Construction practice by the Legal 500 and is commended in Who’s Who Legal. Aniekan sits on the board of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, with 150+ member firms and more than 22,000 lawyers worldwide. He also chairs and serves on the boards of various private limited liability companies. He is a member of the governing council of Obong University, the first licensed private university in Akwa Ibom State.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors) Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 462 2307 / 2308 / 2309 / 2310 aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Aniekan Ukpanah is a top-tier construction and real estate lawyer, and is highlighted by commentators for his outstanding advisory work on real estate developments.

DIRECTORY

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb*

Aluko & Oyebode adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com

Adedoyin Afun Bloomfield Law Practice adedoyin.afun@bloomfield-law.com

Tosin Ajose DEALHQ tosin@dealhqpartners.com

Bolanle Olawale Babalakin SAN Babalakin & Co bob@babalakinandco.com

Woye Famojuro Famsville Solicitors woye.famojuro@famsvillesolicitors.com Elizabeth O Idigbe Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors e.idigbe@punuka.com

Fola Jaiyesimi Gavelsmiths Solicitors & Advocates fj@gavelsmithslaw.com

Olumide Osundolire* Banwo & Ighodalo oosundolire@banwo-ighodalo.com

Aniekan Ukpanah* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org

CORPORATE IMMIGRATION

This year, we recognise 13 individuals for their excellent work advising clients on the full spectrum of matters in the corporate immigration arena.

Most Highly Regarded

Adekunle Obebe Bloomfield Law Practice Lagos

At Templars, Olumide Akpata is a key player in the market who is “reputed for his corpo rate and immigration law expertise”.

Ijeoma Uju is “a standout practitioner” who is commended for her broad immigration practice assisting domestic and international clients on transactional matters.

Adekunle Obebe at Bloomfield Law Practice is “a major player in the commercial immi gration space” thanks to his extensive expe rience in regulatory matters.

Market sources commend Olamide Soetan for her encyclopaedic knowledge of employment and regulatory matters and brings a client-oriented approach to her practice.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie’s Jumoke Lambo is a highly respected name in the corporate immigration arena thanks to her negotiation skills and regulatory know-how.

Peers and clients praise Afolasade Olowe at Jackson, Etti & Edu for her notable expertise in advisory and regulatory matters.

Koye Edu is well versed in corporate relo cation and regularly represents corporations and individuals before all levels of court.

Dayo Adu from Famsville Solicitors is “highly regarded in the market” for his immigration practice and gains recognition for his expert handling of international investment in Nigeria.

The “excellent” Adekemi Sijuwade from Advocaat Law Practice has built up an impressive immigration law practice advising domestic and international clients on a broad spectrum of UK-related immigration and labour matters.

Olumide Akpata Templars Lagos

Anthony Nwaochei with The Law Crest is a well-regarded practitioner who brings deep experience and extensive knowledge of Nigerian-based immigration matters.

Oseinoma Okpeku draws widespread praise for his excellence when it comes to employment-related immigration matters.

Chris Omoruyi & Co’s Chris Omoruyi is a well-established name in the Nigerian market where he advises domestic and inter national clients on the full gamut of immigra tion matters.

Anita Ogege with Lex Primus focuses her top-notch practice on immigration and related compliance matters.

Biographies

Jumoke Lambo

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Jumoke Lambo is a Partner and heads the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (“TMT”), which also comprises the firm’s data protection practice. She co-heads the firm’s, Aviation, Employment Law, which includes the firm’s business establishment and corporate immigration practice and Corporate Advisory teams.  She also oversees Alsec Nominees Limited, the firm’s company secretarial practice, which has over 300 companies in its portfolio.  Her speciali sations include TMT, data protection and cyberse curity, foreign investment, regulatory compliance, aviation, employment law, mergers and acquisi tions and general corporate advisory.

Jumoke has over three decades of experience in telecommunications law, data protection, cyber security, aviation, employment law, immigration law and general corporate practice with an emphasis on corporate advisory, legislative drafting, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment, corporate restructuring, regulatory compliance, due diligence and capital markets.

She was a member of the consortium of inter national experts whose services were retained by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (“BPE”), to exhaustively review and modify Nigeria’s legal/ regulatory framework for its Telecommunications sector.  The team later went on to draft the compre hensive legislation for the sector, the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.  She has assisted many companies in her various areas of expertise about establishing and doing business in Nigeria. She also advises a variety of investors with the acquisitions of interests in Nigerian companies and regulatory compliance. In addition, she has assisted clients with generating employment and end of-employment documentation, negotiation and settling of employment-related contractual and trade disputes and advising on employee issues in the context of bankruptcies, company liquidations, mergers, acquisitions, divestments and restructuring.  She heads the data protection practice group which is a subset of the TMT practice group and advises widely on data protection issues.

She is noted for her data protection expertise. The firm is a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisation with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and as a result Jumoke assists many clients with their data protection compliance under the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation 2019.

Jumoke was seconded to both Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services LimitedEtisalat Nigeria (now 9 Mobile) (2009-2010), and Union Bank of Nigeria (2014-2017) to head their legal departments and to restructure the depart ments by introducing processes and structures to improve their efficiency and optimise output. These secondments also broadened her own expe rience in the legal sphere through the exposure to in-house legal work.

Jumoke has also assisted the telecom munications sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (“NCC”) and the NITDA, in their drive to develop awareness with their various stakeholders within and outside Nigeria. In this regard she has been a member of the NCC’s faculty at a training of judges on cyber security.  She has assisted the NITDA by reviewing policy document and providing input into proposed draft legislation.

Tony is the managing partner and heads the busi ness advisory practice team of The Law Crest LLP, a leading full-service law firm.Tony Is a vastly expe rienced solicitor who regularly advises on business recovery & insolvency; investments; regulatory compliance; mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructuring; and corporate governance and in the course of his work over the years has advised some of the biggest players in the Nigerian economy on some of the most significant and complex commer cial transactions.Tony was part of The Law Crest LLP’s team that recently provided legal advice to a leading multinational in the FMCG sector in connection with the sale of one of its Nigerian businesses and the restructuring of several of its other Nigerian interests involving a wide range of regulatory compliance and contractual issues.Tony is an astute insolvency and business recovery prac titioner and a Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) on whose council he sits.

Prior to the establishment of The Law Crest LLP, Tony was the company secretary and general counsel of Societe Bancaire Merchant Bankers, a Swiss/French owned banking institution, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and is registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission as a capital market solicitor.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 263 6957 jumoke.lambo@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Jumoke Lambo is a highly respected name in the corporate immigration arena thanks to her negotiation skills and regulatory know-how.

NIPOST Towers, First Floor Plot 98 Adeola Odeku Street

Lagos

Tel: +234 1 463 8398 tony@thelawcrest.com www.thelawcrest.com

WWL says: Anthony Nwaochei is a well-re garded practitioner who brings deep experience and extensive knowledge of Nigerian-based immigration matters.

Anthony Nwaochei

The Law Crest LLP

Oseinoma Okpeku

The Law Crest LLP

Oseinoma Okpeku is a partner with The Law Crest LLP where he heads the employment law, HR, and immigration practice team. After bagging his law degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. Oseinoma has a master’s degree in employment law and international labour standards and a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of South Wales.  Prior to joining The Law Crest LLP, he worked for one of the top four retailers in the United Kingdom as a senior human resource executive and head of recruitment projects. He is a PRINCE2PROJECT practitioner; a member of the CIPD and the chairman of the NBA SBL EIRC Committee of the NBA SBL. He regularly consults for multinationals, private organisations, and the government. He has led the HR integration process of significant mergers and acquisitions in the energy, finance and FMCG sectors. He is regularly engaged by multinationals to assist in reviewing their entire HR policies and procedures as well as developing functional employee engage ment frameworks. He has presented papers on employment law issues both within and outside Nigeria. He recently consulted for several state governments on the recruitment and management of Nigerian medical personnel in diaspora and regularly provides immigration advisory services for organisations, as well as for individuals seeking to take up employment or residence in Nigeria.

More recently, he has been involved in devel oping alternative work models for organisations as well as carrying out safe work audits leading to the development and implementation of poli cies addressing compulsory vaccination, bullying, harassment, accidents, etc.

Adekemi Sijuwade

Advocaat Law Practice

Adekemi Sijuwade is a partner of the firm and heads its corporate and commercial group. She is a member of both the Nigerian Bar and Lincoln’s Inn, UK. She started practising immigration law as a legal counsellor with the Immigration Advisory Service in the UK, where she acquired extensive training and experience in immigration law, frequently representing clients before the immigration adjudicators in the UK. Upon joining Advocaat in 2008, she spearheaded the creation of the immigration and labour practice and continues to expand the scope of the practice - ensuring the provision of up-to- date advice to both corporations and individuals.

DIRECTORY

NIPOST Towers, First Floor Plot 98 Adeola Odeku Street

Lagos

Tel: +234 0 809 695 5974

ose.okpeku@thelawcrest.com www.thelawcrest.com

WWL says: Oseinoma Okpeku draws wide spread praise for his excellence when it comes to employment-related immigration matters.

3rd Floor, Law Union House 14 Hughes Avenue Lagos

Tel: +234 1 475 1313 kemi.sijuwade@advocaat-law.com www.advocaat-law.com

WWL says: The "excellent" Adekemi Sijuwade has built up an impressive immi gration law practice advising domestic and international clients on a broad spectrum of UK-related immigration and labour matters.

Dayo Adu

Famsville Solicitors dayo.adu@famsvillesolicitors.com

Olumide Akpata Templars olu.akpata@templars-law.com

Koye Edu Jackson, Etti & Edu koyeedu@jacksonettiandedu.com

Jumoke Lambo* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie jumoke.lambo@uubo.org

Anthony Nwaochei* The Law Crest LLP tony@thelawcrest.com Adekunle Obebe Bloomfield Law Practice kunleobebe@bloomfield-law.com

Anita Ogege Lex Primus info@lexprimus.com Oseinoma Okpeku* The Law Crest LLP ose.okpeku@thelawcrest.com Afolasade Olowe Jackson, Etti & Edu afolasadeolowe@jacksonettiandedu.com

Chris Omoruyi

Chris Omoruyi & Co comoruyi@criscolaw.com

Adekemi Sijuwade* Advocaat Law Practice kemi.sijuwade@advocaat-law.com

Olamide Soetan Bloomfield Law Practice olamide.soetan@bloomfield-law.com

Ijeoma Uju Templars ijeoma.uju@templars-law.com

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

CORPORATE TAX

This year we shine a light on 11 outstanding lawyers who excel in advising domestic and international clients on tax regulation and litigation.

Most Highly Regarded

Theophilus I Emuwa AÉLEX Lagos

At Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Lolade Ososami has built up an impressive tax practice and comes highly recommended by peers as “a reputable legal tax advisory prac titioner” who “is well known in the Nigerian market”.

Dan Agbor is a standout name when it comes to tax matters involving cross-border M&A.

With LeLaw Barristers & Solicitors, Afolabi Elebiju is an accomplished practitioner who regularly assists corporations of all sizes in tax regulation and litigation.

Chinyerugo Ugoji from AÉLEX receives plaudits for his top-tier work on corpo rate tax matters relating to complex M&A transactions.

Theophilus Emuwa is singled out by peers and clients alike as “a leader in Nigeria for his tax advisory work”.

The “excellent” Chukwudi Ofili with Detail Commercial Solicitors is highlighted by peers as “the go-to tax specialist” thanks to his extensive regulatory knowledge.

Peers and clients say Olaleye Adebiyi from Andersen Tax & Legal is “one of the leaders in Nigeria for his tax practice” with over 30 years of experience.

Afolabi Caxton-Martins at Dentons ACAS-Law is an outstanding practitioner with a wealth of experience advising individuals and corporations on all tax-related matters.

Maxwell Ukpebor with MAS Tax and Legal is held in high esteem for his deep knowledge and expertise advising clients in tax litigation.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom from Aluko & Oyebode receives extensive praise for his top-tier advice on high-value tax-related claims, with significant expertise in the oil and gas sector.

From Ikeyi Shittu & Co, Nduka Ikeyi holds over 25 years’ experience in the corporate tax arena and comes highly regarded among peers and clients alike for his “excellent communication skills” and “attention to detail”.

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.

He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establishment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transac tions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guar antees. He serves on the boards of various compa nies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

Theophilus I Emuwa AÉLEX

Theo is widely acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s leading tax lawyers. His tax advisory profile spans across all types of income taxes as well as capital gains tax, and indirect taxes such as VAT, sales tax, customs and excise duties, and stamp duty.

He was for several years the chair of the tax committee of the section on business law of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is a member of the taxation section of the IBA, and is currently the vice chair of the International Fiscal Association, Nigeria.

A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Theo served as the vice chair of the tax law review committee of the institute. Also, he contributed the chapter on International Taxation in the first edition of CITN Nigerian Tax Guides and Statutes. He was formerly the deputy editor of the Nigerian Tax Notes.

Theo is admitted to practise law in England and Wales, Nigeria and Ghana.

He holds both a BSc (1979) and an MSc (1980) in engineering from Imperial College London, and is a member of Gray’s Inn, London.

Nduka Ikeyi Ikeyi Shittu & Co

Nduka is a partner in Ikeyi Shittu & Co. He special ises in representing indigenous and multinational clients on an extensive range of regulatory, trans actional and tax-related matters.

He has over 30 years’ combined experience in teaching, research, litigation, commercial and corporate legal advisory services, tax practice, public sector administration and public-sector consultancy. He has provided tax advisory support on various high-profile transactions and projects.

Nduka has published several articles in local and international journals on commercial and business law, especially in the areas of taxation, arbitration, corporate governance, foreign invest ment regulation and technology transfer. He is also engaged as speaker at various seminars and training workshops.

A graduate of the University of Nigeria (1990) where he won the academic prize for the best grad uating student in the Faculty of Law (among other academic prizes), Nduka also holds an LLM degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1994) with a focus on international busi ness transactions, international economic law and foreign trade and investment law. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; and an honorary fellow of the Association of Fellows and Legal Scholars at the Centre for International Legal Studies in Austria.

Nduka served as the attorney general and commissioner for justice in Enugu State of Nigeria from July 2007 to May 2011.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Dan Agbor is a standout name when it comes to tax matters involving cross-border M&A.

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 279 3365 tiemuwa@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Theophilus Emuwa is singled out by peers and clients alike as “a leader in Nigeria for his tax advisory work”.

1st floor, 21 Boyle Street, Onikan Lagos Tel: +234 1 632 3430-1 nikeyi@ikeyishittuco.com https://isc.ng/

WWL says: Nduka Ikeyi holds over 30 years’ experience in the corporate tax arena and comes highly regarded among peers and clients alike for his “excellent communica tion skills” and “attention to detail”.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom FCTI Aluko & Oyebode

Chukwuka Ikwuazom is a partner in the disputes practice of Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s taxation practice.

Chukwuka has considerable tax advisory and adjudicatory experience. He renders ongoing tax advice to the firm’s clients, particularly in the oil and gas sector. He manages the firm’s tax litigation portfolio, which includes several appeals before the Tax Appeal Tribunal and other superior courts in Nigeria. He has won landmark tax cases including judgments on the deductibility of interest paid on related party loans, the proper application of the claw-back provisions of the Nigerian Petroleum Profits Tax Act, the exemption from tax of the profits of a company engaged in educational activities of a public character and the taxation of a non-resident company in Nigeria. He is leading the team that is defending an international oil trading company in one of the largest tax claims in Nigeria. The value of the claim is US$ 648,536,470.40.

Chukwuka was a key member of the team that acted (as co-counsel) with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in an ad-hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration in respect of a dispute arising from a deep offshore Production Sharing Contract. The arbitration involved signif icant tax issues.

Chukwuka is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Chukwuka was elected the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch in July 2017 for a two-year term. He is also a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).

Chukwuka was educated at the University of Nigeria (LLB) and Columbia University, New York (LLM). He is admitted to both the Nigerian and the New York State Bars.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 3037 chukwuka.ikwuazom@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Chukwuka Ikwuazom receives extensive praise for his top-tier advice on high-value tax-related claims, with signifi cant expertise in the oil and gas sector.

Lolade Ososami

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Lolade Ososami is a Partner at Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie and heads the firm’s taxation and mining and metals teams.

Lolade is an expert in the legal and regula tory framework for international investment in Nigeria and advises on diverse domestic and crossborder commercial transactions across various sectors. She is greatly renowned for her advice on tax aspects of diverse commercial transactions including transfer pricing, exchange of information reporting obligations, and tax regimes applicable to the extractive industry and renewable energy projects including bio-fuels. Lolade’s expertise contributes to the success of the firm’s tax contro versy practice which has successfully obtained a landmark ruling relating the tax appeals process in Nigeria.

Her clients include foreign direct and port folio investors, international financial institutions including DFIs, tech giants, conglomerates, small and medium enterprises, tech start-ups and highnet-worth individuals.

Resting on her dexterity in the field of mining and natural resources, Lolade has advised on transactions relating to mineral rights acquisi tions, mineral exploration of ferrous and other base metals including iron ore and cobalt, and mine development projects in Nigeria. She contributes to the Mining in Africa Legal Database, an online resource for investors, financiers and developers in mining. She has contributed to policy reforms in the extractive industry, especially from a fiscal perspective. She was a member of the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Management Syndicate of the Legislative Framework for Petroleum Industry Reform, organised by the House of Representatives of the National Assembly.

As part of her thought leadership, Lolade has authored several articles on taxation and is a contributor to the Transfer Pricing Law Review and regularly facilitates workshops and knowl edge-sharing events on taxation and compliance.

Lolade is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; the Chairman of the Taxation Committee of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association; a member of the Tax Committee of the International Bar Association and a member of the International Fiscal Association.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7684

lolade.ososami@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Lolade Ososame has built up an impressive tax practice and comes highly recommended by peers as “a reputable legal tax advisory practitioner” who “is well known in the Nigerian market”.

Chinyerugo Ugoji AÉLEX

Chinyerugo is a partner in AÉLEX’s corporate and commercial practice group, focusing on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and tax.

Chinyerugo advises on share and asset acquisitions and divestments; joint ventures; corporate restructuring transactions; and tax-ef ficient structures. He has acted for a wide range of clients, including private equity firms and large multinationals.

He recently led the team that advised a leading private equity firm on the Nigeria aspect of its take over of the management of the existing assets of a US$1 billion health fund. He advised The CocaCola Company on its acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in CHI Limited, a leading dairy and juice brand in Nigeria. He also recently advised one of the pioneer payments company in Nigeria, with operations across Africa, on its corporate reorgan isation.He has advised extensively on a broad range of Nigerian tax issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, and other commercial transactions.

Chinyerugo authored the Nigeria chapter of the International Bar Association’s corporate and M&A law committee’s squeeze-out guides. He is a past member of the executive committee of the Capital Markets Solicitors of Nigeria, and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He is currently ranked as a “next-generation partner” by The Legal 500.

DIRECTORY

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7321 3 cugoji@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Chinyerugo Ugoji receives plaudits for his top-tier work on corpo rate tax matters relating to complex M&A transactions.

Olaleye Adebiyi

Andersen Tax & Legal olaleye.adebiyi@andersentaxlegal.ng Dan Agbor* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Afolabi Caxton-Martins Dentons ACAS-Law acaxton-martins@acas-law.com

Afolabi Elebiju LeLaw Barristers & Solicitors a.elebiju@lelawlegal.com

Theophilus I Emuwa* AÉLEX tiemuwa@aelex.com

Nduka Ikeyi* Ikeyi Shittu & Co nikeyi@ikeyishittuco.com Chukwuka Ikwuazom FCTI* Aluko & Oyebode chukwuka.ikwuazom@aluko-oyebode.com Chukwudi Ofili Detail Commercial Solicitors chukwudi@detailsolicitors.com

Lolade Ososami*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie lolade.ososami@uubo.org Chinyerugo Ugoji* AÉLEX cugoji@aelex.com

Maxwell Ukpebor MAS Tax and Legal maxwell.ukpebor@mastaxandlegalservices. com

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

DATAHere we highlight 10 leading individuals who are renowned for their practice spanning all aspects of data law, including privacy, litigation, and transactions.

Obafemi Agaba at Jackson, Etti & Edu earns widespread endorsements for his extensive experience in data protection, trademarks, and litigation.

At Aboyade, Funke Aboyade SAN is cele brated for her profound expertise advising clients on a range of data-related issues.

Otome Augoye Okolo at Streamsowers & Köhn is a highly regarded practitioner with an impeccable knowledge of international data protection law.

Theophilus Emuwa from AÉLEX is a standout figure in the data market, widely recognised for his in-depth knowledge on the full spec trum of transactional matters.

Anthony Idigbe SAN with Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors holds over 35 years’ experience in the market and is recognised as a distin guished data law practitioner handling a wide range of disputes.

At Aluko & Oyebode, Sumbo Akintola possesses a profound understanding of data protection law and regularly advises local and international clients on high-value transac tions in the TMT sector.

Founding partner Osayaba Giwa-Osagie from Giwa-Osagie & Company is well respected in the market for his experience representing Nigerian and international clients, particu larly from the oil and gas sector.

Akin Onigbinde at AOC Solicitors is a leading lawyer with a stellar reputation in the data arena and is singled out for his expertise in the telecoms sector.

Olufemi Tesilim Sunmonu with Aliant focuses his well-established practice on a wide range of telecoms matters, from foreign investment to regulatory issues.

Paul Usoro SAN, FCIArb from Paul Usoro & Co is a distinguished practitioner with a wealth of experience advising clients on complex telecoms-related transactions.

Obafemi Agaba

Jackson, Etti & Edu

Obafemi Agaba is a Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu; a leading pan-African full-service commercial law firm with a sector focus. Obafemi heads the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group of the Firm where he doubles as the Head of the Brand Protection & Anti-Counterfeiting team and the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sector of the Firm.

He is an expert in diverse areas of complex brand protection, Labour and Employment disputes, Criminal Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and anti-counterfeiting campaigns including IP litigation. He has successfully repre sented several local and multi-national clients in the above areas and won several litigation cases thus dictating the pace in fundamental principles in the Nigerian legal jurisprudence.

Obafemi is currently the President of the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association of Nigeria (IPLAN). He has attended and facilitated several local and international conferences and work shops, including those organized by International Trademarks Association (INTA), Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration, International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Nigerian Customs Service, amongst others. He is presently a member of the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of INTA and was responsible for drafting the legal framework for the actualization of the recommendations of the Lagos State Governor’s Committee for the reforms of the entertainment industry in Lagos State, Nigeria. He chairs the Middle East, Africa and South Asia Legislation and Regulation Sub-committee for 2022-2023 at INTA. He has been ranked by several reputable organi sations like Chambers, Managing IP, Who’s Who Legal, e.t.c for his outstanding expertise.

Education: University College London (University of London) – LL.M IP with a stint in Corporate Insolvency & Restructure; King’s College London (University of London) – PG.DIP in UK, EC & US Copyright Law; Nigerian Law School –B.L; Lagos State University – LL.B; Professional Memberships; Nigerian Bar Association; International Trademark Association (INTA); and Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (ACC)

Sumbo Akintola Aluko & Oyebode

Sumbo is a partner in Aluko and Oyebode, one of the topmost law firms in Nigeria, where she heads the (i) Technology, Media, Entertainment and Telecommunications team and the (ii) Governance, Compliance, and Investigations team. She has over 30 years of experience in corporate practice and is a key member of Aluko & Oyebode’s Project and Infrastructure Finance team, where she has on several occasions been Lead advisor on high value local and cross border transactions.

Sumbo represents top-tier United States, Middle East, Asian multinationals, and local tech nology companies, providing ongoing support in respect of varied and fast-evolving products and service offerings in Nigeria and across Africa. It is noteworthy that there has been an upsurge in the space during the pandemic, in terms of dynamic products and more high demand for legal and regulatory advisory support. Sumbo has received numerous recognitions locally and internationally; her team was also named Telecommunications Team of the Year at the ESQ Nigeria Legal Awards in 2016 and has been nominated in relevant cate gories through the years. She has been described by Who’s Who Legal as a “First class lawyer”, “a notable practitioner” and “a prominent figure” in the Nigerian TMT market.

She constantly collaborates with several law firms across the globe and was key personnel in the formative years of Bond Bank Limited (now Polaris Bank Limited).

Sumbo currently represents the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Developments Office (FCDO) on the Board of Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), a financial sector development organization that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria. Sumbo also sits on the Board of Chapel Hill Denham, an African leading independent Investment Bank, as an independent Non-Executive Director.

3-5 Sinari Daranijo Street Victoria Island Lagos, 101241 Tel: +234 1 291 5427 obafemiagaba@jacksonettiandedu.com www.jee.africa

WWL says: Obafemi Agaba earns widespread endorsements for his extensive experience in data protection, trademarks, and litigation.

Sumbo Akintola (cont.)

She is a member of several national and international associations such as the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, and the Franco – Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Theophilus I Emuwa AÉLEX

Theo is widely acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s leading tax lawyers. His tax advisory profile spans across all types of income taxes as well as capital gains tax, and indirect taxes such as VAT, sales tax, customs and excise duties, and stamp duty.

He was for several years the chair of the tax committee of the section on business law of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is a member of the taxation section of the IBA, and is currently the vice chair of the International Fiscal Association, Nigeria.

A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Theo served as the vice chair of the tax law review committee of the institute. Also, he contributed the chapter on International Taxation in the first edition of CITN Nigerian Tax Guides and Statutes. He was formerly the deputy editor of the Nigerian Tax Notes.

Theo is admitted to practise law in England and Wales, Nigeria and Ghana.

He holds both a BSc (1979) and an MSc (1980) in engineering from Imperial College London, and is a member of Gray’s Inn, London.

Anthony Idigbe SAN Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors

Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe is the Senior Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is also involved with consultancy, business and human capital development through its Canadian affil iate, PUNUKA Consulting Inc. He has 39 years of experience in insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute resolution, privatization, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, etc., and has advised clients on several complex transactions. He was licensed to practice law in Nigeria in 1983, appointed Notary Public in 1989 and elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000. He was licensed to practice law in Ontario, Canada, in June 2016. He holds a doctoral degree in crossborder insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His dissertation was on the role of INSOL International in global norm making with the 1997 UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency as the case study.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a fellow of INSOL International; the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London; the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and the International Bar Association (IBA). In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN); London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria (ICCN); Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD) and International Insolvency Institute (III).

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233

Tel: +234 803 403 5122

sumbo.akintola@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Sumbo Akintola possesses a profound understanding of data protection law and regularly advises local and interna tional clients on high-value transactions in the TMT sector.

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 279 3365 tiemuwa@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Theophilus Emuwa is a standout figure in the data market, widely recognised for his in-depth knowledge on the full spec trum of transactional matters.

whoswholegal.com

Anthony has been involved in several Aviation matters and has advised Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Ministry of Aviation as well as BPE on aviation issues including priva tisation issues and disputes arising from setting up of national airline. He was Counsel to Sosoliso Airline in respect of the actions instituted against the company in relation to plane crash involving a Sosoliso aircraft. Anthony is also the retained solic itor of Allied Air, has represented the company on several dispute resolution matters, and advised on vast areas of laws including labour issues amongst others. He advises the Regulator, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on various issues and assisted in defining the regulatory framework for the aviation sector. He also represents FAAN in several cases instituted against them in Court.On Marine transport, Anthony has conducted arbi tration on charter party agreements and advised the National Maritime Authority (NMA), the prede cessor of NIMASA.For a full view of his profile, check https://www.anthonyidigbe.com/

DIRECTORY

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Funke Aboyade SAN Aboyade info@aboyade.com

Obafemi Agaba* Jackson, Etti & Edu obafemiagaba@jacksonettiandedu.com

Sumbo Akintola* Aluko & Oyebode sumbo.akintola@aluko-oyebode.com

Otome Augoye Okolo Streamsowers & Köhn otome@sskohn.com

Theophilus I Emuwa* AÉLEX tiemuwa@aelex.com Osayaba Giwa-Osagie Giwa-Osagie & Company osayaba@giwa-osagie.com

Anthony Idigbe SAN* Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors a.idigbe@punuka.com

Akin Onigbinde AOC Solicitors akin.onigbinde@aoclegal.com Olufemi Tesilim Sunmonu Aliant fsunmonu@aliantlaw.com

Paul Usoro SAN, FCIArb Paul Usoro & Co paul@paulusoro.com

Plot 45 Oyibo Adjarho Street Off Ayinde Akinmade Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 270 4789 a.idigbe@punuka.com www.punuka.com

WWL says: Anthony Idigbe SAN holds over 35 years’ experience in the market and is recognised as a distinguished data law prac titioner handling a wide range of disputes.

ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES & MINING

This chapter highlights 49 distinguished practitioners in the energy, natural resources and mining market for their skill and experience in assisting clients in a range of complex disputes and transactional matters.

Most Highly Regarded

Lagos

Aluko & Oyebode earns five listings in this chapter.

Gbenga Oyebode is a leading name in the Nigerian market thanks to his outstanding advisory work on oil and gas transactions.

Oghogho Makinde is a well-established practitioner in the Nigerian market thanks to her stellar advisory work on complex oil and gas disputes.

Reginald Udom receives widespread acclaim thanks to his extensive experience in financing work within the Nigerian energy industry.

Olubunmi Fayokun is singled out as “a specialist in the Nigerian jurisdiction” when it comes to transactions in the energy and natural resources sectors.

Babatunde Fagbohunlu draws accolades as a market-leading practitioner who excels in oil and gas-related litigation.a

AÉLEX excels with four practitioners high lighted here.

Soji Awogbade is widely endorsed for his experience acting across the full gamut of domestic and international environmental matters and energy transactions.

Olusina Sipasi is a top name in the Nigerian market with a fantastic track-re cord advising multinational oil companies in intricate disputes.

Lawrence Fubara Anga is renowned for his notable experience advising on a broad range of domestic and cross-border ener gy-related matters.

Funke Adekoya wins praise for her exten sive experience handling a wide range of high-value energy disputes.

Banwo & Ighodalo impresses with three indi viduals listed.

Ken Etim is looked upon with enormous favour by market observers who single him out as a first-rate practitioner thanks to his significant experience negotiating energy transactions.

Stella Duru is recognised as a go-to lawyer in the Nigerian market where she is frequently sought after for her first-rate work on oil and gas transactions.

Kehinde Ojuawo is highlighted as a firstrate lawyer, recognised for his vast experi ence advising corporate clients on complex oil and gas matters.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie achieves three listings in this chapter.

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a distin guished practitioner who wins praise from market commentators for his specialist work on oil and gas matters.

Uzoma Azikiwe SAN is highly regarded across the market for his advisory practice which sees him regularly work with clients on oil, gas and other energy matters.

Dan Agbor stands out in the Nigerian market for his outstanding work in the energy field, with particular expertise in electricity-related matters.

Sola Adepetun of Dentons ACAS-Law sits among the world’s foremost energy lawyers, highly recommended for his expertise in oil and gas matters.

Felicia Kemi Segun garners consider able praise among peers who endorse her specialist experience handling mergers of multinational oil and energy compa nies.

ENR Advisory’s Gbite Adeniji is commended for his thorough knowledge and in-depth understanding of complex regulatory issues in the natural resources and energy market.

Ayodele Oni of Bloomfield Law Practice is a clear leader in the field thanks to his outstanding track record on energy transactions.

Ola Alokolaro of Advocaat Law Practice is singled out by peers as a market leader in the oil, gas, electricity and solid minerals sectors, where he is regularly engaged in advisory work with major multinational clients.

Bayo Adaralegbe from Babalakin & Co is a distinguished practitioner who is lauded by peers for his “very knowledgeable and passionate” practice in the energy sector.

Anthony Idigbe at Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors is highly regarded in the Nigerian market as “a wonderful and brilliant practi tioner” who is frequently engaged in oil and gas litigation.

The Law Crest’s Tobenna Erojikwe ranks highly among peers thanks to his “sound knowledge of the energy industry, ability to work to tight deadlines and excellent commu nication skills”.

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri (SAN) with Jackson, Etti & Edu is a well-established name in the Nigerian market who maintains a top-tier practice handling a range of energy and power disputes.

Gbite Adeniji ENR Advisory Lagos

Ken Etim

Banwo & Ighodalo Lagos

Sola Adepetun Dentons ACAS-Law Lagos

Felicia Kemi Segun Dentons ACAS-Law Lagos

Soji Awogbade AÉLEX

Bayo Adaralegbe

Babalakin & Co

Dr Bayo Adaralegbe is partner and head of the energy group at Babalakin & Co. He has an LLB from the University of Ife; an LLM (with distinction) in petroleum law and policy, and a PhD in inter national investment law, both from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy at Dundee University. He is a fellow of the UK Energy Institute, the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the UK Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (as well as a chartered secretary); and a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), the IBA section on energy, environment, natural resources, the Nigerian Bar Association and the US Institute of Energy Law.

Before becoming a partner at Babalakin & Co, Bayo was a company secretary/legal adviser in a bank. He was appointed notary public by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and is listed as solicitor by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to carry on legal services in the capital market.

Bayo’s diverse academic qualifications, professional training and background allow him to be uniquely engaged in regulation and policy, corporate transactions and dispute settlement in relation to the Nigerian oil and gas sector. He has advised the House of Representatives on the legal and policy aspects of the Petroleum Industry Bill and is currently advising the Nigerian Content Development Board and the House of Representatives on the amendment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act. He has also advised on various aspects of investments, acqui sitions, divestments and operations in the Nigerian upstream sector and has been involved in complex litigation and arbitration either as sole or co-arbi trator; lead or co-counsel.

Bayo serves on the board of several oil and gas bodies. He is vice chairman of the Energy Institute (Nigerian branch) and on the advisory council of Lagos Oil Club, among several others. He is also on the governing council of the University of Lagos as a representative of the federal government.

Bayo is a highly sought-after speaker at confer ences and workshops and his workshop delegates have included Nigerian judicial officers, lawyers and industry professionals. He has published arti cles in various leading international journals such as World Energy Law and Business (a joint publi cation of Oxford University Press and AIPN); the Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law (IBA); the International Energy Law Review Journal (Sweet & Maxwell); The Arbitrator (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK) and the Journal of World Investment & Trade 43A, Churchgate Street 9th - 11th Floors

Lagos Tel: +234 127 187 00 agadaralegbe@babalakinandco.com www.babalakinandco.com

WWL says: Bayo Adaralegbe is a distinguished practitioner who is lauded by peers for his “very knowledgeable and passionate” practice in the energy sector.

Funke Adekoya SAN AÉLEX

‘Funke Adekoya heads the arbitration practice group at AELEX. AELEX is a full-service law firm with offices in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja in Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana.

With 45 years’ experience in commercial dispute resolution, she is frequently appointed to arbitral tribunals, either as sole or party-ap pointed arbitrator conducting proceedings under the rules of the ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL and LMAA. Arbitrations in which she has been involved range from disputes arising from gas sales agreements, oil rig supply contracts to joint ventures in construc tion and real estate.

Her recent appointments have been in disputes brought under the ambit of either a BIT or an invest ment agreement. She was most recently appointed by the State party as arbitrator in an investment dispute between the purchasers of a monopoly electricity producer and the State in one case and in another case, the dispute was between an investor alleging breach of a mining contract by a State and the subsequent cancellation of the investor’s mining licence.

She also advises clients on award enforcement issues within Nigeria and leads the counsel team in arbitration-related litigation. Funke is a fellow and has achieved chartered arbitrator status at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London and has served as the chair of its Nigerian branch. She was a founding board member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and a former member and a past vice president of the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

Her other memberships include the London Court of International Arbitration African Users Council and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration where she sits on the board of Trustees. She is also a member and past vice president of the governing board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, in addition to being a member of the African Users Council of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. She is a member of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa’s International Arbitration Rules Drafting Committee’s Advisory Board and the International Appointments Committee of the Scottish Arbitration Centre.

Funke Adekoya SAN (cont.)

Funke is listed on various panels, including the ICSID chairman’s panel of arbitrators; those of CIETAC, the Kigali International Arbitration Centre, the Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and the panel of neutrals of both the Lagos Multi-Door Court House and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

She has been invited to conduct arbitra tion training courses in Accra, Ghana and Kigali, Rwanda and is a regular speaker on arbitration law and practice both within and outside Nigeria.

She holds both Nigerian and British nationality and in addition to her being called to the Nigerian bar, she is qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales. She also holds an LLM from the Harvard Law School (1977) and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2001.

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establish ment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transactions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guarantees. He serves on the boards of various companies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

Ola Alokolaro is a partner and head of the energy and infrastructure group at Advocaat Law Practice. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association (SERRIL), the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and the Nigerian Gas Association.

He is well versed in Nigeria’s oil, gas, elec tricity and solid minerals law. He advises several oil exploration and production companies, oil service contractors, mining companies, independent power producers, banks and other financial institutions, high-net-worth clients, and state and federal governments and their agencies on a wide range of assignments.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901

Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7321 oadekoya@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Funke Adekoya wins praise for her extensive experience handling a wide range of high-value energy disputes.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors) Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Dan Agbor stands out in the Nigerian market for his outstanding work in the energy field, with particular expertise in electricity-related matters.

3rd Floor, Law Union House 14 Hughes Avenue Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4531004, 4547932

ola.alokolaro@advocaat-law.com www.advocaat-law.com

WWL says: Ola Alokolaro is singled out by peers as a market leader in the oil, gas, elec tricity and solid minerals sectors, where he is regularly engaged in advisory work with major multinational clients.

Ola Alokolaro Advocaat Law Practice

Soji Awogbade

AÉLEX

Soji is partner and lead of the international trade practice group of AÉLEX.

He is an energy and transactions lawyer with over 40 years of legal practice in many sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He specialises in energy transactions and advisory work and advises clients on oil and gas, environmental, power and infrastructure, project finance and company law.

Soji is the founding president of the Nigerian Environmental Law Society and the past chairman of the energy and environment sub-committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s section on business law as well as past chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association’s section on business law agriculture committee.

He is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and the International Bar Association (IBA).

Since taking an interest in international trade, he has participated in the formulation of Nigeria’s trade policy and has been a resource person on committees and conferences on trade.

Soji is also a frequent speaker at domestic and international seminars on energy, including renew able energy, natural resources and environmental issues.

He is a Global Elite Thought Leader in the energy category of Who’s Who Legal and he has been consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in energy and natural resources by highly respected stables, including Chambers Global and IFLR1000. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute.

Uzoma Azikiwe

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is a partner and the head of UUBO’s Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Uzoma was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England on 14th December 2020.

With over 34 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, arbitrator, mediator and conciliator, Uzoma provides advice in maritime, aviation, employment and energy matters. His specialisa tions include advising multinationals on oil, gas and environmental matters, the provision, manning and maintenance of vessels, cabotage issues, tele communications, construction, administrative and constitutional law.

He trained as an International Commercial Arbitrator with several Nigerian and interna tional arbitration organisations including the ICC Institute of World Business Law, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigeria), and Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliation. He obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration at St Anne’s College, Oxford, United Kingdom and has benefitted from PIDA training in International Commercial Arbitration, PIDA training in International Commercial Contracts and training by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He has published articles on commercial law including “The Doctrine of Undisclosed Agency Revisited”, environmental law and arbitration. He presents papers at and conducts seminars for various major service companies in the oil industry in Nigeria on employment and labour matters.

To the extent that can be disclosed, the following are some of the matters that Uzoma has recently worked on:

He led the team and defended Statoil in a USD 230 million Supreme Court claim, where the Supreme Court, in allowing the appeal, dismissed the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He advises General Electric in a USD 19 million Federal High Court case, which has thrown up several interesting legal issues and has given rise to one Supreme Court decision and four Court of Appeal judgments which have enriched Nigerian jurisprudence.

He was an arbitrator in a dispute between Habila Resources Limited and Daewoo Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract for the dredging of Cawthorne Channels 2 & 3 Flow Stations, Awoba Flow Station and Krakrama Flow Station.

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: 0810 000 0456 sawogbade@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Soji Awogbade is widely endorsed for his experience acting across the full gamut of domestic and interna tional environmental matters and energy transactions.

Uzoma makes presentations, presents depo sitions and gives evidence as a legal expert on Nigerian law before various foreign courts. Most recently, he appeared in this capacity before the High Court of Justice in England (in the 2009 case of Dornoch Limited & Others -v- Westminster International BV & Others) and presented a depo sition on Nigerian law in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, USA in the case of Harry A. Akande –v- TransAmerica Airlines Inc & Others. Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is the Lead Counsel in providing legal advisory services to and representa tion of British Airways in Nigeria.3

He recently defended (successfully) a foremost Accounting, Auditing, Consulting and a Financial Services firm in an ad- hoc arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

He recently represented a German multina tional oil and gas drilling company in an arbitration under the ICC Rules Case No. 22243/TO in respect of a claim against a Nigerian oil and gas company for the recovery of unpaid invoices of over US$20 Million in connection with a drilling contract.

He recently advised an international telecom munications giant on sundry Nigerian law issues that arose in several enforcements and set aside litigation in various Nigerian courts in relation to an UNCITRAL arbitral award.

Uzoma Azikiwe (cont.)

He advised a Swiss oil and gas trading company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with a Lagos seated ad- hoc arbitration proceedings in relation to a jetty utilisation agreement.

Stella is a partner in Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I)’s energy & natural resources practice group. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001; she joined B&I shortly afterwards and was admitted into the firm’s partnership in 2012. She is a consummate professional with excellent mastery of the entire value chain of energy projects and almost twenty (20) years of cognate experience advising on a broad range of transactions including power, infrastructure, project finance, oil & gas, mergers & acquisitions and corporate commercial transactions within the energy sector.

Stella has deep experience in oil, gas and power projects in Nigeria and has indeed been involved in World Bank sponsored work streams advising on the power sector reforms in Nigeria. Stella was actively involved in several of the power privatization transactions, and presently leads multiple teams advising on several transactions within the power sector, including infrastruc ture projects in the generation and distribution segments of the Nigerian Electricity Supply.

Stella continues to advise on transactions along the entire value chain of generation, trans mission and distribution; as well as on deals pertaining to IPPs, off-grid and on-grid solutions to the power deficit in Nigeria. She is very passionate about monetizing and utilizing Nigeria’s natural gas resources in order to get Nigeria powered up.

Stella leads the team advising the acquisition of interest in a large Power Project from an unin corporated joint venture. She is also leading the team advising the on the privatization of one of the electricity generation companies in Nigeria.

Stella authors articles in leading law publica tions as well as a key resource person for contin uing legal education for young and aspiring lawyers. She is continually invited as a speaker at different conferences and seminars in Nigeria and interna tionally, including conferences held at the prestig ious Harvard Business School in Boston and Power Africa in South Africa.

Stella is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association (Section on energy and natural resources Law) and Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.

Stella is also an associate of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (a leadership development not-for-profit, affiliated with the Aspen Institute) as well as an associate “WimBiz” (An association of Women in Management, Business & Public Service). Stella is a non-executive director on the board of Zedcrest Capital Group, which is a capital management firm. She is also a non-executive director on the boards of Zimvest Limited and RexelPay (both subsidiaries of Zedcrest Capital). She was recently appointed as a member of the Council of the Section of Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 277 4920 / 2719811 / 2719812 / 1 2774921

uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Uzoma Azikiwe SAN is highly regarded across the market for his advisory practice which sees him regularly work with clients on oil, gas and other energy matters.

Additionally, Stella leads the team advising a group of investors in a notable Free Trade Zone in Nigeria in connection with the establishment of a forty thousand (40,000) barrels per day hydro skimming plant and refinery. Similarly, Stella leads the team advising a gas utilization company in connection with the conceptualization, structuring, construction and operation of a Gas Processing Plant.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +23412520795 / 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841

sduru@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Stella Duru is recognised as a go-to lawyer in the Nigerian market where she is frequently sought after for her first-rate work on oil and gas transactions.

Stella Duru Banwo & Ighodalo

Folake Elias-Adebowale

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s M&A, private equity, and oil and gas teams. Her specialisations include cross-border and domestic equity and asset acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructuring, investments, financing for energy, manufacturing, and industrial projects, and compliance across diverse sectors.

She serves on the legal committees of the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association of Nigeria, where she is also a founding board member and participates in the PEVCA-SEC sub-committee reviewing private equity regu lations in Nigeria. She has also been a member of the GPCA and AVCA legal committees. She headed a legal and regulatory sub-committee of the Federal Minister for Industry Trade and Investment’s Nigerian Private Equity and Venture Capital Development project established to make recommendations for boosting private equity and venture capital activity in Nigeria. Her regulatory review and advocacy practice have also included assisting with the review of, and preparation of draft legislation for the downstream gas sector. She is recognised as an IFLR1000 Women Leader 2022 and commended by The Lawyer’s Africa Elite Private Equity special report. She is ranked for her practice area specialisations by The IFLR1000, Chambers Global, Chambers Global (Fintech), The Legal500, Who’s Who Legal (Global M&A & Governance), and Who’s Who Legal (Nigeria) and is named as one of twenty outstanding Nigerian women in business law by BusinessDay.

Tobenna Erojikwe

The Law Crest LLP

Tobenna is a partner at The Law Crest LLP, heading the firm’s finance and energy practice group. He is admitted to practise law in Nigeria, and in England and Wales, and has had significant practice expe rience in both jurisdictions. He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and holds an LLM in corporate finance law from the University of Westminster.

Tobenna’s core areas of practice are energy and natural resources; corporate finance; project finance; public-private partnerships; and mergers and acquisitions. He has been involved in most of the firm’s energy and natural resources trans actions. Recent transactions in this area include advising the borrower in a US$450 million financing in respect of a participating interest in an oil mining lease. He led the team that acted for an acquirer in a ground breaking US$600 million restructuring and acquisition of a major oil and gas company in Nigeria where the team acted for the acquirer in the acquisition of a major oil servicing company as part of an offshore takeover of the parent company and the restructuring of existing debt. This transaction won the team an IFLR1000 award as the restruc turing deal of the year 2020 in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He is also leading the team representing an international oil and gas company in its US$600 million mezzanine project finance for the explora tion, development and sales of crude oil from an oil mining lease.

Tobenna has also done significant work in project finance and public private partnerships in Nigeria and worked on various significant finance and public private partnership initiatives when he worked as Senior Solicitor-Regeneration with the London Borough of Barnet responsible for commercial aspects of the Borough’s Urban Regeneration Projects.Tobenna has, in the course of his career, facilitated training courses accredited by the Law Society of England and Wales, which focus on infrastructure development and urban law. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is also a member of Nigeria’s National Judicial Council.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 4622307 10 folake.adebowale@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Folake Elias-Adebowale is a distinguished practitioner who wins praise from market commentators for his specialist work on oil and gas matters.

NIPOST Towers, First Floor Plot 98 Adeola Odeku Street

Lagos

Tel: + 234 809 659 5974

tobenna.erojikwe@thelawcrest.com www.thelawcrest.com

WWL says: Tobenna Erojikwe ranks highly among peers thanks to his “sound knowledge of the energy industry, ability to work to tight deadlines and excellent communication skills”.

Ken Etim Banwo & Ighodalo

Ken is the Managing Partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading first-class multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Ken obtained his law degree from the University of Uyo, and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991.

Ken is a consummate lawyer with significant experience in advising on all areas and aspects of energy and natural resources for over 29 years. His expertise spans conceptualisation, structuring, development and financing of projects, which in many instances define the industry.

Ken also plays a notable role in advising diverse stakeholders within the Nigerian electricity supply industry. Historically, he advised the government and regulators on the privatization of the elec tricity sector and continues to advise regulators and investors on evolving transaction options for viability of the electricity value chain.

Ken led the team that advised a syndicate of international banks, global investment funds, and financial institutions, including Standard Chartered Bank, ABSA Bank Limited and the African Export-Import Bank in connection with the US$1,100,000,000 facility advanced to TNOG Oil and Gas Limited and TNOG Pipelines Limited (affiliates of Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Plc), for the acquisition of a 45% participating interest in Nigerian oil license OML 17 from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, and NAOC Ltd - Nigerian Agip Oil Company. The transaction is one of the largest oil and gas acquisitions to take place in Africa in the last decade.

Presently, Ken leads the team advising MRS Oil Nigeria Plc. on the US$300,000,000 financing of the acquisition of Chevron Nigeria Limited’s participating interests in OML 86 and OML 88 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”).

Ken leads the team advising the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) and its affiliates on the regulatory and commercial frame work for gas commercialisation and utilization. He also leads the team advising Dangote Fertiliser Limited in connection with the negotiation of gas supply contracts for the operation of a two-train urea and ammonia fertiliser plant in Lagos State.

Additionally, Ken leads the team advising Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum in connection with the devel opment of gas infrastructure and implementation of a gas swap arrangement to enhance gas supply to offtakers within the domestic and continental gas markets.

Ken leads the team advising Marathon Oil Corporation in connection with the cross-border supply and transportation of natural gas for processing and distribution in Equatorial Guinea.

Furthermore, Ken leads the team advising a notable company controlled by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the concession, devel opment and rehabilitation of gas transportation and storage facilities in Nigeria. He similarly leads the team advising Conex Petroleum Refining Company in connection with the planned commissioning activities and commercial operation of its crude oil refining facility in Monrovia, Liberia.

Ken is a notary public for Nigeria; the vice chair of the energy and environment committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s business law section; and a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and the Nigerian Gas Association. Ken has written several articles, and delivered several presentations in his core practice areas.

Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN Aluko & Oyebode

Babatunde Fagbohunlu is a partner and the head of the litigation, arbitration and ADR practice group in Aluko & Oyebode. In December 2008, Tunde was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (the Nigerian equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

Tunde regularly represents Nigerian as well as foreign and multinational clients in ad hoc arbi trations and arbitrations administered by arbitral institutions. He has also acted as an arbitrator at several ad-hoc arbitral tribunals as well as arbitra tions administered by the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the London Court of International Arbitration (African Users Council), the International Arbitration Institute (IAI) in Paris and has served on the LCIA Court. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and chairs the board of directors of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).

His publications on arbitration include: Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions (Sweet & Maxwell, 2016; co-authored with John Miles and Kamal Shah); “A Case for a Different Analytical Approach to the Enforcement of International Arbitration Agreements: The MV Lupex in Perspective” (Appellate Review, volume 1, page 81, 2009) and “The Principle of Limited Court Intervention Survives in Nigeria … But How Far Will the Courts Go?” (Kluwer Arbitration Blog 2 August 2013, http://kluwerarbitrationblog.com/ blog/author/tundefagbohunlu/).

48 Awolowo Road

South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 813 984 1360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 8139841363 ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ken Etim is looked upon with enormous favour by market observers who single him out as a first-rate practitioner thanks to his significant experience negotiating energy transactions.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0537 tunde.fagbohunlu@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Babatunde Fagbohunlu draws accolades as a market-leading practitioner who excels in oil and gas-related litigation.

Olubunmi Fayokun Aluko & Oyebode

Olubunmi Fayokun is a partner at Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s capital markets and M&A practices. She represents top-tier indigenous, international and multinational clients in various sectors, including banking, energy and natural resources, power, insurance, aviation, pharma ceuticals and agriculture.

Olubunmi has advised on several high-profile capital market and M&A transactions, including Africa Finance Corporation’s US$650 million eurobond issuance and US$750 million cash tender offer; the initial public offering of shares by Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc and listing on The Nigerian Stock Exchange; the US$15 million green bond issuance by Access Bank Plc (the first climate board certified corporate green bonds issued in Africa); Nigerian aspects of the US$8.1 billion sale by Unilever Plc of its spreads business; and the 72.5 billion naira merger between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. She is currently advising on a variety of innovative capital market transac tions, including debt issuances by leading Nigerian commercial and merchant banks; and the demutu alisation of The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Olubunmi graduated from the University of Ife in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in law. She was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association; the International Bar Association; the American Bar Association; the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators; and the Capital Market Solicitors’ Association.

Olubunmi has served on various commit tees established by the Securities and Exchange Commission to promote the development of the Nigerian capital market, and played a key role in the establishment of the Nigerian Association of Securities Dealers’ over-the-counter market.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0534

olubunmi.fayokun@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Olubunmi Fayokun is singled out as “a specialist in the Nigerian jurisdiction” when it comes to transactions in the energy and natural resources sectors.

Lawrence Fubara Anga AÉLEX

Lawrence Fubara Anga heads the banking and financial services practice group of Aelex. He is admitted to practise in Nigeria, England and Wales, and Ghana. He appears as counsel before all supe rior courts in Nigeria and has acted as counsel or party-appointed arbitrator in several arbitration proceedings.

He advises domestic and international banks, financial institutions and financial industry regula tors on transactional and regulatory issues as well as on other matters relating to banking, financial services and capital markets. His practice includes advising banks and financial institutions on banking regulations, capitalisation issues, structuring of financial transactions, and compliance with finan cial industry regulators. He advises clients from around the world on direct and portfolio foreign investment in Nigeria.

He advised the federal government in the review of the Investment and Securities Act. He was invited as a member of the presidential policy advisory committee, where he was a member of the subcommittee on finance and investment. He authored the committee’s policy paper on foreign investment and privatisation.

He advises on finance in transactions in the oil and gas, telecoms, power, and infrastructure sectors. Fubara’s recent transactions include Advising a syndicate of local and international banks on a US$800 million loan facility in respect of the acquisition of an oil field in Nigeria, Advising a syndicate of local and international banks, on a US$141 million syndicated loan facility in respect of the acquisition of a power plant , Advising a project sponsor in the US$50 Million financing of a 25MMSCF gas processing plant utilizing a BOT financing structure. He is currently acting as Project and Borrower’s Counsel in an 80 million Euros ECA-backed project financing in respect of the reclamation of 200 hectares of land from the Lagos lagoon.

Fubara was a member and chairman of the Capital Markets Solicitors Association. He was also the chairman of the Central Bank of Nigeria SMIES policy guidelines review committee. He i s currently the Chairman of the Nig erian Stock Exchange Investment Protection Funds. He was a member of the Federal Ministry of Finance Committee on drafting a code of ethics for capital market regulators. He is currently a member of the capital markets master plan committee and the CMC rules and compliance subcommittee of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was appointed as a member of the UNICTRAL Group of Experts on Commercial Fraud. He is a member of council and the chairman of commercial law and taxation committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He has obtained advanced certification in project finance from the CLDP and Eximbank (US), in venture capital from the Venture Capital Institute (US) and in entrepreneurial development from the United Nations Centre for Transnational Corporations. He received a BA in economics and political science from Yale University in 1980 and a BA (1983) and MA (1988) in law from the University of Cambridge.

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +2234 1 279 3365 - 102 lfanga@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Lawrence Fubara Anga is renowned for his notable experience advising on a broad range of domestic and cross-border energy-related matters.

Anthony Idigbe SAN Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors

Anthony Idigbe (SAN) is the Senior Partner of PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors and President, PUNUKA Consulting Inc. in Canada.

His practice areas include but not limited to: Energy, Aviation, Insolvency; Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR); Consultancy & Process Advisory Services; PublicPrivate Partnership; Capital Markets; Mergers & Acquisitions; Construction Law; Aviation Law and Telecommunication law amongst others.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983 and licensed to practice law in Ontario, Canada in 2016. He was also appointed a Notary Public in 1989. Anthony Idigbe was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000 and has since earned a reputation for being a thoroughbred legal practitioner.

Anthony is a seasoned legal practitioner and board room guru with over 37 years’ experience in diverse areas of law. He holds a GPLLM degree from the University of Toronto, Toronto Canada, Master of Law (LLM) from Robert Gordon University Scotland (Construction and Arbitration Law), and another LLM from the University of Lagos, Nigeria respectively. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Enugu State university of Technology (ESUT), while his first degree is from University of Ife, Nigeria in 1982. He is currently a Doctoral Research Candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada. His area of research interest is the intersection between norms and law and the role of non-state entities in global norm and lawmaking in cross-border insolvency.

Anthony has represented the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, in matters against Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc. He has repre sented Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in variouscases including, 1004 Estates Limited v NERC & ORS; Tolu-wani Adebiyi v NERC.

He also advised NERC on various matters including developing a Consultation Paper on Regulatory Framework for Embedded Generation -2010; Application for Licenses (Generation, Transmission, System Operations, Distribution and Trading) Regulations – 2009; Methodology for a Multiyear Tariff Order (MYTO) for electricity pricing in Nigeria – 2007; Regulation on Standards of Service – 2007

Anthony has published and presented multiple papers and is a sought-after speaker for training programmes and webinars.

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri is a Partner at JACKSON, ETTI & EDU, a leading pan-African full-service commercial law firm and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Nigerian equivalent of the British Queen’s Counsel (QC). He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; an LLM in International Business Law from Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; an advanced Practice Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (DipICArb) from Kebble College, Oxford, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), United Kingdom; Fellow of the Business Rescue and Insolvency Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), an affiliate of Insol International; an Accredited Mediator of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR); and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.

Asamah is a consummate commercial Lawyer and Arbitrator with extensive experience in diverse aspects of domestic and cross-border commercial disputes and commercial transac tions. His dispute resolution expertise cuts across Litigation, Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation and Negotiation, spanning several sectors. He is also a subject matter expert in Labour and Employment; Company Boardroom and Shareholders’ Disputes; Energy, Oil & Gas, Mineral Resources, and Mining; Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement and Licensing Disputes; Insolvency and Corporate Rescue; Corporate Restructuring; Real Estate Property Disputes; International Trade; etcetera.

Plot 45 Oyibo Adjarho Street Off Ayinde Akinmade Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 270 4789 a.idigbe@punuka.com www.punuka.com

WWL says: Anthony Idigbe is highly regarded in the Nigerian market as “a wonderful and brilliant practitioner” who is frequently engaged in oil and gas litigation.

He has acted as lead Counsel in several Arbitration proceedings and has sat over several disputes as a Sole Arbitrator or Co-Arbitrator. He is a pioneer member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi-Door Court House, the ADR Centre of the Lagos High Court; a member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC); and a member of African Arbitration Association, amongst others. He is a pioneer member of the Panel of Neutrals appointed by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to preside over and resolve telecommunications disputes at the inception of the deregulation and liberalization of the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry in year 2001.

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri (SAN) Jackson, Etti & Edu

Asamah has vast experience and skills in the Energy, Mining and Mineral sector. He has been actively involved in the processing and acquisition of mining permits and regulatory approvals for clients. He has over the years acted as lead Counsel coordinating legal portfolios of several leading multinational oil & gas service and exploration corporations; power production, distribution, and sale companies; mining and mineral development license holders; amongst others. His experience in the Energy Sector spans across commercial transactions, corporate restructuring, insolvency, dispute resolution, host-community engagement, regulatory and compliance, legal audit, and general legal advisory, in respect of deals and disputes cumulatively worth billions of dollars. He is a member of several professional organisations and actively participates in Sector initiatives.

Asamah has been ranked by Chambers & Partners Global Legal Review as a leading Commercial Dispute Resolution Lawyer in Nigeria, consecutively in the years 2011 to 2022. He has also been ranked by Legal 500 as a “leading Commercial Litigation Lawyer”; and ranked by CorporateINTL as a “leading Insolvency Lawyer” in Nigeria. To cap it up, he was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest rank of legal practice in Nigeria in the year 2020. He is a member of several leading international arbitration institutions.

Oghogho Makinde

Aluko & Oyebode

Oghogho joined the partnership of Aluko & Oyebode in 2003. Her main practice areas are energy and natural resources, public-private partnerships (PPPs), banking and finance, private equity, corpo rate restructuring and divestitures, project/infra structure finance and regulatory compliance. She is the head of the firm’s business advisory practice.

Oghogho has extensive experience in advising operators in the Nigerian natural resources industry in all streams of the sector. She is currently advising on a couple of energy and natural resources transactions, including advising a US international oil and gas services corporation in a JV with a Nigerian partner on the termination of the JV and the buyout of the Nigerian partner which will be implemented over a 36 month period of phased acquisition, the advice includes Nigerian content impact on the JV entity; advising an indigenous oil and gas company in connection with the negotiation of loan facilities to fund the development of new oil wells; advising an international oil and gas company in joint venture with Nigerian partners on the regu latory regime for the release of Nigerian employees and the impact of recent Nigerian court decisions on the validity of the guidelines and procedures on the release of staff in the sector and on the validity of sanctions imposed by the regulator pursuant to the said regulations; advising an international oil and gas company on the renewal and renegotia tion of its production sharing contract and advising clients on the options for mitigating the impacts of the new Deep Offshore Act.

Oghogho received a bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B) from the University of Benin in 1988 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. She has a master’s degree in law (LL.M) from the University of Lagos. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; an associate member of the Energy Institute; a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), the Nigerian Gas Association, and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). She was the sole Nigerian Client Choice Awards winner in 2018 and 2019 and is an “IFLR woman leader” (2018 -2021). She was recently recognised in Who’s Who Legal 2021 as a global leader in energy (oil and gas).

3-5 Sinari Daranijo Street Victoria Island Lagos, 101241

Tel: +234 1 462 6843

asamah.kadiri@jee.africa www.jee.africa

WWL says: Asamah Kadiri is a well-estab lished name in the Nigerian market who maintains a top-tier practice handling a range of energy and power disputes.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 8360

oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Oghogho Makinde is a well-established practitioner in the Nigerian market thanks to her stellar advisory work on complex oil and gas disputes.

Kehinde Ojuawo Banwo & Ighodalo

Kehinde Ojuawo is a leading commercial lawyer with significant experience in advising on complex and market-defining transactions. He is a Partner in Banwo & Ighodalo, a 1st class full service corporate and commercial law firm with offices in Nigeria. He has represented prominent Nigerian and international clients on Energy & Natural Resources (comprising Power, Oil & Gas), Project Finance, Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions and Foreign Investments & Divestments transactions. He is widely acclaimed to be Nigeria’s leading natural resources prepay ment structured finance lawyer. Among several other ongoing transactions, Kehinde is currently leading a team advising the financier in connection with a US$2 billion financing for a multi-year drilling and asset development programme involving oil mining lease 42 in Nigeria. He is also co-leading the team advising Bank of China in connection with a circa US$3 billion financing of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipe line project (a major gas infrastructure project in Nigeria designed to connect the pipeline networks in the eastern and western parts of Nigeria to the northern region, which will become the largest pipeline network in Nigeria, upon completion). Further, he is co-leading teams advising Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) in rela tion to an aggregate circa $7,000,000,000 upstream natural gas development and supply prepayment financing transaction, for the supply of natural gas to Trains 1 to 6 and Train 7 of the liquefied natural gas facilities owned by Nigerian LNG Limited, as well as NNPC’s aggregate circa US$3 billion forward sale and prepayment transactions in connection with the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port-Harcourt refineries and circa US$4 billion concession initiative for the rehabilitation and upgrade of NNPC’s entire 5,120km pipelines network (for crude oil and petroleum products supply), distribution and storage facilities (22 depots), jetties and other infrastructure. Kehinde obtained his law degree from Obafemi

Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2002), a professional degree from the Nigerian Law School (2004) and a Masters’ Degree in Law from the University of Newcastle, England (2005). In addition to his formal education, Kehinde has undertaken numerous management and professional training courses from several Nigerian and international organiza tions, including “Leading Professional Service Firms Executive Education Program,” (Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Boston, USA); “Nigerian Leadership Initiative Fellowship Seminar on High Impact Leadership” New Haven, Connecticut, USA, organized in conjunction with Yale University); “School for International Financial Law,” (St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University), organized by Euromoney Legal Training; “The Core Course on International Oil and Gas Law,” (Cape Town, South Africa), organized by the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation; “International Upstream and Downstream Gas Business Management Certificate Program,” (Boston, USA), organized by International Human Resources Development Corporation; “Project Finance: Key Legal, Structural and Risk Issues,” (Lagos), organized by Euromoney Legal Training, “Business Development for Law Firms,” (Lagos), organized by the Law Society of England and Wales in association with the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association; “Engineering & Construction Contracts Management – FIDIC, NEC, JBC & GCC,” (Johannesburg, South Africa), organized by The Hill Institute; and “Warranties, Indemnities & Disclosure in Mergers & Acquisitions and other International Business Transactions,” (London) organ ized by Euromoney Legal Training, amongst others.

His professional affiliations and listings include the Nigerian Bar Association and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.

Kehinde loves to travel (and has been to over 60 countries) and network with professionals and businesspersons.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos Tel: +234 8139841360 kojuawo@banwo-ighodalo www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Kehinde Ojuawo is highlighted as a first-rate lawyer, recognised for his vast experience advising corporate clients on complex oil and gas matters.

Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, is Of Counsel and Founding Partner of Aluko & Oyebode. In his previous role as Chairman of the Management Board, he coor dinated the various practice areas of the Firm. He also headed the Firm’s corporate and energy and natural resources practice areas.

Gbenga has been involved in a number of complex commercial transactions in various sectors, with a particular focus on the energy, mining and telecommunications sectors. He advised on the US$80 million investment by 8 Miles LLP, ACA and DEG in Beloxxi Industries and the sale by Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation of its 60 per cent equity stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc. He also advised on the Brass LNG Project; the US$1.25 billion financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Project; the US$1.06 billion financing of trains four and five of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Expansion Project; and the development, financing, and implementation of the first IPP project in Nigeria.

Gbenga attended the University of Ife (LLB, honours) and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LLM), graduating in 1979 and 1982, respectively. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983). At various times in his career, he worked with White & Case in New York and Gulf Oil Company in Lagos and Houston.

Gbenga is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Bar Association. He is a past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association section on business law and serves on the boards of several companies.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 8032 000 007

gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Gbenga Oyebode is a leading name in the Nigerian market thanks to his outstanding advisory work on oil and gas transactions.

Gbenga Oyebode Aluko & Oyebode

Olusina Sipasi

AÉLEX

Sina is a partner in the firm’s energy, environment, and corporate/commercial practice groups. He has advised on the financing of energy and infra structure projects. He has also advised, drafted and negotiated various upstream agreements and crude lifting agreements.

He advised a syndicate of lenders on an US$800 million refinancing of an oil mining lease. He also advised a multi-national mobile network operator in respect of its proposed US$200 million financing for the purchase of network infrastructure. He has also advised a lender on a US$50.6 million ECA loan for on-lending to sponsors of a real estate development project in Lagos, and a gas processor on its gas purchase, processing and supply project. He is currently advising Afrexim and a syndicate of lenders on a US$141 million refinancing of a power plant. He has trained senior executives of power generation companies on gas utilisation, off-take and transportation contracts.

He was involved in the development of the National Gas Supply and Pricing Policy and the subsequent regulations developed to implement this policy. Sina played a key role in developing and drafting the template gas supply and gas transpor tation agreements which underpin the domestic supply of gas in Nigeria and detail the commercial arrangements and risk allocation among suppliers, purchasers, transporters and shippers of gas. He is currently advising the Federal Ministry of Power on structuring and concessioning of five small hydro power plants.

Reginald Udom

Aluko & Oyebode

Reginald is a partner in the corporate and commer cial department of Aluko & Oyebode. His main prac tice areas are banking and finance, project finance, and energy and natural resources. He has advised sponsors, lenders, issuers, underwriters and borrowers on a number of financing transactions involving LNG plants; oil and gas fields, and related infrastructure; shopping centres; cement plants; and steel mills.

In the past 18 months, he has acted as lead counsel in several high-profile upstream and midstream transactions which closed successfully, and where the total commitments from Nigerian banks were in excess of US$1 billion. These loan facilities, made available to Nigerian oil and gas Independents, are currently being used for field developments and construction of alternative crude evacuation platforms. Reginald also advised Vitol and Helios in connection with the acquisition of the downstream petroleum business of the Oando Group, which represented the largest capital inflow into the Nigerian downstream sector.

Reginald attended the University of Lagos (LLB with honours, 2000) and University College London (LLM, 2006). He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He has a keen interest in leadership locally and abroad, and has attended several related train ings and seminars including the Yale University/ Nigeria Leadership Initiative fellows’ leader ship programme, and the law firm leadership programme facilitated by Professor David B Wilkins at Harvard Law School.

DIRECTORY

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 4617 321 osipasi@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Olusina Sipasi is a top name in the Nigerian market with a fantastic track-record advising multinational oil companies in intricate disputes.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 806 118 5105 reginald.udom@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Reginald Udom receives wide spread acclaim thanks to his extensive expe rience in financing work within the Nigerian energy industry.

Bayo Adaralegbe*

Babalakin & Co agadaralegbe@babalakinandco.com Adeoye Adefulu Odujinrin & Adefulu adeoye.adefulu@odujinrinadefulu.com Funke Adekoya SAN* AÉLEX oadekoya@aelex.com Gbite Adeniji ENR Advisory adeniji@enradvisory.com Sola Adepetun Dentons ACAS-Law sadepetun@acas-law.com Tolulope Aderemi Perchstone & Graeys tolulopeaderemi@perchstoneandgraeys.com Taiwo Afonja Dentons ACAS-Law taiwo.afonja@dentons.com

Funke Agbor Dentons ACAS-Law fagbor@acas-law.com Dan Agbor* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net Fabian Ajogwu, SAN Kenna Partners counsel@kennapartners.com

Adedolapo Akinrele SAN F O Akinrele & Co dolapo_akinrele@foakinrele.com

T Iboroma Akpana Solola & Akpana iakpana@sololaakpana.com Oghogho Akpata Templars ogh.akpata@templars-law.com

Ola Alokolaro* Advocaat Law Practice ola.alokolaro@advocaat-law.com

Soji Awogbade* AÉLEX sawogbade@aelex.com Israel Aye CELP israel@candelp.com Uzoma Azikiwe* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org

Bolanle Olawale Babalakin SAN Babalakin & Co bob@babalakinandco.com

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Gbenga Biobaku Gbenga Biobaku & Co

Stella Duru*

Banwo & Ighodalo sduru@banwo-ighodalo.com

Folake Elias-Adebowale* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie folake.adebowale@uubo.org

Tobenna Erojikwe* The Law Crest LLP tobenna.erojikwe@thelawcrest.com

Wolemi Esan Olaniwun Ajayi LP wesan@olaniwunajayi.net

Ken Etim*

Banwo & Ighodalo ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com

Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN* Aluko & Oyebode tunde.fagbohunlu@aluko-oyebode.com

Jumoke Fajemirokun ENR Advisory fajemirokun@enradvisory.com

Olubunmi Fayokun* Aluko & Oyebode olubunmi.fayokun@aluko-oyebode.com

Lawrence Fubara Anga* AÉLEX lfanga@aelex.com Chiagozie F. Hillary Streamsowers & Köhn chiagozie@sskohn.com

Anthony Idigbe SAN* Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors a.idigbe@punuka.com

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri (SAN)* Jackson, Etti & Edu asamah.kadiri@jee.africa

Dolapo Kukoyi Detail Commercial Solicitors dolapo@detailsolicitors.com

Oghogho Makinde* Aluko & Oyebode oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com

Uche Nwokedi SAN Uche Nwokedi & Co un@unc-legal.com

Chike Obianwu Templars chike.obianwu@templars-law.com

Fidelis Oditah KC SAN Fidelis Oditah & Co fidelisoditah@oditah.com

Desmond Ogba Templars desmond.ogba@templars-law.com

Ike Oguine ENR Advisory oguine@advisoryng.com

Kehinde Ojuawo* Banwo & Ighodalo kojuawo@banwo-ighodalo Ayodele Oni Bloomfield Law Practice ayodele.oni@bloomfield-law.com

Oluseye Opasanya Olaniwun Ajayi LP oopasanya@olaniwunajayi.net

Tominiyi Owolabi Olaniwun Ajayi LP towolabi@olaniwunajayi.net Gbenga Oyebode* Aluko & Oyebode gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com

Felicia Kemi Segun Dentons ACAS-Law ksegun@acas-law.com

Dunni Segun-Oki Babalakin & Co dsegunoki@babalakinandco.com Olusina Sipasi* AÉLEX osipasi@aelex.com

Tope Solola Solola & Akpana tsolola@sololaakpana.com

Reginald Udom* Aluko & Oyebode reginald.udom@aluko-oyebode.com

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

In this chapter, WWL highlights 23 brilliant practitioners in Nigeria who are recognised as leaders in the field of Intellectual property thanks to their experience handling a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including patents, infringements and dispute resolution.

Most Highly Regarded

O Kayode & Company

Lagos

Uche Nwokocha of Aluko & Oyebode is praised by peers for her top-tier IP practice encompassing trademark clearance, tech nology transfers and dispute resolution.

Mark Mordi earns high praise for his considerable experience representing clients in litigation proceedings in the IP arena.

Femi Olubanwo at Banwo & Ighodalo is “a leader within the IP space” according to sources, distinguished as “a significant contributor to the development of the IP regime in Nigeria”.

Lara Kayode with O Kayode & Company is heralded as “a truly inspirational IP lawyer in Nigeria” who has made “significant contribu tions to the development of the IP regime”.

Lagos

At Chief GO Sodipo & Co, Bankole Sodipo is lauded by peers as “one of the giants of the IP industry in Nigeria” thanks to his vast experi ence in the field.

At Jackson, Etti & Edu, Obafemi Agaba is well renowned for his work on “many significant IP matters” which has made “an immense contribution to the development of the IP space” in Nigeria.

Chinyere Okorocha is widely recognised as a leading figure in the market thanks to her vast experience spanning all aspects of IP, from portfolio management to enforcement.

Marlies Allan of Allan & Ogunkeye enjoys a fantastic reputation for her representation of numerous multinational clients in complex IP matters over her decades-long career.

Femi Olubanwo Banwo & Ighodalo Lagos

Obatosin Ogunkeye draws plaudits from market respondents as an innovator in Nigeria for intellectual property and infringe ment actions.

Mena Ajakpovi with Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie is commended by market respondents for his market-leading expertise in copyright law and experience representing major inter national clients.

Theophilus Emuwa ranks highly among peers thanks to his first-rate practice which sees him regularly advise clients on the full spectrum of IP matters.

Davidson Oturu has built and maintains a top-tier IP practice, with sources confirming that he is “very knowledgeable about his field and extremely versatile”.

Lara Kayode

Uche Nwokocha Aluko & Oyebode

Obafemi Agaba

Jackson, Etti & Edu

Obafemi Agaba is a Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu; a leading pan-African full-service commercial law firm with a sector focus. Obafemi heads the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group of the Firm where he doubles as the Head of the Brand Protection & Anti-Counterfeiting team and the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sector of the Firm.

He is an expert in diverse areas of complex brand protection, Labour and Employment disputes, Criminal Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and anti-counterfeiting campaigns including IP litigation. He has successfully repre sented several local and multi-national clients in the above areas and won several litigation cases thus dictating the pace in fundamental principles in the Nigerian legal jurisprudence. Obafemi is currently the President of the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association of Nigeria (IPLAN). He has attended and facilitated several local and interna tional conferences and workshops, including those organized by International Trademarks Association (INTA), Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration, International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Nigerian Customs Service, amongst others. He is presently a member of the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of INTA and was responsible for drafting the legal framework for the actualization of the recommendations of the Lagos State Governor’s Committee for the reforms of the entertainment industry in Lagos State, Nigeria. He chairs the Middle East, Africa and South Asia Legislation and Regulation Sub-committee for 2022-2023 at INTA. He has been ranked by several reputable organisations like Chambers, Managing IP, Who’s Who Legal, e.t.c for his outstanding expertise.

Education: University College London (University of London) – LL.M IP with a stint in Corporate Insolvency & Restructure; King’s College London (University of London) – PG.DIP in UK, EC & US Copyright Law; Nigerian Law School –B.L; Lagos State University – LL.B;Professional Memberships;Nigerian Bar Association; International Trademark Association (INTA); AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (ACC)

Mena Ajakpovi

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Mena Ajakpovi is a Partner in the firm’s intellectual property, litigation, arbitration & alternative dispute resolution, and telecommunications, media, and technology teams. He advises on copyright, patent, trademarks, domain names, broadcasting, music/ movie/comedy production, distribution, branding, image rights, and franchising/licensing, amongst others. He has represented some of the world’s biggest names and owners of IP in disputes relative to these areas.

Mena provided advisory support to Bloomberg TV Africa, through its franchisee, when Bloomberg entered the Nigerian Broadcasting space. He also advised FIFA (International Federation of Football Associations), through its franchisee, on broadcast piracy of its signals for the World Cup in Nigeria. He represented a party in a copyright dispute relating to the “Big Brother” copyright format in Nigeria and represented Interswitch in the resolution of its dispute with a major competitor for the use of a patent.

He supervised the team that pioneered anti-piracy campaigns on behalf of Microsoft Corp in Nigeria and has led anti-piracy and counterfeit campaigns on behalf of brand owners in Nigeria. In entertainment law, Mena has a close working relationship with movie producers, artistes, actors, and other stakeholders in the media and entertain ment industry, and his advice is widely sought in music production deals, film finance, and disputes arising therefrom.

Mena is a Notary Public, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (FCIArb), and a member of the panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Court of International Arbitrators LCIA. He is also a Fellow of the Centre for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria. He is a member of the Anti-counterfeit Committee of the International Trademarks Association (INTA) and has made pres entations in this capacity.

3-5 Sinari Daranijo Street

Victoria Island Lagos, 101241 Tel: +234 1 291 5427 obafemiagaba@jacksonettiandedu.com www.jee.africa

WWL says: Obafemi Agaba is well renowned for his work on “many significant IP matters” which has made “an immense contribution to the development of the IP space” in Nigeria.

Mena is also a member of the Intellectual Property Committee of the International Bar Association, where he has also made presenta tions. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Trademarks Attorneys UK, and the Pharmaceutical Trade Group (PTMG), a pan-European forum for IP lawyers with specialisation in the pharmaceutical sector.

He has featured in the Who’s Who Legal Intellectual Property section and has published papers on copyright, information technology, broadcast rights, and dispute resolution.

Theophilus I Emuwa AÉLEX

Theo is widely acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s leading tax lawyers. His tax advisory profile spans across all types of income taxes as well as capital gains tax, and indirect taxes such as VAT, sales tax, customs and excise duties, and stamp duty.

He was for several years the chair of the tax committee of the section on business law of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is a member of the taxation section of the IBA, and is currently the vice chair of the International Fiscal Association, Nigeria.

A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Theo served as the vice chair of the tax law review committee of the institute. Also, he contributed the chapter on International Taxation in the first edition of CITN Nigerian Tax Guides and Statutes. He was formerly the deputy editor of the Nigerian Tax Notes.

Theo is admitted to practise law in England and Wales, Nigeria and Ghana.

He holds both a BSc (1979) and an MSc (1980) in engineering from Imperial College London, and is a member of Gray’s Inn, London.

Mark Mordi Aluko & Oyebode

Mark joined Aluko & Oyebode in 1995 and became a litigation partner with the firm in 2003.

He is a currently a partner and core member of the firm’s litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice group and is team lead in intellectual property enforcement matters, maritime and aviation matters.

In the course of his intellectual property enforcement practice, Mark represents a number of international pharmaceutical companies in intel lectual property disputes. He has prosecuted several class actions, IP enforcement matters ranging from trademark infringements to unlawful interference with the performance of contracts cases for major multinational pharmaceutical companies and local manufacturing companies. In the course of these cases, he has also successfully obtained and enforced in every case, pre-emptive remedies in the nature of Anton Piller Orders, temporary restraining orders or injunctions against counterfeit producers, and parallel importers and passers-off.

Mark is involved in preparation and arguing of processes for opposition proceedings before the Trademark Registry, civil matters including contract, tort, property, and corporate disputes, as well as criminal matters, and renders anticounter feiting advice.

Among memberships of note, Mark is a member of the anti-counterfeiting committee of the International Trademarks Association; member of the panel of neutrals at the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); he is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK and also an accredited mediator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. The Intellectual Market Place Analysis 2013 describes him as an “excellent negotiator” and a “formidable litigator”.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 14622307-12 mena.ajakpovi@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Mena Ajakpovi is commended by market respondents for his market-leading expertise in copyright law and experience representing major international clients.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 279 3365 tiemuwa@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Theophilus Emuwa ranks highly among peers thanks to his first-rate practice which sees him regularly advise clients on the full spectrum of IP matters.

Mark has an LLB (honours) from the University of Benin (1988). He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233

Tel: +234 803 422 4068

mark.mordi@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Mark Mordi earns high praise for his considerable experience representing clients in litigation proceedings in the IP arena.

Uche Nwokocha Aluko & Oyebode

Uche Nwokocha, Harvard alumni, joined the firm in 2003 and was admitted to partnership in 2008. She has experience in trademark clearance and exploitation, patents, dispute resolution, fran chising, technology transfer, product registration with NAFDAC. After graduation from law school, Nwokocha gained Masters in International Law and Diplomacy (M.I.L.D) in 1997 from the University of Lagos.She heads the Intellectual property depart ment of the firm and advises local and interna tional clients on the full range of brand-related matters including the licensing and franchising of technology transfer agreements with NOTAP.Uche was featured by Legal Business Africa as one of 20 Outstanding Nigerian Women in Business Law for 2021, recognised as a leading patent and trademark practitioner in the WIPR - World IP Review Leaders 2021 Guide and listed among the 11 individual rankings across 5 main practice areas that are researched and evaluated by Chambers Global for Nigeria for 2021. She was ranked among the 2020 World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000, recognized in Who’s Who Legal 2020 as an expert in intellectual property, Top 250 Women in IP for 2020 by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) which also named her an “IP Star” (2016-2020) and in 2019 by World IP Review.She served as a board member of INTA from 2018-2020 and was assigned to the finance committee for 2020 and was also nominated by US mission in Nigeria as a panellist to celebrate World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2021.Uche currently serves as a board member at GACG (Global AntiCounterfeiting Group) and the Secretary of Anticounterfeiting Collaboration (ACC) Nigeria and previously chaired the Middle East, Africa and South Asia subcommittee of INTA’s anti-counterfeiting committee.Uche continues to bring value to brands that she represents.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 806 680 3387 uche.nwokocha@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Uche Nwokocha is praised by peers for her top-tier IP practice encom passing trademark clearance, technology transfers and dispute resolution.

Chinyere Okorocha Jackson, Etti & Edu

Chinyere Okorocha is a Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu. She is a board level Intellectual Property Law specialist, with over three decades of experi ence across all aspects of this specialist practice area. She has demonstrable expertise in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting, commercial IP strategies, including licensing and franchising of IP assets, prosecution of trademarks, patents and designs, registration of domain names, copyright, and overall portfolio management.

Her accolades and recognitions over the years include her nomination as one of Managing Intellectual Property’s (MIP’s) Top 250 Women in IP, worldwide 2021/22, Nigeria’s top 20 women in Business Law 2020 and one of the 50 most influen tial women in the Legal Profession (Business Day Newspaper). She has featured in the Trademark Law Practitioners Expert Guides 2012 – 2022, Euromoney, UK; and as an “IP Star” in Managing IP’s definitive guide to Leading IP Lawyers 20142022, UK. She is ranked in Chambers Global 2016 - 2022, as a Leading Individual in IP in Nigeria and she is recommended by Who Is Who Legal, 2017 –2022 as a global expert, to mention a few.

Chinyere has over the years successfully organized/ facilitated various seminars and work shops on IP, both locally and internationally. She also belongs to many professional organizations and advises varied government agencies on IP related issues, particularly Law reform. She is on the Advisory Board of several NGOs and regularly speaks at workshops, seminars, and conferences (locally and internationally) and has recently been approached to develop course content for an Intellectual Property Training School for young lawyers. She has also written many published and unpublished articles, both locally and internationally.

Femi is a founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo and heads the IP and Technology practice, covering all aspects of IP including trademarks, copyright, patents, industrial designs, and other ancillary matters such as entertainment and media, and Technology. He graduated with an LLB (honours) degree in law in 1981 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. His other practice areas are banking and corporate finance, project finance, M&A, capital markets, corporate restructuring and mining.

He has advised several multinational and blue-chip companies in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, fintech and manufacturing, in relation to the protection and enforcement of their IPRs in Africa. His commit ment to exceeding clients’ expectations, and the assurance of success in any transaction with which he is identified place him above the ordinary lawyer.

Femi was, until recently the President of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN). He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA); the World Trade Centre of Nigeria; and the International Trademark Association (INTA). He sits as a director on the boards of many companies.

Femi is ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by renowned international law directories such as Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000 and WWL. He is frequently called upon to advise and assist the government of Nigeria on IP policies and reforms.

He has written many articles and frequently delivers papers and gives presentations on subjects in his core practice areas. His hobbies are reading, driving, travel, snooker and golf. He and his late wife are blessed with a daughter, two sons, a son-in-law and a granddaughter.

3-5 Sinari Daranijo Street Victoria Island Lagos, 101241

Tel: +234 1 462 6843 chinyereokorocha@jacksonettiandedu.com www.jee.africa

WWL says: Chinyere Okorocha is widely recognised as a leading figure in the market thanks to her vast experience spanning all aspects of IP, from portfolio management to enforcement.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 813 984 1360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136 folubanwo@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Femi Olubanwo is “a leader within the IP space” according to sources, distinguished as “a significant contributor to the development of the IP regime in Nigeria”.

Femi Olubanwo Banwo & Ighodalo

AÉLEX

Davidson is a partner at AELEX, a full-service law firm with offices in Nigeria and Ghana, and heads its fintech, technology, innovation, and intellectual property (IP) practice groups.

He advises clients on trans-border issues relating to fintech, IP law, information and commu nication technology law, cybersecurity, telecommu nications, data protection and privacy.

His clients are in a variety of industries, including banking, information technology, private equity, financial services and capital markets.

He has significant experience in representing and advising clients on trans-border issues relating to fintech, project finance, digital assets, crypto currency, the Internet of Things, crowdfunding, blockchain technology data protection and cyber security breaches, white collar crimes and data privacy. He assists clients with remediating highstakes multi-jurisdictional cybersecurity breaches, negotiating complex technology transactions, fran chising and intellectual property licensing.

He provides practical and strategic advice to leading fintech companies, private equity firms, telecommunications service providers, mobile network operators, infrastructure owners and investors, equipment manufacturers and financial institutions.

He leads the team which provides advisory services to a cryptocurrency mobile money transfer company that recently launched its payment plat form that can be used to buy, sell, or transfer cryp tocurrency to other users through their mobile phones.

He advised a foremost commodities exchange on the establishment and launch of their digital trading platform which enables investors trade and invest in commodities backed instruments through their mobile devices. Additionally, he acted as the transaction adviser in the company’s $240m Commercial Paper Issuance.

Presently, he is advising a healthtech on their crowdfunding initiative which is being conducted through an Initial Exchange Offering that will launch their cryptocurrency. He is also advising them on their innovative decentralized mobile application that will be available on Android and IOS platforms.

He is also leading a team providing legal advice to a fintech on the regulatory regime in Nigeria as regards the provision of card switching and processing services among other services.

He is an executive member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Committee tasked with creating a roadmap for the use of fintech in the capital market in Nigeria, and led the team that drafted the Nigerian Startup Bill.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Chartered Management Institute (UK), the International Technology Law Association, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the UK Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys, the Intellectual Property Law Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb, UK).

He has an LLM from the University of Cumbria, and an MBA from Queen Mary University of London.

He also has several certifications in intellectual property, data protection, fintech. Cybersecurity and business management.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Obafemi Agaba* Jackson, Etti & Edu obafemiagaba@jacksonettiandedu.com

Mena Ajakpovi*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie mena.ajakpovi@uubo.org

Marlies Allan Allan & Ogunkeye m.allan@allanogunkeye.com

Chuma Anosike Chuma Anosike & Co info@chumanco.com= Afolabi Caxton-Martins Dentons ACAS-Law acaxton-martins@acas-law.com Lookman Durosinmi-Etti Jackson, Etti & Edu durosinmi-etti@jacksonettiandedu.com Theophilus I Emuwa* AÉLEX tiemuwa@aelex.com

Ogaga Ifowodo Remedium ogaga.ifowodo@remediumlawpartners.com

Rockson Igelige Remedium rockson.igelige@remediumlawpartners.com

Lara Kayode

O Kayode & Company lara@okayode.com

Olugboyega Kayode

David Garrick Kayode & Co info@garkaylaw.com

Mark Mordi* Aluko & Oyebode mark.mordi@aluko-oyebode.com

Afam F Nwokedi Stillwaters Law Firm info@stillwaterslaw.com Uche Nwokocha* Aluko & Oyebode uche.nwokocha@aluko-oyebode.com

Obatosin Ogunkeye

Allan & Ogunkeye o.ogunkeye@allanogunkeye.com

Uwa Ohiku Jackson, Etti & Edu uwaohiku@jacksonettiandedu.com

Sam N Okagbue

George Ikoli & Okagbue sokagbue@ikoliokagbue.com

Chinyere Okorocha*

WWL says: Davidson Oturu has built and maintains a top-tier IP practice, with sources confirming that he is “very knowledgeable about his field and extremely versatile”.

Jackson, Etti & Edu chinyereokorocha@jacksonettiandedu.com

Bolanle Olowu

IPI Watch Services bolanle@ipiwatchservice.com

Davidson Oturu

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Femi Olubanwo*

Banwo & Ighodalo folubanwo@banwo-ighodalo.com

Davidson Oturu AÉLEX doturu@aelex.com

Bankole Sodipo Chief GO Sodipo & Co info@gosodipo.com

Etigwe Uwa SAN Streamsowers & Köhn etigwe@sskohn.com

LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

In this chapter, we recognise 16 practitioners who stand out in the Nigerian market for their expertise in complex pension schemes, disputes and regulatory-related matters in the labour and employment sphere.

Most Highly Regarded

Folabi Kuti Perchstone & Graeys Lagos

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie achieves four listings.

The “excellent” Jumoke Lambo is singled out by market sources as “a brilliant lawyer in the employment space”.

Peers commend Uzoma Azikiwe as “a great practitioner with sound understanding of laws relating to labour and employment”.

Market commentators single out Dan Agbor as “a brilliant labour and employment practitioner”.

Mary Ekemezie has built up an impres sive practice, earning her a reputation as a go-to practitioner for employee restructur ings and transfers.

Templars sees three practitioners listed here.

Inam Wilson at Templars maintains a top-notch employment law practice advising clients on a variety of discrimination complaints and disputes cases.

Ijeoma Uju is celebrated for her expe rience and expertise advising clients on a range of labour and pension-related issues.

With more than two decades of expe rience, Olumide Akpata is singled out for his “cutting-edge labour and employment practice”.

Market sources herald the “excellent employ ment lawyer” Folabi Kuti at Perchstone & Graeys for his outstanding practice and “depth of knowledge” in complex employ ment and labour law matters.

Tonye Krukrubo with Aluko & Oyebode is highly esteemed by market sources as “an expert practitioner on labour and employ ment law”.

Bimbo Atilola at Hybrid Solicitors ranks highly among peers thanks to his in-depth understanding of corporate employment law and is widely considered “one of the best practitioners in the country”.

Adekunle Obebe at Bloomfield Law Practice is a distinguished practitioner with a wealth of experience in complex immigration and regulatory matters in the employment arena.

From The Law Crest, Oseinoma Okpeku is singled out by sources as a leading name in the market, renowned for his “in-depth knowledge of labour and employment law” and “invaluable experience handling labour disputes”.

Dayo Adu from Famsville Solicitors draws praise for his representation of Nigerian and international clients in contentious and non-contentious employment law issues.

At AÉLEX, Ola Orewale excels across a wide range of labour matters, including contracts of service, restructurings and employment disputes.

Sam Orji from Ikeyi Shittu & Co is a distin guished practitioner with significant exper tise in dispute resolution and enjoys a strong track record on litigation.

Observers laud Olumide Aju with F O Akinrele & Co for his “vast and extensive knowledge on labour and employment matters”.

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.

He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establishment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transac tions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guar antees. He serves on the boards of various compa nies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

Uzoma Azikiwe

Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is a partner and the head of UUBO’s Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Uzoma was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England on 14th December 2020.

With over 34 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, arbitrator, mediator and conciliator, Uzoma provides advice in maritime, aviation, employment and energy matters. His specialisa tions include advising multinationals on oil, gas and environmental matters, the provision, manning and maintenance of vessels, cabotage issues, tele communications, construction, administrative and constitutional law.

He trained as an International Commercial Arbitrator with several Nigerian and interna tional arbitration organisations including the ICC Institute of World Business Law, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigeria), and Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliation. He obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration at St Anne’s College, Oxford, United Kingdom and has benefitted from PIDA training in International Commercial Arbitration, PIDA training in International Commercial Contracts and training by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

To the extent that can be disclosed, the following are some of the matters that Uzoma has recently worked on:

He led the team and defended Statoil in a USD 230 million Supreme Court claim, where the Supreme Court, in allowing the appeal, dismissed the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He advises General Electric in a USD 19 million Federal High Court case, which has thrown up several interesting legal issues and has given rise to one Supreme Court decision and four Court of Appeal judgments which have enriched Nigerian jurisprudence.

He was an arbitrator in a dispute between Habila Resources Limited and Daewoo Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract for the dredging of Cawthorne Channels 2 & 3 Flow Stations, Awoba Flow Station and Krakrama Flow Station.

He recently defended (successfully) a foremost Accounting, Auditing, Consulting and a Financial Services firm in an ad- hoc arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Market commentators single out Dan Agbor as “a brilliant labour and employment practitioner”.

Uzoma makes presentations, presents depo sitions and gives evidence as a legal expert on Nigerian law before various foreign courts. Most recently, he appeared in this capacity before the High Court of Justice in England (in the 2009 case of Dornoch Limited & Others -v- Westminster International BV & Others) and presented a depo sition on Nigerian law in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, USA in the case of Harry A. Akande –v- TransAmerica Airlines Inc & Others. Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is the Lead Counsel in providing legal advisory services to and representa tion of British Airways in Nigeria.He has published articles on commercial law including “The Doctrine of Undisclosed Agency Revisited”, environmental law and arbitration. He presents papers at and conducts seminars for various major service companies in the oil industry in Nigeria on employ ment and labour matters.

He recently represented a German multina tional oil and gas drilling company in an arbitration under the ICC Rules Case No. 22243/TO in respect of a claim against a Nigerian oil and gas company for the recovery of unpaid invoices of over US$20 Million in connection with a drilling contract.

He recently advised an international telecom munications giant on sundry Nigerian law issues that arose in several enforcements and set aside litigation in various Nigerian courts in relation to an UNCITRAL arbitral award.

He advised a Swiss oil and gas trading company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with a Lagos seated ad- hoc arbitration proceedings in relation to a jetty utilisation agreement.

St. Nicholas House (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 277 4920 / 2719811 / 2719812 / +234 1 2774921

uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Market sources commend Uzoma Azikiwe SAN as “a great practitioner with sound understanding of laws relating to labour and employment”.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Tonye Krukrubo

Aluko & Oyebode

Tonye is a partner and heads the Firm’s Port Harcourt office. He handles complex instructions from a diverse clientele. His focus areas of practice are employment, trade law, oil & gas, energy, and natural resources. Tonye also advises on commer cial transactions across other sectors including banking, immigration, regulatory compliance, taxa tion, land law, environment, and other areas of law practice in Nigeria.

He also holds an LLM degree with a focus on international business law from the University of Liverpool. He has been recommended by The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East, and Africa for his litiga tion experience. He often speaks at seminars and international conferences one of such recent events was the 2019 Africa Business Conference of the Lagos Business School where he shared insights on various aspects of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Tonye is also an arbitrator and is currently the chair of the Port Harcourt chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigeria Branch and the Secretary Section on Legal Practice of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Folabi Kuti Perchstone & Graeys

Folabi Kuti graduated with an LLB (upper division) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and subsequently obtained an LLM from the University of Lagos. Since joining Perchstone & Graeys in 2005, Folabi has demonstrated his skills in corpo rate commercial litigation, insolvency and secured credit transactions, alternative dispute resolution, and labour and employment matters.

Folabi is the supervising partner of the firm’s employment law, company law and litigation desks, and he applies his extensive knowledge and profi ciency in labour matters towards advising clients with an objective to create a seamless relationship between employers and employees.

Folabi has a keen interest in the development of Nigerian law as well as those of other jurisdictions. His resourcefulness has contributed immensely to deepening the corporate and commercial advocacy practice of the firm.

A prolific writer, Folabi is widely published on a vast range of subjects such as commercial liti gation, civil procedure and literary criticism. He is also a contributing editor to the widely acclaimed UK-based publication, The Employment Law Review (as a co-contributor to the Nigerian chapter); the Squire Patton Boggs online publication on labour and employment; and a few other employment-re lated journals. Folabi was selected to join a panel of facilitators, drawn from seven countries across the globe, at a session organised by the ENI International Resources legal team on non-discrimination legisla tion in various countries, with particular emphasis on the application of article 111 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention in Nigeria.

Folabi is a regular speaker/facilitator/resource person at conferences and seminars, particularly those dealing with the evolving “world of work” and related legal issues.

Folabi is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Jumoke Lambo

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Jumoke Lambo is a Partner and heads the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (“TMT”), which also comprises the firm’s data protection practice. She co-heads the firm’s, Aviation, Employment Law, which includes the firm’s business establishment and corporate immi gration practice and Corporate Advisory teams. She also oversees Alsec Nominees Limited, the firm’s company secretarial practice, which has over 300 companies in its portfolio. Her specialisations include TMT, data protection and cybersecurity, foreign investment, regulatory compliance, avia tion, employment law, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate advisory. Jumoke has over three decades of experience in telecommunica tions law, data protection, cybersecurity, aviation, employment law, immigration law and general corporate practice with an emphasis on corporate advisory, legislative drafting, mergers and acquisi tions, foreign investment, corporate restructuring, regulatory compliance, due diligence and capital markets.

3rd Floor, Plot 173, Sani Abacha Road, GRA Phase III

Port Harcourt Tel: +234 84 235 579 tonye.krukrubo@aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Tonye Krukrubo is highly esteemed by market sources as “an expert practitioner on labour and employment law”.

1 Perchstone & Graeys Close Off Remi Olowude Street, Lekki Epe Expressway Lagos Tel: +234 802 341 9644 folabikuti@perchstoneandgraeys.com www.perchstoneandgraeys.com

WWL says: Market sources herald the “excellent employment lawyer” Folabi Kuti, SAN for his outstanding practice and “depth of knowledge” in complex employment and labour law matters.

She was a member of the consortium of inter national experts whose services were retained by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (“BPE”), to exhaus tively review and modify Nigeria’s legal/regulatory framework for its Telecommunications sector. The team later went on to draft the compre hensive legislation for the sector, the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. She has assisted many companies in her various areas of expertise about establishing and doing business in Nigeria. She also advises a variety of investors with the acquisitions of interests in Nigerian companies and regulatory compliance. In addition, she has assisted clients with generating employment and end of-employment documentation, negotiation and settling of employment-related contractual and trade disputes and advising on employee issues in the context of bankruptcies, company liquidations, mergers, acquisitions, divestments and restructuring. She heads the data protection practice group which is a subset of the TMT practice group and advises widely on data protection issues. She is noted for her data protection expertise. The

Jumoke Lambo (cont.)

firm is a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisation with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and as a result Jumoke assists many clients with their data protection compliance under the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation 2019. Jumoke was seconded to both Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited - Etisalat Nigeria (now 9 Mobile) (2009-2010), and Union Bank of Nigeria (2014-2017) to head their legal departments and to restructure the departments by introducing processes and structures to improve their efficiency and optimise output. These secondments also broadened her own experience in the legal sphere through the exposure to in-house legal work.

Jumoke has also assisted the telecom munications sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (“NCC”) and the NITDA, in their drive to develop awareness with their various stakeholders within and outside Nigeria. In this regard she has been a member of the NCC’s faculty at a training of judges on cyber security. She has assisted the NITDA by reviewing policy document and providing input into proposed draft legislation.

Oseinoma Okpeku

The Law Crest LLP

Oseinoma Okpeku is a partner with The Law Crest LLP where he 0heads the employment law, HR, and immigration practice team. After bagging his law degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2001. Oseinoma has a master’s degree in employment law and international labour standards and a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of South Wales. Prior to joining The Law Crest LLP, he worked for one of the top four retailers in the United Kingdom as a senior human resource executive and head of recruitment projects. He is a PRINCE2PROJECT practitioner; a member of the CIPD and the chairman of the NBA SBL EIRC Committee of the NBA SBL. He regularly consults for multinationals, private organisations, and the government. He has led the HR integration process of significant mergers and acquisitions in the energy, finance and FMCG sectors. He is regularly engaged by multinationals to assist in reviewing their entire HR policies and procedures as well as developing functional employee engage ment frameworks. He has presented papers on employment law issues both within and outside Nigeria. He recently consulted for several state governments on the recruitment and management of Nigerian medical personnel in diaspora and regularly provides immigration advisory services for organisations, as well as for individuals seeking to take up employment or residence in Nigeria.

More recently, he has been involved in devel oping alternative work models for organisations as well as carrying out safe work audits leading to the development and implementation of poli cies addressing compulsory vaccination, bullying, harassment, accidents, etc.

Ola Orewale AÉLEX

Ola is a partner at AÉLEX. He has over 20 years of experience in labour and employment matters. He handles labour and employment matters at the High Courts and Appellate Courts in Nigeria.

He renders advisory services to financial institutions, corporate organisations, govern mental agencies and multinational companies on employee benefits, pensions, workplace health and safety, out-sourcing, collective bargaining, immigration and employment issues arising from corporate restructurings and take-overs. He has been involved with drafting employment contracts and employee handbooks across different sectors for several local and multinational entities.

Ola has considerable experience in working closely with clients, advising on strategic and oper ational employment issues and designing efficient policies taking into account, developments in the legislative, judicial and commercial arenas. He also has considerable experience with issues arising from trade disputes on terms of collective bargaining agreements or issues arising from trade unions. He recently provided advisory support to a client in a trade dispute referred to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and in the even tual resolution of the dispute by the parties’ execu tion of a Memorandum of Understanding.

He advised Nigerian subsidiaries of two multi national telecommunications companies on the transfer of employees from one of the companies to the other in the course of a corporate restructuring. He has also represented international airlines during negotiation on lay-off plans and structured redundancy, retirement, out-sourcing, termination and re-hire, re-deployment and termination plans of employees.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 263 6957

jumoke.lambo@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: The “excellent” Jumoke Lambo is singled out by market sources as “a bril liant lawyer in the employment space”.

NIPOST Towers, First Floor Plot 98 Adeola Odeku Street Lagos Tel: +234 0 809 695 5974 ose.okpeku@thelawcrest.com www.thelawcrest.com

WWL says: Oseinoma Okpeku is singled out by sources as a leading name in the market, renowned for his “in-depth knowledge of labour and employment law” and “invaluable experience handling labour disputes”.

DIRECTORY

Uzoma Azikiwe*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org

Mary Ekemezie

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie mary.ekemezie@uubo.org

Tonye Krukrubo*

Aluko & Oyebode tonye.krukrubo@aluko-oyebode.com

Folabi Kuti*

Perchstone & Graeys folabikuti@perchstoneandgraeys.com

Jumoke Lambo*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie jumoke.lambo@uubo.org

Adekunle Obebe

Ola is a member of Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria and INSOL International. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK and Nigeria, as well as an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Dayo Adu

Famsville Solicitors dayo.adu@famsvillesolicitors.com

Dan Agbor*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Olumide Aju F O Akinrele & Co olumide-aju@foakinrele.com

Olumide Akpata Templars olu.akpata@templars-law.com

Bimbo Atilola Hybrid Solicitors bimboatilola@hybridsolicitors.com

Bloomfield Law Practice kunleobebe@bloomfield-law.com

Oseinoma Okpeku* The Law Crest LLP ose.okpeku@thelawcrest.com

Ola Orewale* AÉLEX oorewale@aelex.com

Sam Orji Ikeyi Shittu & Co sorji@ikeyishittuco.com

Ijeoma Uju Templars ijeoma.uju@templars-law.com

Inam Wilson Templars inam.wilson@templars-law.com

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7321 oorewale@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Ola Orewale excels across a wide range of labour matters, including contracts of service, restructurings and employment disputes.

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

LITIGATION

Here, we recognise 33 individuals who are identified for their outstanding work handling complex and high-profile contentious proceedings across a diverse range of industries.

Most Highly Regarded

Funke Adekoya SAN AÉLEX Lagos

Charles Adeyemi CandideJohnson SAN Strachan Partners Lagos

Aluko & Oyebode sees four listings here.

Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN is a highly experienced litigator focusing on disputes related to M&A transactions, banking and finance matters.

Market sources commend Mark Mordi as a leading light in the litigation arena who is considered an authority on trademark-re lated litigation.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb is an accomplished litigator with a wealth of experience in corporate restructuring and insolvency proceedings.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom garners praise for his strong track-record handling tax-related disputes in the oil and gas sector.

Charles Adeyemi CandideJohnson SAN at Strachan Partners is highly commended for his profound expertise in international and domestic disputes, including transactions and investments in Nigeria.

Funke Adekoya SAN at AÉLEX is highly sought after for her exceptional work on complex commercial disputes in the oil and gas sector.

Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN earns wide spread plaudits from peers for his “depth of research, razor-sharp focus on details, responsiveness and passion for excellence”.

Babajide Ogundipe with Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore is a highly regarded liti gator with extensive experience in complex commercial disputes, including fraud and asset recovery matters.

The “legendary” Ebun Olusegun Sofunde SAN is renowned in Nigeria for his extensive experience handling commercial and public law disputes.

At SPA Ajibade & Co, Babatunde Ajibade SAN is held in high regard for his outstanding work on all aspects of corporate and commercial litigation acting on complex shareholder disputes.

Fidelis Oditah QC SAN from Fidelis Oditah & Co is a seasoned litigator who provides firstrate advice to clients across the energy and power sectors.

Demola Akinrele SAN from F O Akinrele & Co is renowned for his considerable experi ence in commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Kola Awodein SAN at Kola Awodein & Co excels at handling disputes and transactions across a range of sectors, including energy, tax, banking and finance.

Dorothy Ufot & Co’s Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN is held in high esteem by market respond ents who highlight her wealth of experience handling the full spectrum of litigation-re lated matters.

Funke Agbor from Dentons ACAS-Law is well regarded by peers for her standout work on energy and transport-related disputes.

From Babalakin & Co, Olawale Adeola Akoni SAN is distinguished among peers

Babajide O Ogundipe Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore Lagos

who applaud him for his expert handling of disputes in the oil and gas sector.

Founding partner, Paul Usoro SAN at Paul Usoro & Co holds over three decades of experience advising domestic and interna tional clients on a broad range of commercial transactions.

Miannaya Aja Essien SAN with Principles Law Partnership is a standout figure in the commercial litigation arena who is high lighted by peers for her experience in the oil and gas, finance and insurance sectors.

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN from Olaniwun Ajayi ranks highly among peers thanks to his top-tier litigation practice which sees him handle a range of complex commercial disputes.

Gbolahan Elias SAN at G Elias & Co is singled out by market sources as “a household name in the litigation space” due to his vast experi ence in high-profile cases.

From Olisa Agbakoba Legal, Olisa Agbakoba SAN is a favourite among peers and clients alike, who commend his notable experience before the courts and “attention to detail” in a variety of cases.

Olasupo Shashore SAN at Africa Law Practice holds over 30 years’ experience advising domestic and international clients on commercial and investment litigation in the Nigerian market.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb

Aluko & Oyebode

Adeniyi Adegbonmire is a partner in the litigation and ADR department of Aluko & Oyebode. Adeniyi obtained a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB, honours) from the University of Ife, Ile Ife in 1987. Adeniyi is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

In 2015, Adeniyi was elevated to the prestig ious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Nigerian equivalent of a UK Queen’s Counsel.

Adeniyi heads the firm’s insolvency, business recovery and debt recovery practice and advises on all aspects of insolvency law. He has acted as both receiver/manager and counsel to credi tors in receivership, winding up and bankruptcy proceedings.

Adeniyi has a very pragmatic approach to dispute resolution and strategy and has deployed this approach and his wealth of experience in providing legal advice to local and multinational companies involved in insolvency litigation.

Adeniyi was appointed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to act as the receiver/manager of Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian airline. As receiver/ manager, Adeniyi has successfully managed the operations of the company, with the support of a professional management and technical team. The firm has also been retained as counsel to AMCON in proceedings instituted to prevent any unlawful interference with the receivership.

Adeniyi also successfully represented AMCON in its efforts to recover a debt of approximately 4.3 billion naira from Shoreline Power Company Limited, two of its affiliated companies and two of its directors.

Funke Adekoya SAN AÉLEX

‘Funke Adekoya heads the arbitration practice group at AELEX. AELEX is a full-service law firm with offices in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja in Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana.

With 45 years’ experience in commercial dispute resolution, she is frequently appointed to arbitral tribunals, either as sole or party-ap pointed arbitrator conducting proceedings under the rules of the ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL and LMAA. Arbitrations in which she has been involved range from disputes arising from gas sales agreements, oil rig supply contracts to joint ventures in construc tion and real estate.

Her recent appointments have been in disputes brought under the ambit of either a BIT or an invest ment agreement. She was most recently appointed by the State party as arbitrator in an investment dispute between the purchasers of a monopoly electricity producer and the State in one case and in another case, the dispute was between an investor alleging breach of a mining contract by a State and the subse quent cancellation of the investor’s mining licence.

She also advises clients on award enforcement issues within Nigeria and leads the counsel team in arbitration-related litigation.

Funke is a fellow and has achieved chartered arbitrator status at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London and has served as the chair of its Nigerian branch. She was a founding board member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and a former member and a past vice president of the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

Funke is listed on various panels, including the ICSID chairman’s panel of arbitrators; those of CIETAC, the Kigali International Arbitration Centre, the Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and the panel of neutrals of both the Lagos Multi-Door Court House and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

She has been invited to conduct arbitra tion training courses in Accra, Ghana and Kigali, Rwanda and is a regular speaker on arbitration law and practice both within and outside Nigeria.

She holds both Nigerian and British nationality and in addition to her being called to the Nigerian bar, she is qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales. She also holds an LLM from the Harvard Law School (1977) and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2001.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive

Ikoyi Lagos, 101233

Tel: +234 803 402 0536

adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb is an accomplished litigator with a wealth of experience in corporate restruc turing and insolvency proceedings.

Her other memberships include the London Court of International Arbitration African Users Council and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration where she sits on the board of Trustees. She is also a member and past vice president of the governing board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, in addition to being a member of the African Users Council of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. She is a member of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa’s International Arbitration Rules Drafting Committee’s Advisory Board and the International Appointments Committee of the Scottish Arbitration Centre.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7321 oadekoya@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Funke Adekoya SAN is highly sought after for her exceptional work on complex commercial disputes in the oil and gas sector.

Olisa Agbakoba SAN

Olisa Agbakoba Legal

Dr. Agbakoba is the Senior Partner and Head of the Arbitration and ADR practice group in Olisa Agbakoba Legal. He is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

Dr. Agbakoba is one of Nigeria’s leading experts in Arbitration and has presided over several complex arbitration.He is the brain behind the first Law Firm Annexed Arbitration/ Mediation Centre in Lagos (Nigeria), the Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) Arbitration & Mediation Centre. He has showcased his brilliance as a Counsel and an Arbitrator in major National and Cross border disputes relating to Aviation (Airport Terminal Concessions) Vessel Charter, Maritime Collision, Oil wells and Rigs, Telecommunications, Housing Development and Construction respectively.He has championed legal reforms in arbitration in Nigeria including the establishment of industry specific arbitration centres in maritime, construction, energy, tele communications and entertainment sectors. He also played a major role in the establishment of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and reforms of the Lagos State Arbitration Rules. He designed the ADR Mechanism and Rules for the Asset Management and Recovery for Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In recognition of his contribution to the growth of Arbitration in Nigeria, Dr Agbakoba was appointed as the Chair of the National Arbitration Policy Committee set of by the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2020 to advise the government on strategic policies to enhance Nigeria’s arbitration landscape.

Dr. Agbakoba was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (2006-2008) and in 1987 founded the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) of which he was the president from 1987 to 1995. He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Instituteof Chartered Arbitrators and the Vice President of the Institute.He is also theL egal Adviser to the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) and a life member of the Body of Benchers. He is a member of the African Arbitration Association (AfAA) and also a member of its Advocacy Committee working to increase the visibility of African Arbitrators. He is a member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and listed as an Arbitrator at the Lagos Court of Arbitration. He is at present working with the Nigerian Economic Summit group for the creation of a Center for Sport Arbitration in Nigeria.

Dr. Agbakoba is an expert and pioneer in the field of Space Law and Regulation in Nigeria. He has a long history of working with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), theNational Assembly, policymakers, and, in particular, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to help strengthen the legal, institutional, and regulatory framework that governs Space activities in Nigeria

As a space lawyer, Dr. Agbakoba has devel oped a legal framework for space administration in light of growing private sector interest in space and to attract investment. His work has had a significant impact on the way Nigeria treats space activities and regulations and has worked together with NASRDA in the enactment of Regulation on Licensing and Supervision of Space Activities, 2015 (Vol.108, No.106, of 28th September 2021. This includes reviewing and analyzing the current space policy

Uzoma Azikiwe Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is a partner and the head of UUBO’s Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Uzoma was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England on 14th December 2020.

With over 34 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, arbitrator, mediator and conciliator, Uzoma provides advice in maritime, aviation, employment and energy matters. His specialisa tions include advising multinationals on oil, gas and environmental matters, the provision, manning and maintenance of vessels, cabotage issues, tele communications, construction, administrative and constitutional law.

He trained as an International Commercial Arbitrator with several Nigerian and interna tional arbitration organisations including the ICC Institute of World Business Law, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigeria), and Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliation. He obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration at St Anne’s College, Oxford, United Kingdom and has benefitted from PIDA training in International Commercial Arbitration, PIDA training in International Commercial Contracts and training by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Uzoma makes presentations, presents depo sitions and gives evidence as a legal expert on Nigerian law before various foreign courts. Most recently, he appeared in this capacity before the High Court of Justice in England (in the 2009 case of Dornoch Limited & Others -v- Westminster International BV & Others) and presented a depo sition on Nigerian law in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, USA in the case of Harry A. Akande –v- TransAmerica Airlines Inc & Others. Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is the Lead Counsel in providing legal advisory services to and representa tion of British Airways in Nigeria.

Maritime Complex 34 Creek Road, Apapa Lagos Tel: +234 1 7750985 olisa@oal.law www.oal.law

WWL says: Olisa Agbakoba SAN is a favourite among peers and clients alike, who commend his notable experience before the courts and “attention to detail” in a variety of cases.

He has published articles on commercial law including “The Doctrine of Undisclosed Agency Revisited”, environmental law and arbitration. He presents papers at and conducts seminars for various major service companies in the oil industry in Nigeria on employment and labour matters.

To the extent that can be disclosed, the following are some of the matters that Uzoma has recently worked on:

He led the team and defended Statoil in a USD 230 million Supreme Court claim, where the Supreme Court, in allowing the appeal, dismissed the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He advises General Electric in a USD 19 million Federal High Court case, which has thrown up several interesting legal issues and has given rise to one Supreme Court decision and four Court of Appeal judgments which have enriched Nigerian jurisprudence.

He was an arbitrator in a dispute between Habila Resources Limited and Daewoo Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract for the dredging of Cawthorne Channels 2 & 3 Flow Stations, Awoba Flow Station and Krakrama Flow Station.

He recently defended (successfully) a foremost Accounting, Auditing, Consulting and a Financial Services firm in an ad- hoc arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

He recently represented a German multina tional oil and gas drilling company in an arbitration under the ICC Rules Case No. 22243/TO in respect of a claim against a Nigerian oil and gas company for the recovery of unpaid invoices of over US$20 Million in connection with a drilling contract.

He recently advised an international telecom munications giant on sundry Nigerian law issues that arose in several enforcements and set aside litigation in various Nigerian courts in relation to an UNCITRAL arbitral award.

He advised a Swiss oil and gas trading company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with a Lagos seated ad- hoc arbitration proceedings in relation to a jetty utilisation agreement.

Gbolahan Elias is a partner in G Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms. He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for 15 years and is a member of several distinguished professional bodies. These include the International Academy of Defense Counsel and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

He read law at Oxford University and was called to the New York Bar in 1990. His work is recognized and commended in leading directories such as The Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global

He has been active in a wide range of major court business litigation in both trial and appellate courts for nearly three decades. In these cases, he has represented businesses both foreign and Nigerian, multilateral institutions, individuals and, occasionally, government clients in “must win”, complex and large cases.

His most significant recent work has been as counsel in major arbitrations against the Federal Government at the ICC in London and at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. He also sits on arbitral panels as an arbitrator, and advises individuals and businesses facing hostile investigations.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 277 4920 / 2719811 / 2719812 / +234 1 2774921 uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Uzoma Azikiwe SAN is a prominent name in the market with a strong track-re cord handling a broad range of commercial disputes.

6 Broad Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4607890

gbolahan.elias@gelias.com www.gelias.com

WWL says: Gbolahan Elias SAN is singled out by market sources as “a household name in the litigation space” due to his vast experi ence in high-profile cases.

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co

Miannaya Aja Essien SAN Principles Law Partnership

Miannaya Aja Essien, SAN, FCIArb, Chartered Arbitrator and notary public, is the managing partner and one of the founders of Principles Law Partnership, a firm of legal practitioners, arbi trators and notaries public with offices in Port Harcourt and Lagos, Nigeria.

She is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Lagos, Lagos Nigeria and obtained her LLB (hons) and LLM respectively in 1984 and 1991. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in August 1985. As counsel she leads complex corporate and commercial dispute resolution matters in Nigeria and internationally across the oil and gas, finance and insurance sectors. She also acts as sole arbitrator, panel member or as chairman of various arbitral panels. She also provides expert evidence on Nigerian Law.

Miannaya was made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2007. She is a chartered arbitrator and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). She is a past chairperson of the Port Harcourt chapter, a branch committee member of the Nigerian Branch and an approved tutor of the institute. She is a member and past chairperson of the Section on Legal Practice of the Nigerian Bar Association. She is a member of several other associations including the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch), the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, LCIA (African Users’ Council), ICCA and the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She is included on the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ panel of arbitrators and is a member of the board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. She is a member of Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association.

She lectures at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, where she is a member of the adjunct faculty. She has contributed several scholarly articles to legal publications and is a regular resource person at seminars, workshops and conferences.

Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN Aluko & Oyebode

Babatunde Fagbohunlu is a partner and the head of the litigation, arbitration and ADR practice group in Aluko & Oyebode. In December 2008, Tunde was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Nigerian Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (the Nigerian equivalent of Queen’s Counsel).

Tunde regularly represents Nigerian as well as foreign and multinational clients in ad hoc arbi trations and arbitrations administered by arbitral institutions. He has also acted as an arbitrator at several ad-hoc arbitral tribunals as well as arbitra tions administered by the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the London Court of International Arbitration (African Users Council), the International Arbitration Institute (IAI) in Paris and has served on the LCIA Court. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and chairs the board of directors of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).

His publications on arbitration include: Arbitration in Africa: A Review of Key Jurisdictions (Sweet & Maxwell, 2016; co-authored with John Miles and Kamal Shah); “A Case for a Different Analytical Approach to the Enforcement of International Arbitration Agreements: The MV Lupex in Perspective” (Appellate Review, volume 1, page 81, 2009) and “The Principle of Limited Court Intervention Survives in Nigeria … But How Far Will the Courts Go?” (Kluwer Arbitration Blog 2 August 2013, http://kluwerarbitrationblog.com/ blog/author/tundefagbohunlu/).

Alternate Office: Plot 1A, Olori Muyibat Oyefusi Street, Off Omorinre Johnson Street, Lekki Phase 1

Lagos Tel: +234 01 290 6708

7A Bishop Dimieri Street GRA Phase 2 Port Harcourt

Tel: +234 84 302576 / +234 1 2906708 miaessien@principleslaw.com www.principleslaw.com

WWL says: Miannaya Aja Essien SAN is a standout figure in the commercial litigation arena who is highlighted by peers for her experience in the oil and gas, finance and insur ance sectors.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0537

tunde.fagbohunlu@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN is a highly experienced litigator focusing on disputes related to M&A transactions, banking and finance matters.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom FCTI Aluko & Oyebode

Chukwuka Ikwuazom is a partner in the disputes practice of Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s taxation practice.

Chukwuka has considerable tax advisory and adjudicatory experience. He renders ongoing tax advice to the firm’s clients, particularly in the oil and gas sector. He manages the firm’s tax litigation portfolio, which includes several appeals before the Tax Appeal Tribunal and other superior courts in Nigeria. He has won landmark tax cases including judgments on the deductibility of interest paid on related party loans, the proper application of the claw-back provisions of the Nigerian Petroleum Profits Tax Act, the exemption from tax of the profits of a company engaged in educational activities of a public character and the taxation of a non-resident company in Nigeria. He is leading the team that is defending an international oil trading company in one of the largest tax claims in Nigeria. The value of the claim is US$ 648,536,470.40.

Chukwuka was a key member of the team that acted (as co-counsel) with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in an ad-hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules of Arbitration in respect of a dispute arising from a deep offshore Production Sharing Contract. The arbitration involved signif icant tax issues.

Chukwuka is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Chukwuka was elected the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch in July 2017 for a two-year term. He is also a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC).

Chukwuka was educated at the University of Nigeria (LLB) and Columbia University, New York (LLM). He is admitted to both the Nigerian and the New York State Bars.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 3037 chukwuka.ikwuazom@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN is a highly experienced litigator focusing on disputes related to M&A transactions, banking and finance matters.

Mark Mordi Aluko & Oyebode

Mark joined Aluko & Oyebode in 1995 and became a litigation partner with the firm in 2003.

He is a currently a partner and core member of the firm’s litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice group and is team lead in intellectual property enforcement matters, maritime and aviation matters.

Mark specializes in commercial litigation and his work experience spans through an extensive range of issues, including those pertaining oil and gas, admiralty, intellectual property, construction contracts, aviation, franchising dispute, debt recov eries, finance and banking, commercial law trans actions, stock market infractions and general civil litigation matters both at the trial and appellate levels.

Mark is involved in preparation and arguing of processes for opposition proceedings before the Trademark Registry, civil matters including contract, tort, property, and corporate disputes, as well as criminal matters, and renders anticounter feiting advice.

Among memberships of note, Mark is a member of the anti-counterfeiting committee of the International Trademarks Association; member of the panel of neutrals at the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); he is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK and an accredited medi ator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK. The Intellectual Market Place Analysis 2013 describes him as an “excellent negotiator” and a “formidable litigator”.

Mark has an LLB (honours) from the University of Benin (1988). He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.

Babajide O Ogundipe

Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore

Babajide Ogundipe obtained his LLB from the University of London in 1978 and was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1979. After nine years at Chief Rotimi Williams’ Chambers, he co-founded Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore in 1989. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators since 1994, he held various positions in the Nigerian branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators between 1997 and 2009, serving as chairman from 2006 to 2009. He is currently on the board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, having served as its president from 2010 to 2014.

Asset recovery is a major part of his work as a litigator, and he has represented numerous clients seeking to recover assets lost due to fraud and other misfeasance. With this experience, he is recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading lawyers in the field.

As arbitrator, he has been appointed in cases involving oil and gas-related engineering and explo ration issues, the provision of marine and aviation services, insurance, road and building construc tion, airline agency commissions, sports sponsor ships, defence contracts and electricity generation, conducted under the UNCITRAL based rules of Nigeria’s Arbitration and Conciliation Act, ICC Arbitration Rules, UNCITRAL rules in LCIA admin istered arbitrations and the rules of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.

A frequent speaker at conferences on arbi tration, anti-corruption and asset recovery issues and the regulation of the legal profession, he is ICC FraudNet’s Nigeria representative. He is an active member of the International Bar Association and served for several years as an officer of the anti-corruption and regulation of lawyers’ compli ance committees.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 422 4068 mark.mordi@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Market sources commend Mark Mordi as a leading light in the litigation arena who is considered an authority on trade mark-related litigation.

7th Floor, St Nicholas House Catholic Mission Street, PO Box 80367 Lagos, 101231

Tel: +234 1 462 2502

boogundipe@sooblaw.com www.sooblaw.com

WWL says: Babajide Ogundipe is a highly regarded litigator with extensive experience in complex commercial disputes, including fraud and asset recovery matters.

Olasupo Shasore SAN

Africa Law Practice

Olasupo Shasore, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and founding partner at ALP NG & Co with over three decades of experience in legal prac tice. He is frequently instructed as lead counsel in diverse commercial and public sector disputes. Acted for sovereign, sub-national and private international parties in international commercial & investment arbitration and litigation. He has significant experience in investor- state arbitration, and other investment related disputes; frequently appointed arbitrator expert on Nigerian Law; ship ping & maritime law, and advises on risk in mining and natural resources.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, He was the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State (2017 -2011), past Chairman, Arbitration and ADR Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law, former pioneer vice president of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria and Former President of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. He was admitted as an arbitrator Energy Disputes Arbitration Centre in Turkey and as a Pioneer member of The Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is a member of the London Court of International Arbitration Africa User Group.

Shasore’s practice areas include Litigation & Arbitration Maritime & Shipping Law, Energy, Natural Resources & Infrastructure, Commercial Law.

He is also an author: Commercial ArbitrationArbitration Law and International Practice in Nigeria (2011); Lexis Nexis (Johnson & Shasore); Jurisdiction and Sovereign Immunity in Nigerian Commercial Law (NIIA 2007); Ministering Justice: Administration of Law & Justice in Nigeria (Quramo 2018 Shasore & Bello) (2019).

Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN AÉLEX

Dapo is a partner in the dispute resolution practice group at AÉLEX. His practice is focused on reso lution of disputes relating to foreign direct invest ments, tax, transportation, mining, and banking and finance matters. He has over 27 years’ experience in commercial litigation and arbitration and has acted as counsel or as arbitrator in several disputes. He has practised extensively before all the superior courts of record in Nigeria.

He advises clients from around the world on direct or portfolio foreign investment and legal issues relating to insolvency, receivership and corporate liquidation. He represents international flag carriers in matters ranging from passenger, cargo and baggage claims to insurance disputes.

He is recognised by The Legal 500 EMEA (2015) as having “extensive experience in commercial liti gation and arbitration.”

He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation. He is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, the International Bar Association and the London Court of International Arbitration (African users’ council). He is on the Kigali International Arbitration Centre’s panel of inter national arbitrators.

Dapo graduated from the University of Benin in 1987 and holds a Master’s of Laws degree (LLM) from the University of Lagos (2003). He was admitted to practise law in Nigeria in 1988, and in England and Wales in 2009. He was appointed a notary public in 2006.

Ms. Ufot is the founding partner of the leading Nigerian firm Dorothy Ufot & Co. (established in 1994) where she heads the international arbitration and litigation departments of the firm.

Dorothy specialises in international arbitration, litigation and other forms of dispute resolution, including investment treaty arbitration, enforce ment of foreign arbitral awards, investment consulting, corporate and commercial law.

In 2009, Dorothy was elevated to the pres tigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) (equivalent to Queen’s Counsel), in recognition of her vast work in commercial litigation.

Dorothy is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (CIArb) and a chartered arbitrator. She is a former member of the Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Paris (2006-2018), and a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Casablanca International Mediation and Arbitration Centre Morocco, since 2016.

Dorothy was designated to serve a six-year term on the panel of arbitrators of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in February 2017.

She is a former global vice president of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, and currently a member of the council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law and Chair of the arbitration and ADR commission of ICC Nigeria as well as the treasurer of ICC’s Nigeria committee.

15 Military Street

Onikan Lagos

Tel: +234 1 700 2570 - 9 oshasore@alp.company www.alp.company

WWL says: Olasupo Shashore SAN holds over 30 years’ experience advising domestic and international clients on commercial and investment litigation in the Nigerian market.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: 234 1 279 3365 atolowu@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN earns widespread plaudits from peers for his “depth of research, razor-sharp focus on details, responsiveness and passion for excellence”.

Dorothy is on the panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association (AAA)/ International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), ICSID, KCAB International, CIArb, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (Now AIAC), the Beijing Arbitration Commission/ Beijing International Arbitration Center (BAC/ BIAC),the Lagos Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and the Energy Arbitrators’ List.

Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN Dorothy Ufot & Co

A former vice chair of the arbitration committee of the International Bar Association (IBA), Dorothy served as a council member of the IBA’s legal practice division (2006–2010) and a member of its nominations committee for two terms (2012–2016). She is a member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), ArbitralWomen, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, the International Bar Association (IBA), the London Oil & Gas Arbitration Club and several other profes sional associations.

Dorothy has acted as an arbitrator in several complex, high-volume arbitrations in oil and gas, international construction projects, international supply contracts, infrastructure development, tele communications and financial services. She has been appointed as an arbitrator by major multi national oil corporations, the ICC International Court of Arbitration, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, RCICAL, the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, DIAC, state governments, federal government agencies and large and medium-sized public and private companies in arbitrations taking place in Africa, Europe and the UAE.

Dorothy was a co-arbitrator in a US$3.2 billion oil dispute in respect of some strategic alliance agreements involving the Nigerian state oil entity. Ongoing cases include those of the LCIA in respect of a Shareholders Agreement between an insurance company and the minority shareholders, dispute between an engineering and building maintenance company and a construction company in respect of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract, as well as ongoing litigation in Nigerian trial and appellate courts in respect of the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, including ongoing high profile litigation cases for several Nigerian banks.

She has served as a member of the governing council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and chair of its rules and adjudication committee; and as non-executive director of several companies, including Chevron Oil Nigeria PLC and MRS Oil Nigeria PLC.

Dorothy currently sits on the board of SO&U Limited (one of Nigeria’s premier advertising and media relations companies), Dangote Cement Nigeria PLC (Africa’s largest cement producer), Dangote Cement Ethiopia, the Nigerian Prize for Leadership, the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, and the Nigerian Bar Association General Purpose Committee.

A member of the advisory board of the Journal of International Arbitration, Dorothy is a regular speaker on oil and gas, international arbitra tion, and dispute resolution generally, appearing at several international and local conferences –particularly those organised by the IBA and the Nigerian Bar Association.

She is listed in the ‘New List – Arbitrators of African Descent’. It is noteworthy that Dorothy won the prestigious award of African Arbitrator of the Year 2020, organised by the East Africa International Arbitration Conference in Nairobi, Kenya on 28th August, 2020.

Dorothy is recommended as a leading expert in WWL: Litigation (2009 to 2020). She is fluent in English.

DIRECTORY

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

2nd Floor, Okoi Arikpo House 5 Idowu Taylor Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 463 1723 / 234 1 271 6348 dorothy.ufot@dorothyufotandco.com www.dorothyufotandco.com

WWL says: Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN is held in high esteem by market respondents who highlight her wealth of experience handling the full spectrum of litigation-related matters.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb*

Aluko & Oyebode adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com

Funke Adekoya SAN* AÉLEX oadekoya@aelex.com

Aare Afe Babalola Afe Babalola & Co info@afebabalola.com Olisa Agbakoba SAN* Olisa Agbakoba Legal olisa@oal.law Funke Agbor Dentons ACAS-Law fagbor@acas-law.com Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net Babatunde Ajibade SAN SPA Ajibade & Co bajibade@spaajibade.com Demola Akinrele SAN F O Akinrele & Co demola-akinrele@foakinrele.com Olawale Adeola Akoni SAN Babalakin & Co wakoni@babalakinandco.com Kola Awodein SAN Kola Awodein & Co kolaawodein@kolaawodeinandco.com

Bolaji Ayorinde SAN BA Law LLP chief@ba-law.org Uzoma Azikiwe* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org

Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN Strachan Partners cacj@strachanpartners.com

Aham Eke Ejelam SAN Principles Law Partnership ahamekeejelam@principleslaw.com Gbolahan Elias SAN* G Elias & Co gbolahan.elias@gelias.com

Miannaya Aja Essien SAN* Principles Law Partnership miaessien@principleslaw.com

Babatunde J Fagbohunlu SAN* Aluko & Oyebode tunde.fagbohunlu@aluko-oyebode.com Chukwuka Ikwuazom FCTI* Aluko & Oyebode chukwuka.ikwuazom@aluko-oyebode.com

Biodun Layonu SAN Layonu & Co info@layonuandco.com

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Mark Mordi*

Aluko & Oyebode mark.mordi@aluko-oyebode.com

Isaiah Odeleye

Law Firm of T J Onomigbo Okpoko & Co isaiah1004@yahoo.co.uk

Fidelis Oditah KC SAN Fidelis Oditah & Co fidelisoditah@oditah.com

Babajide O Ogundipe* Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore boogundipe@sooblaw.com

Akin Olujinmi SAN Olujinmi & Akeredolu info@olujinmi-akeredolu.com

Fred Onuobia G Elias & Co fred.onuobia@gelias.com

Theo Chike Osanakpo SAN Dr T C Osanakpo & Co osanakpochike@yahoo.com

Olasupo Shasore SAN* Africa Law Practice oshasore@alp.company Babatunde A Sodipo Ajumogobia & Okeke bsodipo@ajumogobiaokeke.com

Ebun Olusegun Sofunde SAN Sofunde Osakwe Ogundipe & Belgore eosofunde@sooblaw.com

Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN* AÉLEX atolowu@aelex.com

Dorothy Udeme Ufot SAN* Dorothy Ufot & Co dorothy.ufot@dorothyufotandco.com Emmanuel C Ukala SAN E C Ukala & Company lawyerukala@yahoo.com Paul Usoro SAN, FCIArb Paul Usoro & Co paul@paulusoro.com

M&A AND GOVERNANCE

This year, we recognise 31 outstanding individuals for their skill in advising domestic and international clients on the full spectrum of transactional and corporate governance matters.

Banwo & Ighodalo sees five individuals high lighted this year.

Ayotunde Owoigbe is a distinguished figure in the market with over 20 years’ experience handling high-value M&A and financing matters.

Asue Ighodalo is identified by commen tators as one of the leading names in the Nigerian market when it comes to M&A and governance work, and brings significant experience with capital markets and project finance issues to his cases.

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq is a distinguished practitioner who “consistently produces high-quality work on corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, and divestments”.

Isa Alade is an impressive young lawyer in Nigeria’s M&A market, who brings outstanding knowledge of finance regulations to clients’ matters.

Kehinde Ojuawo is identified by sources as a key name in Nigeria for M&A transac tions, and has special expertise in the oil and gas, mining and power sectors.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie performs well with five listings.

Folake Elias-Adebowale earns impres sive endorsements from peers and clients, who describe her as “a well-known M&A lawyer with many years of experience”.

Ozofu Olatunde Ogiemudia is singled out by market commentators for her ster ling work on M&A transactions, as well as private equity, corporate restructurings and regulatory compliance.

Yinka Edu garners plaudits as “a well-re spected and experienced lawyer” thanks

to her adept handling of complex M&A transactions.

Dan Agbor is a top name in M&A practice and draws on experience working on some of the most notable M&A cases in Nigeria’s banking sector.

Aniekan Ukpanah enjoys a fantastic reputation in the market for his expert advice on M&A matters for clients in the finance and construction industries.

Olaniwun Ajayi excels with five listings in this chapter.

Wolemi Esan is highly regarded for his top-tier practice advising clients on M&A transactions and corporate restructurings.

Peers and clients commend Konyinsola Ajayi for his extensive experience advising domestic and international clients on finan cial transactions and related litigation.

Tominiyi Owolabi is well versed in resolving complex corporate M&A transac tions, asset acquisition and project finance matters.

The “exceptional” Olumayowa Arokodare with TOLG Advisors receives strong praise from peers and clients alike for his “ability to provide solutions to complex legal issues”.

Gbolahan Elias at G Elias & Co is singled out by market commentators as a standout transactions specialist, who has impressive experience with high-value M&A matters in Nigeria.

Segun Omoregie is a go-to name for M&A matters involving complex corporate restruc turings and a broad range of transactions.

From AÉLEX, Chinyerugo Ugoji is well versed in corporate and transactional matters and possesses “in-depth legal knowledge on all relevant and evolving M&A laws”.

Theophilus Emuwa earns plaudits for his impeccable knowledge of complex crossborder transactions and tax disputes.

Chike Obianwu from Templars is held in high esteem for his deep knowledge and experi ence advising corporate clients on transac tions and restructuring matters.

OAKE Legal’s Sola Arifayan earns worldwide endorsements as a leading M&A lawyer who regularly advises on major infrastructure and financing projects in the region.

Olumide Akpata receives high praise for his long-standing experience advising inter national clients on M&A and joint venture agreements.

At Aluko & Oyebode, Olubunmi Fayokun is a favourite M&A lawyer among peers and clients, and has over 20 years of experience that spans corporate transactions and debt capital markets matters.

Oghogho Makinde stands out in the inter national marketplace for her top-tier advice on M&A and corporate governance issues.

Dolapo Kukoyi from Detail Commercial Solicitors is an outstanding practitioner with a wealth of experience advising clients in the energy and fintech sectors on corporate transactions.

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.

He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establishment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transac tions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guar antees. He serves on the boards of various compa nies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

Isa Alade

Banwo & Ighodalo

Isa Alade is a Partner at Banwo & Ighodalo. He obtained his LL.B and LL.M degrees from the University of Lagos and was admitted into the Nigerian Bar in 2005. He is an alumnus of the International Law Institute – Washington (ILI) and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. His core areas of practice are Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking & Finance, Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Securities and Capital Markets and FinTech.

Isa is a non-executive director on the boards of Wakanow.Com Limited, BT Payments Services Limited and Oakwood Gambia Holdings Limited (the holding company for Skye Bank Gambia Limited). He is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by Chambers, and IFLR1000.

St. Nicholas House (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Dan Agbor is a top name in M&A practice and draws on experience working on some of the most notable M&A cases in Nigeria’s banking sector.

Isa has advised on several mergers and acquisition transaction over the last 16 years in Nigeria. He is the Lead Partner in a number of merger and acquisition transactions cutting across: the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), manufacturing, healthcare and financial services sectors. Some of the key transactions he led include: MasterCard’s recently completed US$100 Million investment in Airtel Mobile Commerce BV; Oakwood Green Capital Limited’s acquisition of various banks/financial services companies in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana; Sygen Pharmaceuticals Limited’s acquisi tion of the assets of Nigerian-German Chemicals Plc; Carlyle Group’s acquisition of Wakanow.com Limited and its related/affiliated companies; United Parcel Services (UPS)’ acquisition of outstanding minority stakes in its Nigerian subsidiary; Norfund (Norwegian Investment Fund for developing coun tries) indirect equity investment in Sundry Foods Limited, Nigerian component of AON Plc proposed merger with Willis Towers Watson Plc; Nigerian component of Viasat, Inc.’s merger with RigNet, Inc.; INTL FCStone (now StoneX Group) acquisition of Tellimer Capital Limited; as well as the intragroup restructuring transactions undertaken by TP ICAP Plc, Mouka Limited, Greenwich Trust Limited, and Main One Cable Company Limited. He is also currently advising on the establishment and regis tration of four (4) separate private equity funds by different promoters in Nigeria focused on invest ment in assets/companies in Nigeria.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: 0906 000 3561-2

ialade@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Isa Alade is an impressive young lawyer in Nigeria’s M&A market, who brings outstanding knowledge of finance regulations to clients’ matters.

Sola Arifayan

OAKE Legal

Sola leads OAKE Legal’s project development & finance, as well as energy, infrastructure, and util ities practices. He regularly provides advice and support on major infrastructure and financing projects and is recognised, not just for the depth of his legal knowledge and skills, but also for his ability to devise innovative solutions for everyday business problems.

He is a leading authority on Nigerian elec tricity law and has advised governments, the regu lator, project developers and investors, on several aspects of the Nigerian energy sector. He regu larly advises on development of new power projects and restructuring and privatisation of several brownfield power projects across all fuel types. He also supported the deployment of a broad band fibre infrastructure throughout the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory and advised on grant of a concession for a unified fibre duct infrastructure for Nigeria’s largest metropolitan area, and the implementation of a dig-once policy for the state.

He also routinely advises investors, including private equity funds on foreign investment into and divestment from Nigeria and has led several acquisition engagements from preliminary deal structuring through to post-completion support.

Sola was educated at the University of Lagos (LLB) and is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He sits on the board of several compa nies, including Tak Agro Plc and Jos Electricity Distribution Plc.

Kofo Dosekun

Aluko & Oyebode

Kofo leads the firm’s corporate and commercial, banking and corporate finance practices and advises on a broad range of financing and commer cial transactions including project finance, cross boarder and local syndicated lending, private equity, energy, public private partnerships and structured trade finance. She also advises on risk mitigation, financial regulatory compliance, foreign invest ment and derivatives, mergers and acquisitions and restructurings in the energy, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors.

Kofo acted as a lead counsel to MTN in its 200-billion-naira facility from a syndicate of Nigerian banks. She also acted as lead counsel to a syndicate of onshore and offshore lenders in connection with the provision of a US$2 billion senior secured medium-term financing facility to Aiteo Eastern E&P for the acquisition of a 45 per cent interest in OML 29. She led the team in Nigeria that advised Indorama on the US$1 billion financing of its fertiliser plant. She also led the team that advised the sponsors in connection with the restructuring of the US$1.2 billion NGLII financing, and the US$600 million satellite field oil financing.

Kofo has worked on several award-winning transactions and continues to advise various financial institutions operating in the Nigerian market, including Citibank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Commerzbank.

Kofo has an LLB (honours) from the University of Ife and an LLM from King’s College London. She is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a member of the International Bar Association.

Yinka Edu is a Partner in the firm’s Banking & Finance team, and heads the firm’s Capital Markets team. She has been involved in a range of financial and capital markets transactions, including advising on the first global depositary receipts programme, the first Eurobond issuance by a Nigerian Corporate, and the establishment of the first ETF to be listed in Nigeria.She regu larly advises on the establishment of mutual funds, derivatives transactions and public Merger & Acquisition transactions. She also advises on issues relating to the Nigerian bond market, and on compliance issues in connection with banking and capital market assignments, many of which, being innovative or new to Nigeria, often require skilled liaison with our regulatory authorities. She was a core member of the team that advised several local banks with the 2008 banking consolidation merg ers.Yinka has published articles in Getting the Deal Through - Securities Finance - Nigeria, and in The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Mergers & Acquisitions. She presents papers and conducts seminars at the IBA Conferences on security for bank lending and on capital markets’ issues. She chairs the Capital Markets’ Solicitors Association of Nigeria, and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law Competition Committee.Yinka is the only Nigerian lawyer to be ranked Tier 1 in Chambers and Partners for fintech work. She is also ranked by Chambers Global for her expertise in banking & finance and corporate/ commercial practice, and is commended for her banking and finance and capital markets work in Who’s Who Legal. She sits on the board of several companies.

5th Floor, AIICO Plaza, Plot PC12 Churchgate Street Victoria Island Lagos Tel: +234 1 453 6900 sarifayan@oakelegal.com

WWL says: Sola Arifayan earns worldwide endorsements as a leading M&A lawyer who regularly advises on major infrastructure and financing projects in the region.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0532 kofo.dosekun@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Chair of the firm Kofo Dosekun comes with extensive recommendations for her M&A practice from peers and clients, due to her excellent record with corporate transactions.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 12 yinka.edu@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Yinka Edu garners plaudits as “a well-respected and experienced lawyer” thanks to her adept handling of complex M&A transactions.

Yinka Edu Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co

Gbolahan Elias is a partner in G Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms. He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for 15 years and is a member of several distinguished professional bodies. These include the International Academy of Defense Counsel and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

His work is recognized and commended in leading directories such as The Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global

He has advised on major M&A deals with a wide range of deal structures and key issues, and in virtually every sector: insurance; oilfield service; banking; gaming; building materials; oil exploration and production; consumer goods; electric power; transport; media and entertainment; hospitality; real estate; and telecommunications.

He has also been a significant thought-leader publishing major papers in this field as well as working to establish the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section of Business Law Committee on Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Re-organizations. He was the first chairman of that Committee.

Folake Elias-Adebowale Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s M&A, private equity, and oil and gas teams. Her specialisations include cross-border and domestic equity and asset acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructuring, investments, financing for energy, manufacturing, and industrial projects, and compliance across diverse sectors.

She serves on the legal committees of the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association of Nigeria, where she is also a founding board member and participates in the PEVCA-SEC sub-committee reviewing private equity regu lations in Nigeria. She has also been a member of the GPCA and AVCA legal committees. She headed a legal and regulatory sub-committee of the Federal Minister for Industry Trade and Investment’s Nigerian Private Equity and Venture Capital Development project established to make recommendations for boosting private equity and venture capital activity in Nigeria. Her regulatory review and advocacy practice have also included assisting with the review of, and preparation of draft legislation for the downstream gas sector. She is recognised as an IFLR1000 Women Leader 2022 and commended by The Lawyer’s Africa Elite Private Equity special report. She is ranked for her practice area specialisations by The IFLR1000, Chambers Global, Chambers Global (Fintech), The Legal500, Who’s Who Legal (Global M&A & Governance), and Who’s Who Legal (Nigeria) and is named as one of twenty outstanding Nigerian women in business law by BusinessDay.

Theo is widely acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s leading tax lawyers. His tax advisory profile spans across all types of income taxes as well as capital gains tax, and indirect taxes such as VAT, sales tax, customs and excise duties, and stamp duty.

He was for several years the chair of the tax committee of the section on business law of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is a member of the taxation section of the IBA, and is currently the vice chair of the International Fiscal Association, Nigeria.

A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Theo served as the vice chair of the tax law review committee of the institute. Also, he contributed the chapter on International Taxation in the first edition of CITN Nigerian Tax Guides and Statutes. He was formerly the deputy editor of the Nigerian Tax Notes.

Theo is admitted to practise law in England and Wales, Nigeria and Ghana.

He holds both a BSc (1979) and an MSc (1980) in engineering from Imperial College London, and is a member of Gray’s Inn, London.

6 Broad Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4607890

gbolahan.elias@gelias.com www.gelias.com

WWL says: Gbolahan Elias is singled out by market commentators as a standout transactions specialist, who has impressive experience with high-value M&A matters in Nigeria.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 4622307 10 folake.adebowale@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Folake Elias-Adebowale earns impressive endorsements from peers and clients, who describe her as “a well-known M&A lawyer with many years of experience”.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 279 3365 tiemuwa@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Theophilus Emuwa earns plaudits for his impeccable knowledge of complex cross-border transactions and tax disputes.

Theophilus I Emuwa AÉLEX

Olubunmi Fayokun

Aluko & Oyebode

Olubunmi Fayokun is a partner at Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s capital markets and M&A practices. She represents top-tier indigenous, international and multinational clients in various sectors, including banking, energy and natural resources, power, insurance, aviation, pharma ceuticals and agriculture.

Olubunmi has advised on several high-profile capital market and M&A transactions, including Africa Finance Corporation’s US$650 million eurobond issuance and US$750 million cash tender offer; the initial public offering of shares by Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc and listing on The Nigerian Stock Exchange; the US$15 million green bond issuance by Access Bank Plc (the first climate board certified corporate green bonds issued in Africa); Nigerian aspects of the US$8.1 billion sale by Unilever Plc of its spreads business; and the 72.5 billion naira merger between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. She is currently advising on a variety of innovative capital market transac tions, including debt issuances by leading Nigerian commercial and merchant banks; and the demutu alisation of The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Olubunmi graduated from the University of Ife in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in law. She was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, and is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association; the International Bar Association; the American Bar Association; the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators; and the Capital Market Solicitors’ Association.

Olubunmi has served on various commit tees established by the Securities and Exchange Commission to promote the development of the Nigerian capital market, and played a key role in the establishment of the Nigerian Association of Securities Dealers’ over-the-counter market.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0534

olubunmi.fayokun@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Olubunmi Fayokun is a favourite M&A lawyer among peers and clients, and has over 20 years of experience that spans corporate transactions and debt capital markets matters.

Asue Ighodalo

Banwo & Ighodalo

Asue Ighodalo is a founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a foremost corporate commercial law firm in Nigeria that is consistently listed in the top tier of several leading Nigerian and international legal directories, publications and journals. He obtained his first degree in economics from the University of Ibadan, and a law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK; he was admitted into the Nigerian Bar in July 1985.

His core areas of practice are capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, corpo rate and project finance, and energy and natural resources, in all of which he possesses extensive experience.

Asue has for many years led the Firm’s advi sory teams in numerous merger and acquisition transactions. Recently, Asue co-led the team that advised Portland Paints and Products Nigeria PLC in connection with its scheme of merger with Chemical and Allied Products PLC, with the former as the surviving entity. He also led the team that advised Investment One Financial Services Limited in connection with the divestment of its entire equity stake in (i) Investment One Funds Management Limited; and (ii) Investment One Pension Managers Limited, to Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc. He also led the team that advised Ketron Investment Limited (a Nigerian company owned by a group of reputable Nigerian investors led by Persianas Investment Limited) on its acquisition of 100% of the equity interest held by Shoprite International Limited in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited.

Asue also advised Dangote Flour Mills PLC (“DFM”) in connection with the acquisition of the entire shareholding of DFM by Olam International Limited through its subsidiary, Crown Flour Mills Limited. He also advised OVH Energy Marketing Limited (“OVH”) in connection with a restructuring of intercompany loan facilities involving the amend ment of facility documents and the novation of loans from OVH to its parent company OVH Energy BV.

He led the team that advised Dangote Cement Plc in connection with the buy-back of 10 per cent of its issued and paid-up share capital. Asue co-led the teams that advised Greenoaks Global Holdings Limited (GGH) in connection with its divestment of its 99.03 per cent equity stake in Ensure Insurance Plc, an insurance company in Nigeria providing composite insurance policies, to Societe Fonciere Europeenne B.V., an affiliate of Allianz SE; and Unilever Nigeria Plc (a member of the Unilever Group) on Nigerian law issues in connection with the proposed divestment of its spreads business to KKR & Co. LP.

Notably, he co-led the team that advised Access Bank PLC in connection with the scheme of merger between Access Bank PLC and Diamond Bank PLC. He also co-led the team that advised Forte Oil Plc in connection with the divestment of Forte Oil Plc’s power generation business under taken through its subsidiary – Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, which holds a 51 per cent stake in Geregu Power Plc, a power generation company in Nigeria, to a related party; and Forte Oil Plc’s divestment of its upstream services busi ness undertaken through Forte Upstream Services Limited, to Gbonka Oil and Gas Limited.

Asue is the Chairman of Sterling Bank, Nigeria Economic Summit Group and Levene Energy Group. He also serves on boards of several other public and private companies and NGOs.

Asue has been consistently ranked as a leading and/or top-tier lawyer by the leading legal direc tories. He has authored many articles in leading law publications, and delivered several presenta tions on diverse subjects of law; and he serves as a mentor to young lawyers globally. His hobbies include golfing, watching football, reading, travel ling and participating in political discourse. He is married and blessed with a daughter.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos Tel: +234 8139841360 8139841361 8139841362 8139841363

aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Asue Ighodalo is identified by commentators as one of the leading names in the Nigerian market when it comes to M&A and governance work, and brings significant expe rience with capital markets and project finance issues to his cases.

Oghogho Makinde Aluko & Oyebode

Oghogho joined the partnership of Aluko & Oyebode in 2003. Her main practice areas are energy and natural resources, public-private partnerships (PPPs), banking and finance, private equity, corpo rate restructuring and divestitures, project/infra structure finance and regulatory compliance. She is the head of the firm’s business advisory practice.

Oghogho has extensive experience in advising operators in the Nigerian natural resources industry in all streams of the sector. She is currently advising on a couple of energy and natural resources transactions, including advising a US international oil and gas services corporation in a JV with a Nigerian partner on the termination of the JV and the buyout of the Nigerian partner which will be implemented over a 36 month period of phased acquisition, the advice includes Nigerian content impact on the JV entity; advising an indigenous oil and gas company in connection with the negotiation of loan facilities to fund the development of new oil wells; advising an international oil and gas company in joint venture with Nigerian partners on the regu latory regime for the release of Nigerian employees and the impact of recent Nigerian court decisions on the validity of the guidelines and procedures on the release of staff in the sector and on the validity of sanctions imposed by the regulator pursuant to the said regulations; advising an international oil and gas company on the renewal and renegotia tion of its production sharing contract and advising clients on the options for mitigating the impacts of the new Deep Offshore Act.

Oghogho received a bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B) from the University of Benin in 1988 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. She has a master’s degree in law (LL.M) from the University of Lagos. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; an associate member of the Energy Institute; a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), the Nigerian Gas Association, and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). She was the sole Nigerian Client Choice Awards winner in 2018 and 2019 and is an “IFLR woman leader” (2018 -2021). She was recently recognised in Who’s Who Legal 2021 as a global leader in energy (oil and gas).

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq is a partner of Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I), a leading law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos, and joined B&I in 2006. She obtained a Diploma (Post Graduate) EU Competition Law from Kings College London Dickson Poon School of Law.

In 2010, she was named as team leader in the firm’s corporate securities and finance practice, with responsibility for managing many of the firm’s most complex and pioneering transactions. She was admitted to the firm’s partnership in January 2017. Her core practice areas are capital markets, M&A and corporate restructurings, Islamic finance, taxation, consumer protection law and competition law having garnered over 13 years of experience working in these fields.

She regularly advises on M&A and corporate restructurings and advised on a number of the acquisition transactions in the banking industry following the repeal of the Universal Banking regime and a number of first-of-their-kind trans actions in the Mergers and Acquisitions space.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234803 402 8360

oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Oghogho Makinde stands out in the international marketplace for her top-tier advice on M&A and corporate governance issues.

Her recent transactions include, amongst others: the merger of Portland Paints and Products Nigeria PLC with Chemical and Allied Paints Plc; African Development Partners 1’s divestment of 8,250,041,027 ordinary shares in the capital of Food Concepts Plc; Olam International Limited’s acqui sition of Dangote Flour Mills Plc, UAC of Nigeria Plc’s divestment of its interest in UACN Property Development Company PLC, Ketron Investment Limited’s acquisition of 100% of the equity interest held by Shoprite International Limited in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited; Unilever Nigeria PLC’s divestment of its tea business, UACN Property Development Company PLC’s distribution of its interest in the UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust to the holders of its ordinary shares and the acquisition of 19.9% equity stake in Interswitch Holdings Limited by Visa International Service Association.

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq Banwo & Ighodalo

lso, she supervises the company secretarial and legal advisory retainers of clients in different sectors including fast-moving consumer goods, agriculture, banking and pharmaceutical industries amongst others.

Azeezah is frequently called upon to partic ipate in the rules’ development initiatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria and the Nigerian Stock Exchange, among others and is actively engaged in rules drafting, policy reform and development in the Nigerian capital markets and mergers and acquisition space.

Azeezah authors articles in leading legal publi cations and delivers presentations on subjects in her core practice areas. She is frequently called upon to share her knowledge and expertise as a participant, facilitator and speaker at professional workshops, trainings and conferences.

Ozofu Olatunde Ogiemudia

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Ozofu Ogiemudia is a partner in Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie’s corporate advisory, private equity, and mergers & acquisitions teams. She is recognised as an extremely resourceful and versatile adviser and has advised on various areas of the law including private equity, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and commercial law, corporate restructuring and regulatory compliance, labour and employment and company secretarial practice. She co-heads the firm’s pro bono practice, which, along with law firms from several other jurisdictions, was awarded the 2018 TrustLaw Collaboration Award by the Thomson Reuters Foundation for their work on the 28 Too Many report on female genital mutilation, as well as the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Award for Africa in 2020.

Ozofu was the secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) from 2020 - 2022 and is a member of its governing council. She is the Thematic Lead of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) Regulatory working group that was set up to assist the National Assembly in identifying and improving bills that relate to any aspect of the regulatory environment.

Kehinde Ojuawo

Banwo & Ighodalo

Kehinde Ojuawo is a leading commercial lawyer with significant experience in advising on complex and market-defining transactions. He is a Partner in Banwo & Ighodalo, a 1st class full service corporate and commercial law firm with offices in Nigeria. He has represented prominent Nigerian and international clients on Energy & Natural Resources (comprising Power, Oil & Gas), Project Finance, Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions and Foreign Investments & Divestments transactions. He is widely acclaimed to be Nigeria’s leading natural resources prepay ment structured finance lawyer.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136

asadiq@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Azeezah Muse-Sadiq is a distin guished practitioner who “consistently produces high-quality work on corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, and divestments”.

She has been recognised annually since 2018 by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) as one of the IFLR1000 Women Leaders. She has been rated as a ‘highly-regarded lawyer’ for her Mergers & Acquisitions, and Private Equity practice by The IFLR1000 annually since 2019 and is recommended as a “National Leader” in Nigeria for her Mergers & Acquisitions and Governance practice by Who’s Who Legal (Nigeria) (2019 and 2021). She was also recognised as a key lawyer by Legal 500 EMEA. St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors) Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 263 6957 ozofu.ogiemudia@uubo.org www.uubo.org

Among several other ongoing transactions, Kehinde is currently leading a team advising the financier in connection with a US$2 billion financing for a multi-year drilling and asset development programme involving oil mining lease 42 in Nigeria. He is also co-leading the team advising Bank of China in connection with a circa US$3 billion financing of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipe line project (a major gas infrastructure project in Nigeria designed to connect the pipeline networks in the eastern and western parts of Nigeria to the northern region, which will become the largest pipeline network in Nigeria, upon completion).

Further, he is co-leading teams advising Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) in rela tion to an aggregate circa $7,000,000,000 upstream natural gas development and supply prepayment financing transaction, for the supply of natural gas to Trains 1 to 6 and Train 7 of the liquefied natural gas facilities owned by Nigerian LNG Limited, as well as NNPC’s aggregate circa US$3 billion forward sale and prepayment transactions in connection with the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port-Harcourt refineries and circa US$4 billion concession initiative for the rehabilitation and upgrade of NNPC’s entire 5,120km pipelines network (for crude oil and petroleum products supply), distribution and storage facilities (22 depots), jetties and other infrastructure.

WWL says: Ozofu Olatunde Ogiemudia is singled out by market commentators for her sterling work on M&A transactions, as well as private equity, corporate restructurings and regulatory compliance.

overleaf

Kehinde Ojuawo (cont.)

Kehinde obtained his law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2002), a professional degree from the Nigerian Law School (2004) and a Masters’ Degree in Law from the University of Newcastle, England (2005). In addition to his formal education, Kehinde has undertaken numerous management and professional training courses from several Nigerian and international organizations, including “Leading Professional Service Firms Executive Education Program,” (Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Boston, USA); “Nigerian Leadership Initiative Fellowship Seminar on High Impact Leadership” New Haven, Connecticut, USA, organized in conjunction with Yale University); “School for International Financial Law,” (St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University), organized by Euromoney Legal Training; “The Core Course on International Oil and Gas Law,” (Cape Town, South Africa), organized by the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation; “International Upstream and Downstream Gas Business Management Certificate Program,” (Boston, USA), organized by International Human Resources Development Corporation; “Project Finance: Key Legal, Structural and Risk Issues,” (Lagos), organized by Euromoney Legal Training, “Business Development for Law Firms,” (Lagos), organized by the Law Society of England and Wales in association with the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association; “Engineering & Construction Contracts Management – FIDIC, NEC, JBC & GCC,” (Johannesburg, South Africa), organized by The Hill Institute; and “Warranties, Indemnities & Disclosure in Mergers & Acquisitions and other International Business Transactions,” (London) organized by Euromoney Legal Training, amongst others.

His professional affiliations and listings include the Nigerian Bar Association and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.

Kehinde loves to travel (and has been to over 60 countries) and network with professionals and businesspersons.

Ayotunde Owoigbe Banwo & Ighodalo

Ayotunde Owoigbe is a partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001; she joined B&I shortly afterwards and was admitted into the firm’s partnership in 2010. Her core practice areas, spanning almost 20 years’ experience, are banking and finance, capital markets, M&A and project finance.

Her recent transactions include advising Interswitch Holdings Limited in connection with the acquisition of 19.9 per cent of equity interest by Visa International Service; Access Bank on its merger with Diamond Bank to create, arguably, the largest retail bank in Africa and Greenoaks Global Holdings Limited in connection with the divestment of its 99.03 per cent equity stake in Ensure Insurance Plc to Allianz, a global leading insurance conglomerate.

Ayotunde is immediate past chair of the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA), an inde pendent self-regulatory association of Nigerian law firms that contributes to the development of the national capital market and promotes the interests of legal practitioners engaged in capital market transactions. Ayotunde is also a member of the investors, issuers and intermediaries engage ment/education sub-committee set up under the auspices of the FMDQ Securities Exchange to make recommendations on the debt capital market devel opment project.

Ayotunde frequently delivers presentations on subjects in her core practice areas, as well as other topics. She is a frequent facilitator at seminars and workshops organised for or by professional associ ations, international law firms and clients.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos Tel: +234 813 984 1360 kojuawo@banwo-ighodalo www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Kehinde Ojuawo is a identified by sources as a key name in Nigeria for M&A transactions, and has special expertise in the oil and gas, mining and power sectors.

Ayotunde is a non-executive director on the boards of Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, fund manager of the “Africa Infra Plus Funds I and II”, infrastructure funds registered by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission and Me Cure Industries Limited, a leading pharmaceuticals company in Nigeria.

She is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by Chambers, IFLR1000, WWL, The Legal 500 and World’s Leading Women in Business Law

Gbenga Oyebode

Aluko & Oyebode

Gbenga Oyebode is the chairman of the manage ment board of Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s energy practice. He has significant expertise in corporate and commercial law, energy, natural resources and mining, project finance, aviation and telecommunications.

Gbenga is currently involved in a number of complex commercial transactions in various sectors, with a particular focus on the energy, mining and telecommunications sectors. He advised on the US$80 million investment by 8 Miles LLP, ACA and DEG in Beloxxi Industries and the sale by Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation of its 60 per cent equity stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc. He also advised on the Brass LNG Project; the US$1.25 billion financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Project; the US$1.06 billion financing of trains four and five of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Expansion Project; and the development, financing and implementa tion of the first IPP project in Nigeria.

Gbenga attended the University of Ife (LLB, honours) and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LLM), graduating in 1979 and 1982 respectively. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983). At various times in his career he worked with White & Case in New York and Gulf Oil Company in Lagos and Houston.

Gbenga is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He is a past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association section on business law and serves on the boards of several companies.

Chinyerugo is a partner in AÉLEX’s corporate and commercial practice group, focusing on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and tax.

Chinyerugo advises on share and asset acquisitions and divestments; joint ventures; corporate restructuring transactions; and tax-ef ficient structures. He has acted for a wide range of clients, including private equity firms and large multinationals.

He recently led the team that advised a leading private equity firm on the Nigeria aspect of its take over of the management of the existing assets of a US$1 billion health fund. He advised The CocaCola Company on its acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in CHI Limited, a leading dairy and juice brand in Nigeria. He also recently advised one of the pioneer payments company in Nigeria, with opera tions across Africa, on its corporate reorganisation.

He has advised extensively on a broad range of Nigerian tax issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, and other commercial transactions.

Chinyerugo authored the Nigeria chapter of the International Bar Association’s corporate and M&A law committee’s squeeze-out guides. He is a past member of the executive committee of the Capital Markets Solicitors of Nigeria, and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He is currently ranked as a “next-generation partner” by The Legal 500.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136

aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ayotunde Owoigbe is a distin guished figure in the market with over 20 years’ experience handling high-value M&A and financing matters.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 8032 000 007 gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Gbenga Oyebode is highly recommended by the international commu nity for his expertise in M&A, advising clients based in Nigeria and internationally.

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 461 7321 3 cugoji@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Chinyerugo Ugoji is well versed in corporate and transactional matters and possesses “in-depth legal knowledge on all relevant and evolving M&A laws”.

Chinyerugo Ugoji AÉLEX

DIRECTORY

Olubunmi Fayokun* Aluko & Oyebode olubunmi.fayokun@aluko-oyebode.com

Asue Ighodalo*

Banwo & Ighodalo aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com

Dolapo Kukoyi

Detail Commercial Solicitors dolapo@detailsolicitors.com

Oghogho Makinde*

Aluko & Oyebode oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com

Azeezah Muse-Sadiq* Banwo & Ighodalo asadiq@banwo-ighodalo.com

Aniekan Ukpanah

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Aniekan Ukpanah is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. He heads the firm’s banking & finance, project finance, and real estate teams. He advises on the structuring and financing of large-scale construction, infra structure and energy projects, the capital and money markets, and syndicated loans.He co-led the team that advised an international financial institution on a US$50,000,000.00 facility to one of the top five Nigerian banks, and advises inves tors in the gas sector, including one of the largest extractors of natural gas in the world, in relation to various Nigerian oil & gas projects. In addition to legal services, he provides client training and presents papers on security for bank lending, secured credit transactions and legal issues asso ciated with PPPs.Slightly outside of his banking and finance focus, Mr. Ukpanah acted as the team leader in a World Bank/USAID-funded project to devise a ‘road map’ to guide foreign investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Aniekan is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner for his Banking & Finance work by Chambers Global; as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Banking, Capital Markets, Project Development, and Project Finance sections of the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides); a Leading Individual for his Real Estate and Construction practice by the Legal 500 and is commended in Who’s Who Legal. Aniekan sits on the board of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, with 150+ member firms and more than 22,000 lawyers worldwide. He also chairs and serves on the boards of various private limited liability companies. He is a member of the governing council of Obong University, the first licensed private university in Akwa Ibom State.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307/2308/2309/2310 aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Aniekan Ukpanah enjoys a fantastic reputation in the market for his expert advice on M&A matters for clients in the finance and construction industries.

Dan Agbor*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net

Olumide Akpata Templars olu.akpata@templars-law.com Isa Alade* Banwo & Ighodalo ialade@banwo-ighodalo.com

Sola Arifayan* OAKE Legal sarifayan@oakelegal.com Olumayowa Arokodare TOLG Advisors olumayowaarokodare@tolegalgroup.com Afolabi Caxton-Martins Dentons ACAS-Law acaxton-martins@acas-law.com

Kofo Dosekun* Aluko & Oyebode kofo.dosekun@aluko-oyebode.com Yinka Edu*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie yinka.edu@uubo.org

Gbolahan Elias SAN* G Elias & Co gbolahan.elias@gelias.com

Folake Elias-Adebowale* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie folake.adebowale@uubo.org

Theophilus I Emuwa* AÉLEX tiemuwa@aelex.com

Wolemi Esan Olaniwun Ajayi LP wesan@olaniwunajayi.net

Chike Obianwu Templars chike.obianwu@templars-law.com

Oladipo Odujinrin Odujinrin & Adefulu o.odujinrin@odujinrinadefulu.com

Ozofu Olatunde Ogiemudia* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie ozofu.ogiemudia@uubo.org

Kehinde Ojuawo* Banwo & Ighodalo kojuawo@banwo-ighodalo Folasade Olusanya Jackson, Etti & Edu folaolusanya@jacksonettiandedu.com Segun Omoregie G Elias & Co segun@gelias.com Oluseye Opasanya Olaniwun Ajayi LP oopasanya@olaniwunajayi.net Ayotunde Owoigbe* Banwo & Ighodalo aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com Tominiyi Owolabi Olaniwun Ajayi LP towolabi@olaniwunajayi.net Gbenga Oyebode* Aluko & Oyebode gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com Damilola Salawu Olaniwun Ajayi LP dsalawu@olaniwunajayi.net Chinyerugo Ugoji* AÉLEX cugoji@aelex.com Aniekan Ukpanah* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org

PROJECT FINANCE

In this chapter, we highlight 25 individuals selected for their experience and expertise advising client on a broad range of project finance matters across various sectors, from oil and gas to infrastructure.

Most Highly Regarded

Kofo Dosekun Aluko & Oyebode Lagos

Aluko & Oyebode receives five listings this year.

Kofo Dosekun gains impressive recom mendations from market commentators, who say “she is well known and reputable in the finance space”.

Reginald Udom is a well-established name in the Nigerian market, respected for his extensive experience working on interna tional financing transactions.

Oghogho Makinde stands out in the Nigerian market as a top-tier practitioner thanks to her vast experience working on complex financial disputes.

Templars achieves three listings.

Chike Obianwu maintains a strong reputation for his work advising corporates, banks and project sponsors on a wide range of financing transactions.

Oghogho Akpata is well versed in advising domestic and international clients on acqui sitions and financing transactions in the oil and gas sector.

Desmond Ogba excels in a wide range of financing issues relating to power and infra structure projects.

Banwo & Ighodalo receives four listings.

Asue Ighodalo receives impressive endorsements for his project finance practice from peers and clients thanks to his stellar record on complex and high-value financing issues.

Ayotunde Owoigbe receives widespread endorsements for her first-rate project finance practice spanning a variety of sectors, from oil and gas to infrastructure.

Stella Duru ranks highly among peers thanks to her adept handling of high-value transactions in the energy sector.

Ken Etim is a formidable project finance specialist in the market according to peers and is well versed in issues relating to the oil and gas and energy sectors.

Olaniwun Ajayi sees three individuals listed here.

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN is lauded for his strategic advice on complex high-value acquisitions and project finance deals and brings over four decades of experience to his practice.

Chike Obianwu Templars Lagos

Wolemi Esan is highlighted for his excep tional work on a range of complex project finance transactions, both domestic and cross-border.

Tominiyi Owolabi is highly recommended for his extensive experience advising on project finance transactions in the banking and energy sectors.

Sola Arifayan at OAKE Legal possesses over two decades of experience advising domestic and international clients in project financing across West Africa.

Gbolahan Elias from G Elias & Co is a highly respected and accomplished practitioner in the Nigerian market, with particular exper tise when it comes to infrastructure project matters.

Ayuli Jemide at Detail Commercial Solicitors is singled out for his client-oriented approach and “ability to manage the requirements of multiple stakeholders while remaining engaged throughout the transaction”.

Dan Agbor

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Dan Agbor is the Senior Partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and has at various times headed the firm’s Banking and Finance, Power, Corporate, Private Equity, and Taxation practice groups. His corporate advisory practice includes mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and derivatives transactions, debt restructuring, debt to equity conversions, and fund establishment.

He has advised on a range of matters including Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme, its first independent power project; the establishment of Nigeria’s first discount house, numerous Eurobond transac tions, including Nigeria’s first, and on Nigeria’s first banking merger.Dan is ranked as a leading lawyer in the Corporate/M&A sections of Chambers Global Directory and the Practical Law Review. He is also featured in the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides), the Practical Law Company “Which Lawyer” Guides, the Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal.

Dan delivers and publishes articles across his practice areas, including papers on banking, secured credit transactions, foreign investment, international joint venture agreements, and guar antees. He serves on the boards of various compa nies and currently chairs the board of Nigeria’s oldest company.

Sumbo Akintola Aluko & Oyebode

Sumbo is a partner in Aluko and Oyebode, one of the topmost law firms in Nigeria, where she heads the (i) Technology, Media, Entertainment and Telecommunications team and the (ii) Governance, Compliance, and Investigations team. She has over 30 years of experience in corporate practice and is a key member of Aluko & Oyebode’s Project and Infrastructure Finance team, where she has on several occasions been Lead advisor on high value local and cross border transactions.

Sumbo represents top-tier United States, Middle East, Asian multinationals, and local tech nology companies, providing ongoing support in respect of varied and fast-evolving products and service offerings in Nigeria and across Africa. It is noteworthy that there has been an upsurge in the space during the pandemic, in terms of dynamic products and more high demand for legal and regulatory advisory support. Sumbo has received numerous recognitions locally and internationally; her team was also named Telecommunications Team of the Year at the ESQ Nigeria Legal Awards in 2016 and has been nominated in relevant cate gories through the years. She has been described by Who’s Who Legal as a “First class lawyer”, “a notable practitioner” and “a prominent figure” in the Nigerian TMT market.

She constantly collaborates with several law firms across the globe and was key personnel in the formative years of Bond Bank Limited (now Polaris Bank Limited).

Sumbo currently represents the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Developments Office (FCDO) on the Board of Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), a financial sector development organization that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria. Sumbo also sits on the Board of Chapel Hill Denham, an African leading independent Investment Bank, as an independent Non-Executive Director.

She is a member of several national and international associations such as the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, and the Franco – Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

St. Nicholas House (10th, 12th & 13th Floors) Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307 10 dan.agbor@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Dan Agbor is widely regarded as a leading practitioner in project finance matters, specialising in energy sector projects.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 403 5122 sumbo.akintola@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Sumbo Akintola stands out for her exceptional work on a range of domestic and international high-value project finance transactions.

Sola Arifayan

OAKE Legal

Sola leads OAKE Legal’s project development & finance, as well as energy, infrastructure, and util ities practices. He regularly provides advice and support on major infrastructure and financing projects and is recognised, not just for the depth of his legal knowledge and skills, but also for his ability to devise innovative solutions for everyday business problems.

He is a leading authority on Nigerian elec tricity law and has advised governments, the regu lator, project developers and investors, on several aspects of the Nigerian energy sector. He regu larly advises on development of new power projects and restructuring and privatisation of several brownfield power projects across all fuel types. He also supported the deployment of a broad band fibre infrastructure throughout the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory and advised on grant of a concession for a unified fibre duct infrastructure for Nigeria’s largest metropolitan area, and the implementation of a dig-once policy for the state.

He also routinely advises investors, including private equity funds on foreign investment into and divestment from Nigeria and has led several acquisition engagements from preliminary deal structuring through to post-completion support.

Sola was educated at the University of Lagos (LLB) and is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He sits on the board of several compa nies, including Tak Agro Plc and Jos Electricity Distribution Plc.

Soji Awogbade AÉLEX

Soji is partner and lead of the international trade practice group of AÉLEX.

He is an energy and transactions lawyer with over 40 years of legal practice in many sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He specialises in energy transactions and advisory work and advises clients on oil and gas, environmental, power and infrastructure, project finance and company law.

Soji is the founding president of the Nigerian Environmental Law Society and the past chairman of the energy and environment sub-committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s section on business law as well as past chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association’s section on business law agriculture committee.

He is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and the International Bar Association (IBA).

Since taking an interest in international trade, he has participated in the formulation of Nigeria’s trade policy and has been a resource person on committees and conferences on trade.

Soji is also a frequent speaker at domestic and international seminars on energy, including renew able energy, natural resources and environmental issues.

He is a Global Elite Thought Leader in the energy category of Who’s Who Legal and he has been consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in energy and natural resources by highly respected stables, including Chambers Global and IFLR1000. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute.

Kofo Dosekun Aluko & Oyebode

Kofo leads the firm’s corporate and commercial, banking and corporate finance practices and advises on a broad range of financing and commer cial transactions including project finance, cross boarder and local syndicated lending, private equity, energy, public private partnerships and structured trade finance. She also advises on risk mitigation, financial regulatory compliance, foreign invest ment and derivatives, mergers and acquisitions and restructurings in the energy, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors.

Kofo acted as a lead counsel to MTN in its 200-billion-naira facility from a syndicate of Nigerian banks. She also acted as lead counsel to a syndicate of onshore and offshore lenders in connection with the provision of a US$2 billion senior secured medium-term financing facility to Aiteo Eastern E&P for the acquisition of a 45 per cent interest in OML 29. She led the team in Nigeria that advised Indorama on the US$1 billion financing of its fertiliser plant. She also led the team that advised the sponsors in connection with the restructuring of the US$1.2 billion NGLII financing, and the US$600 million satellite field oil financing.

Kofo has worked on several award-winning transactions and continues to advise various financial institutions operating in the Nigerian market, including Citibank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Commerzbank.

Kofo has an LLB (honours) from the University of Ife and an LLM from King’s College London. She is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a member of the International Bar Association.

5th Floor, AIICO Plaza, Plot PC12 Churchgate Street Victoria Island Lagos Tel: +234 1 453 6900 sarifayan@oakelegal.com

WWL says: Sola Arifayan possesses over two decades of experience advising domestic and international clients in project financing across West Africa.

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: 234 703 413 6930 sawogbade@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Soji Awogbade is “a highly respected expert” in the market who is renowned for financing matters in the oil and gas sector.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 803 402 0532

kofo.dosekun@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Kofo Dosekun gains impressive recommendations from market commenta tors, who say “she is well known and repu table in the finance space”.

Stella Duru Banwo & Ighodalo

Stella is a partner in Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I)’s energy & natural resources practice group. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001; she joined B&I shortly afterwards and was admitted into the firm’s partnership in 2012. She is a consummate professional with excellent mastery of the entire value chain of energy projects and almost twenty (20) years of cognate experience advising on a broad range of transactions including power, infrastructure, project finance, oil & gas, mergers & acquisitions and corporate commercial transactions within the energy sector.

Stella has deep experience in oil, gas and power projects in Nigeria and has indeed been involved in World Bank sponsored work streams advising on the power sector reforms in Nigeria. Stella was actively involved in several of the power privatization transactions, and presently leads multiple teams advising on several transactions within the power sector, including infrastruc ture projects in the generation and distribution segments of the Nigerian Electricity Supply.

Stella continues to advise on transactions along the entire value chain of generation, trans mission and distribution; as well as on deals pertaining to IPPs, off-grid and on-grid solutions to the power deficit in Nigeria. She is very passionate about monetizing and utilizing Nigeria’s natural gas resources in order to get Nigeria powered up.

Stella leads the team advising the acquisition of interest in a large Power Project from an unin corporated joint venture. She is also leading the team advising the on the privatization of one of the electricity generation companies in Nigeria.

Additionally, Stella leads the team advising a group of investors in a notable Free Trade Zone in Nigeria in connection with the establishment of a forty thousand (40,000) barrels per day hydro skimming plant and refinery. Similarly, Stella leads the team advising a gas utilization company in connection with the conceptualization, structuring, construction and operation of a Gas Processing Plant.

Stella authors articles in leading law publica tions as well as a key resource person for contin uing legal education for young and aspiring lawyers. She is continually invited as a speaker at different conferences and seminars in Nigeria and interna tionally, including conferences held at the prestig ious Harvard Business School in Boston and Power Africa in South Africa.

Stella is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association (Section on energy and natural resources Law) and Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.

Stella is also an associate of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (a leadership development not-for-profit, affiliated with the Aspen Institute) as well as an associate “WimBiz” (An association of Women in Management, Business & Public Service). Stella is a non-executive director on the board of Zedcrest Capital Group, which is a capital management firm. She is also a non-executive director on the boards of Zimvest Limited and RexelPay (both subsidiaries of Zedcrest Capital). She was recently appointed as a member of the Council of the Section of Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Gbolahan Elias is a partner in G Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms. He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for 15 years and is a member of several distinguished professional bodies. These include the International Academy of Defense Counsel and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

He read law at Oxford University and was called to the New York Bar in 1990. His work is recognized and commended in leading directories such as The Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global Gbolahan has advised clients on significant transactions and disputes in most sectors of the Nigerian economy. Nearly every year for the past decade, he has advised on oil-and-gas sector financings to global players’ joint ventures each for over US$700million.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 1 252 0795 / 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841

sduru@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Stella Duru ranks highly among peers thanks to her adept handling of high-value transactions in the energy sector.

6 Broad Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4607890

gbolahan.elias@gelias.com www.gelias.com

WWL says: Gbolahan Elias is a highly respected and accomplished practitioner in the Nigerian market, with particular exper tise when it comes to infrastructure project matters.

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co

Folake Elias-Adebowale

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s M&A, private equity, and oil and gas teams. Her specialisations include cross-border and domestic equity and asset acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructuring, investments, financing for energy, manufacturing, and industrial projects, and compliance across diverse sectors.

She serves on the legal committees of the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association of Nigeria, where she is also a founding board member and participates in the PEVCA-SEC sub-committee reviewing private equity regu lations in Nigeria. She has also been a member of the GPCA and AVCA legal committees. She headed a legal and regulatory sub-committee of the Federal Minister for Industry Trade and Investment’s Nigerian Private Equity and Venture Capital Development project established to make recommendations for boosting private equity and venture capital activity in Nigeria. Her regulatory review and advocacy practice have also included assisting with the review of, and preparation of draft legislation for the downstream gas sector. She is recognised as an IFLR1000 Women Leader 2022 and commended by The Lawyer’s Africa Elite Private Equity special report. She is ranked for her practice area specialisations by The IFLR1000, Chambers Global, Chambers Global (Fintech), The Legal500, Who’s Who Legal (Global M&A & Governance), and Who’s Who Legal (Nigeria) and is named as one of twenty outstanding Nigerian women in business law by BusinessDay.

Ken Etim Banwo & Ighodalo

Ken is the managing partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading first-class multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Ken obtained his law degree from the University of Uyo and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991.

Ken is a consummate lawyer with significant experience in advising on the conceptualization, structuring, financing and development of several notable infrastructure projects for over 30 years.

Ken is the lead counsel advising Mota-Engil Engenharia E. Construcao Africa S.A in relation to the construction and financing of the Kano – Maradi rail project valued at One Billion and Three Hundred Million United States Dollars (US$1,300,000,000), which entails the construction of a rail line which cuts across a number of states in Northern Nigeria and terminates at Maradi in the Niger Republic.

Ken also leads the team providing advisory services to Mota Engil Engenharia and China Communications Construction Company in connection with a bid for the design, financing, construction and maintenance of the 4th Mainland Bridge (“4MB”) in Lagos State, by way of public-pri vate partnership.

Ken leads the team advising the Bank of China, Oilserve-Oando-CFCHEC Consortium and Bentex-CPP Consortium in connection with the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline Project, a major gas infrastructure project in Nigeria designed to connect the pipeline networks in the eastern and western parts of Nigeria to the northern region, and will become the largest pipeline network in Nigeria upon completion.

Ken leads the team advising the NNPC and the Port-Harcourt Refinery Company in connection with the rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt Refinery. He also leads the team advising the Technical Committee and other stakeholders involved in the development, construction and financing of the Ibom Deep Seaport Project.

Ken led the team that advised NNPC in connec tion with an up to $2.5 billion upstream natural gas development and supply revolving prepayment financing transaction, for the supply of natural gas to Trains 1 to 6 of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities owned by Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG). The team is also presently advising on the repayment financing transaction, for the supply of natural gas to Train 7 owned by NLNG.

Ken is a Notary Public for Nigeria, and the vicechair of the energy and environment committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s business law section; He is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and is on the African Regional Executive Committee. He is a member of the Nigerian Gas Association. He has written several articles and delivered several papers in his core practice areas.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4622307 10 folake.adebowale@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Folake Elias-Adebowale distinguishes herself in the market with her outstanding track record on project financing matters within the energy, manu facturing and industrial sectors.

Ken advised Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and Anoh Gas Processing Company Limited (“AGPC”) in relation to the EPC and gas supply arrangements in connection with the build-out of the Assa North/ Ohaji South Unit Area Gas Processing Plant with a capacity of 300MMSCFD. The Project, which is a strategic asset targeted at facilitating the gas to power aspira tion of the Federal Government, attained financial closing in Q1 2021.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 8139841363

ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ken Etim is a formidable project finance specialist in the market according to peers and is well versed in issues relating to the oil and gas and energy sectors.

Asue Ighodalo

Banwo & Ighodalo

Asue Ighodalo is a Founding Partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a foremost corporate commercial law firm in Nigeria that is consistently listed in the top tier of several leading Nigerian and international legal directories, publications and journals. He obtained his first degree in economics from the University of Ibadan, and a law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK; he was admitted into the Nigerian Bar in July 1985.

His core areas of practice are capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, corpo rate and project finance, and energy and natural resources, in all of which he possesses extensive experience.

Asue has led teams advising on notable project finance transactions aimed at developing various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Specifically, Asue has advised the Dangote Group in connection with the US$3,025,000,000 syndicated financing trans action for the development of a fertilizer plant with capacity per annum of 2.8 metric tonnes of urea and the largest oil refinery in the West African sub-re gion with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Nigeria (the Dangote Projects). At the time, this deal was the single largest corporate finance transac tion in the West African sub-region. Subsequently, Asue advised the Dangote Group in raising addi tional capital including the US$250,000,000 and US$650,000,000 facilities advanced by African Export-Import Bank; and US$300,000,000 advanced by a syndicate of lenders arranged by Standard Chartered Bank (and backed by SACE S.p.A) to further finance the cost of development of the Dangote Projects.

Asue also advised Dangote Cement Plc (“DCP”) in connection with a US$54,400,000 (Fifty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) facility advanced by Export-Import Bank of India to Dangote Cement Cote D’Ivoire S.A and guaranteed by DCP for the purpose of financing the development of the 1.5 MTPA cement grinding plant in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. He also advised Dangote

Cement Niger S.A. (as Borrower) and Dangote Cement Plc (as Guarantor) in relation to an up to US$150,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars) term loan facility advanced by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited to part-finance the cost of developing the Dangote Cement Production Plant in Keita, Tahoua, Republic of Niger.

Asue is the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Levene Energy Group. He also serves on boards of several other public and private companies, NGOs and until recently, served on the board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.

Asue has been consistently ranked as a “Tier 1” or “Leading lawyer” in all of his areas of practice by the leading legal directories. He has authored many articles in leading law publications, delivered several presentations on diverse subjects of law and serves as a mentor to young lawyers globally.

His hobbies include golfing, watching foot ball, reading, travelling and participating in polit ical discourse. He is married and blessed with a daughter.

Oghogho Makinde Aluko & Oyebode

Oghogho joined the partnership of Aluko & Oyebode in 2003. Her main practice areas are energy and natural resources, public private partnerships (PPPs), banking and finance, private equity, corpo rate restructuring and divestitures, project/infra structure finance and regulatory compliance. She is the head of the firm’s business advisory practice.

Oghogho, in the last year has advised on a couple of corporate investments transactions, including: advising a global digital payment services client in connection with the acquisition of a significant minority stake in a leading Nigerian digital payment firm which included Nigerian law and regulations and investor relations; currently advising an international aircraft leasing company in connection with the lease of aircraft to a small Nigerian airline operator which includes advice on leasing and repossession of aircraft, the aircraft lease agreements and transaction structuring to manage regulatory costs; currently advising a fast growing hospital group with multiple facilities in the south-south region of Nigeria with a South African strategic investor on the exit of the strategic investor and purchase of the divested equity stake by a Nigerian HMO.

Oghogho received a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from the University of Benin in 1988 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. She has a master’s degree in law (LLM) from the University of Lagos. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; an associate member of the Energy Institute, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), the Nigerian Gas Association, and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). She was the sole Nigerian Client Choice Awards winner in 2018 and 2019 and is an “IFLR woman leader” for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 8139841363 aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Asue Ighodalo receives impressive endorsements for his project finance practice from peers and clients, thanks to his stellar record on complex and high-value financing issues .

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234803 402 8360

oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Oghogho Makinde stands out in the Nigerian market as a top-tier practi tioner thanks to her vast experience working on complex financial disputes.

Ayotunde Owoigbe

Banwo & Ighodalo

Ayotunde Owoigbe is a partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. She obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 2001; she joined B&I shortly afterwards and was admitted into the firm’s partnership in 2010. Her core practice areas, spanning 20 years’ experience, are banking and finance, capital markets, M&A and project finance.

She regularly advises on project finance trans actions including ongoing transaction advisory work for Africa Infra Plus Funds I and II (“AIPF”) on the project financing aspects of its successful investments into investee companies including the Asaba independent power plant project for the government of Delta State and the concession for hostel developments at the University of Calabar in Cross River State; both of which projects are now fully operational. Ayotunde also advised AIPF on its consortium’s selection as one of the asset managers of the Infraco fund which will be an inde pendently managed fund intended to boost infra structure development in Nigeria. The initial seed funding of circa US$2.4billion for the Infraco fund will be contributed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and the Africa Finance Corporation.

Ayotunde is a past chair of the Capital Market Solicitors Association, an independent self-regula tory association of Nigerian law firms that contrib utes to the development of the national capital market and promotes the interests of legal prac titioners engaged in capital market transactions.

Ayotunde frequently delivers presentations on subjects in her core practice areas, as well as other topics. She is a frequent facilitator at seminars and workshops organised for or by professional associ ations, international law firms and clients.

Ayotunde is a non-executive director on the boards of Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, fund manager of the “Africa Infra Plus Funds I and II”, infrastructure funds registered by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission and Me Cure Industries Limited, a leading pharmaceuticals company in Nigeria.

She is consistently ranked as a leading Nigerian lawyer by Chambers IFLR1000 WWL

The Legal 500 and World’s Leading Women in Business Law amongst other recognition. She has attended executive management and leadership courses in leading institutions such as Harvard Business School.

Gbenga Oyebode Aluko & Oyebode

Gbenga Oyebode is the chairman of the manage ment board of Aluko & Oyebode and heads the firm’s energy practice. He has significant expertise in corporate and commercial law, energy, natural resources and mining, project finance, aviation and telecommunications.

Gbenga is currently involved in a number of complex commercial transactions in various sectors, with a particular focus on the energy, mining and telecommunications sectors. He advised on the US$80 million investment by 8 Miles LLP, ACA and DEG in Beloxxi Industries and the sale by Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation of its 60 per cent equity stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc. He also advised on the Brass LNG Project; the US$1.25 billion financing of the Exxon Mobil Natural Gas Liquid II Project; the US$1.06 billion financing of trains four and five of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Expansion Project; and the development, financing and implementation of the first IPP project in Nigeria.

Gbenga attended the University of Ife (LLB, honours) and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (LLM), graduating in 1979 and 1982 respectively. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted June 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983). At various times in his career he worked with White & Case in New York and Gulf Oil Company in Lagos and Houston.

Gbenga is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He is a past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association section on business law and serves on the boards of several companies.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 813984136

aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ayotunde Owoigbe receives widespread endorsements for her first-rate project finance practice spanning a variety of sectors, from oil and gas to infrastructure.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 8032 000 007

gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Gbenga Oyebode is a project financing specialist whose world-class prac tice serves a range of high-profile clients in the energy and natural gas industries.

Olusina Sipasi

AÉLEX

Sina is a partner in the firm’s energy, environment, and corporate/commercial practice groups. He has advised on the financing of energy and infra structure projects. He has also advised, drafted and negotiated various upstream agreements and crude lifting agreements.

He advised a syndicate of lenders on an US$800 million refinancing of an oil mining lease. He also advised a multi-national mobile network operator in respect of its proposed US$200 million financing for the purchase of network infrastructure. He has also advised a lender on a US$50.6 million ECA loan for on-lending to sponsors of a real estate development project in Lagos, and a gas processor on its gas purchase, processing and supply project.

He is currently advising Afrexim and a syndicate of lenders on a US$141 million refinancing of a power plant. He has trained senior executives of power generation companies on gas utilisation, off-take and transportation contracts.

He was involved in the development of the National Gas Supply and Pricing Policy and the subsequent regulations developed to implement this policy. Sina played a key role in developing and drafting the template gas supply and gas transpor tation agreements which underpin the domestic supply of gas in Nigeria and detail the commercial arrangements and risk allocation among suppliers, purchasers, transporters and shippers of gas. He is currently advising the Federal Ministry of Power on structuring and concessioning of five small hydro power plants.

Reginald Udom

Aluko & Oyebode

Reginald is the Managing Partner of the Firm. In this role, he manages the day-to-day operations of the firm and helps achieve the firm’s objectives by focusing on the needs of its people and their efforts on serving clients. He is also a member of the Banking & Finance team where he focuses on finance, energy and infrastructure and he has over 19 years’ experience advising sponsors, lenders, issuers, underwriters, and borrowers in a number of international financing transactions involving shopping malls, power plants, LNG plants, tele communications, cement plants and steel mills.

Reginald attended the University of Lagos (LLB) and University College London (LLM). He is admitted to the Nigerian Bar as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He has a keen interest in leadership and has attended several related trainings and seminars including the Yale University/Nigeria Leadership Initiative fellows’ leadership programme, and the law firm leadership programme facilitated by Professor David B Wilkins of Harvard Law School.

He is consistently ranked by legal directories as a Leading Lawyer. In 2020, Who’s Who Legal noted that: “Reginald Udom is singled out by market sources for his sweeping knowledge of complex banking transactions and financing…the revered Reginald Udom is well versed in advising domestic and international companies on complex financing matters…”.

Aniekan Ukpanah

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Aniekan Ukpanah is the Managing Partner of the law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. He heads the firm’s banking & finance, project finance, and real estate teams. He advises on the structuring and financing of large-scale construction, infra structure and energy projects, the capital and money markets, and syndicated loans.He co-led the team that advised an international financial institution on a US$50,000,000.00 facility to one of the top five Nigerian banks, and advises inves tors in the gas sector, including one of the largest extractors of natural gas in the world, in relation to various Nigerian oil & gas projects. In addition to legal services, he provides client training and presents papers on security for bank lending, secured credit transactions and legal issues asso ciated with PPPs.Slightly outside of his banking and finance focus, Mr. Ukpanah acted as the team leader in a World Bank/USAID-funded project to devise a ‘road map’ to guide foreign investors who wish to invest in Nigeria.

Aniekan is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner for his Banking & Finance work by Chambers Global; as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Banking, Capital Markets, Project Development, and Project Finance sections of the International Financial Law Review (Expert Guides); a Leading Individual for his Real Estate and Construction practice by the Legal 500 and is commended in Who’s Who Legal. Aniekan sits on the board of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, with 150+ member firms and more than 22,000 lawyers worldwide. He also chairs and serves on the boards of various private limited liability companies. He is a member of the governing council of Obong University, the first licensed private university in Akwa Ibom State.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 4617 321

osipasi@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Olusina Sipasi impresses market commentators with his adept handling of high-value projects across the energy sector.

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233 Tel: +234 806 118 5105 reginald.udom@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Reginald Udom is a well-es tablished name in the Nigerian market, respected for his extensive experi ence working on international financing transactions.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 462 2307/ 2308 / 2309 / 2310

aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org www.uubo.org

WWL says: Aniekan Ukpanah is a “techni cally skilled” practitioner, recommended by peers for advising on the structuring and financing of energy and hospitality projects.

Dan Agbor*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie dan.agbor@uubo.org

Konyinsola Ajayi SAN Olaniwun Ajayi LP konyin@olaniwunajayi.net

Sumbo Akintola* Aluko & Oyebode sumbo.akintola@aluko-oyebode.com

Oghogho Akpata Templars ogh.akpata@templars-law.com

Sola Arifayan* OAKE Legal sarifayan@oakelegal.com

Soji Awogbade* AÉLEX sawogbade@aelex.com

Kofo Dosekun* Aluko & Oyebode kofo.dosekun@aluko-oyebode.com

Stella Duru* Banwo & Ighodalo sduru@banwo-ighodalo.com

Gbolahan Elias SAN* G Elias & Co gbolahan.elias@gelias.com

Folake Elias-Adebowale* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie folake.adebowale@uubo.org

Wolemi Esan

Olaniwun Ajayi LP wesan@olaniwunajayi.net

Ken Etim*

Banwo & Ighodalo ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com

Asue Ighodalo* Banwo & Ighodalo aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com

Ayuli Jemide Detail Commercial Solicitors ayuli@detailsolicitors.com

Dolapo Kukoyi

Detail Commercial Solicitors dolapo@detailsolicitors.com

Oghogho Makinde*

Aluko & Oyebode oghogho.makinde@aluko-oyebode.com

Chike Obianwu

Templars

chike.obianwu@templars-law.com

Desmond Ogba Templars desmond.ogba@templars-law.com

Fred Onuobia G Elias & Co fred.onuobia@gelias.com

Ayotunde Owoigbe* Banwo & Ighodalo aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com

Tominiyi Owolabi

Olaniwun Ajayi LP towolabi@olaniwunajayi.net

Gbenga Oyebode* Aluko & Oyebode gbenga.oyebode@aluko-oyebode.com

Olusina Sipasi* AÉLEX osipasi@aelex.com

Reginald Udom* Aluko & Oyebode reginald.udom@aluko-oyebode.com

Aniekan Ukpanah* Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie aniekan.ukpanah@uubo.org

denotes

who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

RESTRUCTURING & INSOLVENCY

In this chapter, nine lawyers are singled out for their superb practice advising domestic and international clients on a range of restructuring and insolvency matters.

Peers and clients single out Seyi Akinwunmi from Akinwunmi & Busari for his “in-depth knowledge of restructuring and insolvency law”.

Olatunde Busari SAN is a highly regarded practitioner who excels in advising clients on complex restructuring and insolvency claims.

Anthony Idigbe SAN with Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors draws praise from international sources who consider him a go-to prac titioner in the space, particularly expert in cross-border insolvency issues.

Okorie Kalu draws praise from market experts for his work on receiverships, winding up proceedings and out-of-court restruc turing negotiations.

From G Elias & Co, Gbolahan Elias enjoys extensive acclaim among peers and clients for his restructuring and insolvency exper tise and is described as “a brilliant insolvency practitioner”.

At Aluko & Oyebode, Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN receives glowing endorsements from commentators and is known for his “cuttingedge knowledge of insolvency law”.

Market sources recognise Fidelis Oditah QC SAN f rom Fidelis Oditah & Co as “a world-renowned insolvency practitioner with outstanding knowledge of the nitty-gritty aspects of his insolvency practice”.

SPA Ajibade & Co’s Babatunde Ajibade SAN garners widespread praise for his profound understanding of international insolvency proceedings.

Anthony Nwaochei with The Law Crest wins comprehensive endorsements from peers and clients for his practice, and has particular expertise advising clients in the finance sector on complex debt restructuring and insolvency issues.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb Aluko & Oyebode

Adeniyi Adegbonmire is a partner in the litigation and ADR department of Aluko & Oyebode. Adeniyi obtained a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB, honours) from the University of Ife, Ile Ife in 1987. Adeniyi is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

In 2015, Adeniyi was elevated to the prestig ious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Nigerian equivalent of a UK Queen’s Counsel.

Adeniyi heads the firm’s insolvency, business recovery and debt recovery practice and advises on all aspects of insolvency law. He has acted as both receiver/manager and counsel to credi tors in receivership, winding up and bankruptcy proceedings.

Adeniyi has a very pragmatic approach to dispute resolution and strategy and has deployed this approach and his wealth of experience in providing legal advice to local and multinational companies involved in insolvency litigation.

Adeniyi was appointed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to act as the receiver/manager of Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian airline. As receiver/ manager, Adeniyi has successfully managed the operations of the company, with the support of a professional management and technical team. The firm has also been retained as counsel to AMCON in proceedings instituted to prevent any unlawful interference with the receivership.

Adeniyi also successfully represented AMCON in its efforts to recover a debt of approximately 4.3 billion naira from Shoreline Power Company Limited, two of its affiliated companies and two of its directors.

Gbolahan Elias is a partner in G Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms. He has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for 15 years and is a member of several distinguished professional bodies. These include the International Academy of Defense Counsel and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

He read law at Oxford University and was called to the New York Bar in 1990. His work is recognized and commended in leading directories such as The Legal 500, IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global.

Gbolahan has advised clients on significant transactions and disputes in most sectors of the Nigerian economy. Nearly every year for the past decade, he has advised on oil-and-gas sector financings to global players’ joint ventures each for over US$700million.

Anthony Idigbe SAN Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors

Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe is the Senior Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is also involved with consultancy, business and human capital development through its Canadian affil iate, PUNUKA Consulting Inc. He has 39 years of experience in insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute resolution, privatization, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, etc., and has advised clients on several complex transactions. He was licensed to practice law in Nigeria in 1983, appointed Notary Public in 1989 and elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000. He was licensed to practice law in Ontario, Canada, in June 2016. He holds a doctoral degree in crossborder insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His dissertation was on the role of INSOL International in global norm making with the 1997 UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency as the case study.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a fellow of INSOL International; the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London; the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and the International Bar Association (IBA). In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN); London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria (ICCN); Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD) and International Insolvency Institute (III).

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive Ikoyi Lagos, 101233

Tel: +234 803 402 0536

adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com www.aluko-oyebode.com

WWL says: Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN receives glowing endorsements from commentators and is known for his “cuttingedge knowledge of insolvency law”.

6 Broad Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 4607890 gbolahan.elias@gelias.com www.gelias.com

WWL says: Gbolahan Elias enjoys exten sive acclaim among peers and clients for his restructuring and insolvency expertise and is described as “a brilliant insolvency practitioner”.

Anthony has been involved in several Aviation matters and has advised Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Ministry of Aviation as well as BPE on aviation issues including priva tisation issues and disputes arising from setting up of national airline. He was Counsel to Sosoliso Airline in respect of the actions instituted against the company in relation to plane crash involving a

Gbolahan Elias SAN G Elias & Co

Anthony Idigbe SAN (cont.)

Sosoliso aircraft. Anthony is also the retained solic itor of Allied Air, has represented the company on several dispute resolution matters, and advised on vast areas of laws including labour issues amongst others. He advises the Regulator, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on various issues and assisted in defining the regulatory framework for the aviation sector. He also represents FAAN in several cases instituted against them in Court.On Marine transport, Anthony has conducted arbi tration on charter party agreements and advised the National Maritime Authority (NMA), the prede cessor of NIMASA.

For a full view of his profile, check https://www. anthonyidigbe.com/

Okorie Kalu

Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors

Okorie Kalu is a Partner in PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors heading the Insolvency & Business Restructuring, Banking litigation, and Training Departments of the firm.

A bilingual (French-English) legal practitioner, with an LLM in Business Law from the Universite du Benin (now Universite du Lome, Togo), he also attended the University of Lagos and the Nigerian Law School for his Bar Parts I & II programmes and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004.

He is a Fellow of INSOL International and member of the III NextGen in addition to his practical vast experience in insolvency & restructuring prac tice, commercial and criminal litigation in Nigeria, including cross border related insolvency matters.

He is a Fellow of and General Secretary of the Council of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), since 2017.

He chairs its Training Committee and acts as a facilitator in insolvency related training modules for BRIPAN and other professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He also acts as speaker on insolvency related issues in various regional and International bodies including INSOL.

He has been very active with BRIPAN on legis lative reform advocacy for more than a decade.

Until May 2021, he acted as 2nd Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association - Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) Committee on Banking, Finance and Insolvency.

Effective May 7, 2021 he is Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association - Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) Maiden Committee on Restructuring & Insolvency

The above process also influenced some recommendations made by PEBEC to the Corporate Affairs Commission in its reform of the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA): a new Insolvency framework in the new CAMA 2020 patterned in the main after the UK Insolvency Act (IA) 1986 was assented by the Nigerian President into law on the 7th August, 2020.

His most recent co-authored articles on IP regulation and Netting under the new CAMA law can be found on https://www.mondaq.com/ article/977940 and on https://www.mondaq.com/ Nigeria/CorporateCommercial-Law/982072/ Chapter-28-Of-The-Companies-And-AlliedMatters-Act-2020-Netting-In-Nigeria

He is actively engaged in high profile commer cial recoveries, business recovery/insolvency liti gation (including receiverships and winding up proceedings) and or out of court restructuring negotiations. He advises various companies on restructuring.

His most recent webinar and or training facilitations include: Introduction to Insolvency & Business Rescue Procedure under CANA 2020; Duties & Liabilities of Directors in the Face of Insolvency: the Nigerian Position; Analysing Informal and Formal Restructuring Procedures as options for Business Rescue in the Nigerian Football Sector; Perspectives on Impending Insolvencies & Restructuring Tools amid and post COVID 19; Business Rescue MissionCAMA 2020 AND Professional Perspectives; and From Liquidation to Rescue- A critical review of the Nigerian Insolvency Law.

Plot 45 Oyibo Adjarho Street Off Ayinde Akinmade Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 270 4789 a.idigbe@punuka.com www.punuka.com

WWL says: Anthony Idigbe SAN draws praise from international sources who consider him a go-to practitioner in the space, particularly expert in cross-border insolvency issues.

In 2017, as 14 business indicators were iden tified for purpose of legislative reform in the Doing Business in Nigeria Project by PEBEC (in collabo ration with the World Bank WB), he was appointed as Team lead for the business indicator area of “Resolving Insolvency” for the NBA-SBL collabora tion with the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria which set up the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to draft an Omnibus Bill reforming various laws to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria.

He regularly contributes to the World Bank annual Doing Business publication on getting credit, closing a business/resolving insolvency and enforcement of contracts, etc. He has also written, contributed or co-authored several recoveries or insolvency related articles and papers with Anthony Idigbe SAN and other colleagues.

Plot 45 Oyibo Adjarho Street

Off Ayinde Akinmade Street Lagos Tel: +234 1270 4789 o.kalu@punuka.com www.punuka.com

WWL says: Okorie Kalu draws praise from market experts for his work on receiverships, winding up proceedings and out-of-court restructuring negotiations.

Anthony Nwaochei

The Law Crest LLP

Tony is the managing partner and heads the busi ness advisory practice team of The Law Crest LLP, a leading full-service law firm.

Tony Is a vastly experienced solicitor who regu larly advises on business recovery & insolvency; investments; regulatory compliance; mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructuring; and corporate governance and in the course of his work over the years has advised some of the biggest players in the Nigerian economy on some of the most significant and complex commercial transactions.Tony was part of The Law Crest LLP’s team that recently provided legal advice to a leading multinational in the FMCG sector in connection with the sale of one of its Nigerian businesses and the restructuring of several of its other Nigerian inter ests involving a wide range of regulatory compli ance and contractual issues.

Tony is an astute insolvency and business recovery practitioner and a Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) on whose council he sits.Prior to the establishment of The Law Crest LLP, Tony was the company secretary and general counsel of Societe Bancaire Merchant Bankers, a Swiss/ French owned banking institution, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and is registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission as a capital market solicitor.

DIRECTORY

NIPOST Towers, First Floor Plot 98 Adeola Odeku Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 463 8398 tony@thelawcrest.com www.thelawcrest.com

WWL says: Anthony Nwaochei wins comprehensive endorsements from peers and clients for his practice, and has particular expertise advising clients in the finance sector on complex debt restruc turing and insolvency issues.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN FCIArb*

Aluko & Oyebode

adeniyi.adegbonmire@aluko-oyebode.com

Babatunde Ajibade SAN SPA Ajibade & Co bajibade@spaajibade.com

Seyi Akinwunmi Akinwunmi & Busari seyi@akinwunmibusari.com

Olatunde Busari SAN Akinwunmi & Busari tunde@akinwunmibusari.com

Gbolahan Elias SAN* G Elias & Co gbolahan.elias@gelias.com

Anthony Idigbe SAN* Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors a.idigbe@punuka.com

Okorie Kalu* Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors o.kalu@punuka.com

Anthony Nwaochei* The Law Crest LLP tony@thelawcrest.com

Fidelis Oditah KC SAN Fidelis Oditah & Co fidelisoditah@oditah.com

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

TRANSPORT – AVIATION

In this chapter, we feature 11 leading lawyers in the Nigerian aviation sector who stand out for their work on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters.

Folorunsho Majiyagbe SAN with JB Majiyagbe & Co is highly sought after by a diverse range of clients for his encyclopaedic knowledge of aviation law.

Adedoyin Afun at Bloomfield Law Practice enjoys a stellar reputation for his top-notch practice handling international aviation transactions.

Kola Awodein SAN of Kola Awodein & Co wins high praise for his adept handling of complex aviation disputes.

Streamsowers & Köhn’s Etigwe Uwa SAN is highlighted by market observers as a go-to name thanks to his established practice in the Nigerian aviation market.

Adedolapo Akinrele SAN at F O Akinrele & Co has a wealth of experience in avia tion law, with notable expertise in litigation proceedings.

Uzoma Azikiwe SAN from Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie garners praise for his impressive track record on a broad range of aviation-re lated matters, from leasing to disputes.

Lawrence Fubara Anga of AÉLEX is an accomplished transport lawyer, praised for his specialist expertise in aviation matters.

Anthony Idigbe SAN at Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors is a seasoned aviation lawyer with extensive experience across the full spec trum of contentious and non-contentious matters.

George Ikoli & Okagbue’s Lola Ikwuagwu is a highly distinguished practitioner in the Nigerian market whose impressive prac tice specialises in commercial aviation transactions.

At Yomi Oshikoya & Co, Taiwo (Oshikoya) Kola-Balogun is well versed in the full gamut of matters relating to the aviation and aero space industries.

Tokunboh Williams SAN at Chief Rotimi Williams’ Chambers garners praise from sources for his expertise in asset financing and regulatory issues for clients in the avia tion sector.

Uzoma Azikiwe

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is a partner and the head of UUBO’s Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution team. Uzoma was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England on 14th December 2020.

With over 34 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, arbitrator, mediator and conciliator, Uzoma provides advice in maritime, aviation, employment and energy matters. His specialisa tions include advising multinationals on oil, gas and environmental matters, the provision, manning and maintenance of vessels, cabotage issues, tele communications, construction, administrative and constitutional law.

He trained as an International Commercial Arbitrator with several Nigerian and interna tional arbitration organisations including the ICC Institute of World Business Law, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the UK, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (Nigeria), and Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliation. He obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration at St Anne’s College, Oxford, United Kingdom and has benefitted from PIDA training in International Commercial Arbitration, PIDA training in International Commercial Contracts and training by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Uzoma makes presentations, presents depo sitions and gives evidence as a legal expert on Nigerian law before various foreign courts. Most recently, he appeared in this capacity before the High Court of Justice in England (in the 2009 case of Dornoch Limited & Others -v- Westminster International BV & Others) and presented a depo sition on Nigerian law in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, USA in the case of Harry A. Akande –v- TransAmerica Airlines Inc & Others. Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN is the Lead Counsel in providing legal advisory services to and representa tion of British Airways in Nigeria.

He has published articles on commercial law including “The Doctrine of Undisclosed Agency Revisited”, environmental law and arbitration. He presents papers at and conducts seminars for various major service companies in the oil industry in Nigeria on employment and labour matters.

To the extent that can be disclosed, the following are some of the matters that Uzoma has recently worked on:

He led the team and defended Statoil in a USD 230 million Supreme Court claim, where the Supreme Court, in allowing the appeal, dismissed the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

He advises General Electric in a USD 19 million Federal High Court case, which has thrown up several interesting legal issues and has given rise to one Supreme Court decision and four Court of Appeal judgments which have enriched Nigerian jurisprudence.

He was an arbitrator in a dispute between Habila Resources Limited and Daewoo Nigeria Limited in respect of a contract for the dredging of Cawthorne Channels 2 & 3 Flow Stations, Awoba Flow Station and Krakrama Flow Station.

He recently defended (successfully) a foremost Accounting, Auditing, Consulting and a Financial Services firm in an ad- hoc arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

He recently represented a German multina tional oil and gas drilling company in an arbitration under the ICC Rules Case No. 22243/TO in respect of a claim against a Nigerian oil and gas company for the recovery of unpaid invoices of over US$20 Million in connection with a drilling contract.

He recently advised an international telecom munications giant on sundry Nigerian law issues that arose in several enforcements and set aside litigation in various Nigerian courts in relation to an UNCITRAL arbitral award.

He advised a Swiss oil and gas trading company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with a Lagos seated ad- hoc arbitration proceedings in relation to a jetty utilisation agreement.

St. Nicholas House, (10th, 12th & 13th Floors)

Catholic Mission Street Lagos

Tel: +234 1 277 4920 / 2719811 / 2719812 / +234 1 277 4921 uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org www.uubo.org

Fubara is head of the firm’s aviation, maritime and financial services practice groups. Qualified to practise law in Nigeria, Ghana, and England and Wales, he has a strong multidisciplinary back ground in law, economics, management and fiscal policy. He appears as counsel before all superior courts in Nigeria and has acted as counsel or party-appointed arbitrator in several arbitration proceedings.

Fubara has attended and facilitated several aviation-related courses and seminars around the world. These include the annual IATA aviation legal seminars and the ABA aerospace law forum. He is a member of the forum on air and space law of the American Bar Association and the aeronau tical committee in the SBL of the International Bar Association. He is the founder of the Nigerian Aviation Law Society and pioneer chairman, avia tion section, SBL of the Nigerian Bar Association. He authored the Nigeria chapter of the Aircraft Repossession and Enforcement, published by Kluwer Law International.

Some of his major transactions include advising a top aviation company on the structuring of a pool agreement with Nigerian operators in compliance with Nigerian law. He acted on behalf of a top aviation company with the deregistration of an aircraft in enforcement of a foreign judgment.

Fubara was invited by the World Bank as an expert to a joint workshop in Montreal with ATAG and ICAO on “Maximising Civil Aviation’s Economic Impact”. He was chairman of the legal and regu latory subcommittee of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation national steering committee on safety, quality assurance and reforms. He advised the industry and the national regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act. Mr Anga was appointed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as a member of a legal review committee for the revision of the draft Nigerian Civil Aviation Economic Regulations and also as a member of the appeal panel on safety violations, set up under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation. Continued overleaf

WWL says: Uzoma Azikiwe SAN garners praise for his impressive track record on a broad range of aviation-related matters, from leasing to disputes.

Lawrence Fubara Anga AÉLEX

Lawrence Fubara Anga (cont.)

Fubara received a BA in economics and polit ical science from Yale University in 1980, and a BA (1983) and an MA (1988) in law from the University of Cambridge. He is described as a “leading indi vidual” by The Legal 500 (2015).

Anthony Idigbe SAN Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors

Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe is the Senior Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is also involved with consultancy, business and human capital development through its Canadian affil iate, PUNUKA Consulting Inc. He has 39 years of experience in insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute resolution, privatization, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, etc., and has advised clients on several complex transactions. He was licensed to practice law in Nigeria in 1983, appointed Notary Public in 1989 and elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in July 2000. He was licensed to practice law in Ontario, Canada, in June 2016. He holds a doctoral degree in crossborder insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His dissertation was on the role of INSOL International in global norm making with the 1997 UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency as the case study.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) and chairs the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Ibadan. He is a fellow of INSOL International; the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London; the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and the International Bar Association (IBA). In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN); London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA); International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria (ICCN); Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD) and International Insolvency Institute (III).

the company in relation to plane crash involving a Sosoliso aircraft. Anthony is also the retained solic itor of Allied Air, has represented the company on several dispute resolution matters, and advised on vast areas of laws including labour issues amongst others. He advises the Regulator, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on various issues and assisted in defining the regulatory framework for the aviation sector. He also represents FAAN in several cases instituted against them in Court.

On Marine transport, Anthony has conducted arbitration on charter party agreements and advised the National Maritime Authority (NMA), the predecessor of NIMASA.

For a full view of his profile, check https://www. anthonyidigbe.com/

4th Floor, Marble House 1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos Tel: +234 1 279 3365 - 102 lfanga@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Lawrence Fubara Anga is an accomplished transport lawyer, praised for his specialist expertise in aviation matters.

Anthony has been involved in several Aviation matters and has advised Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Ministry of Aviation as well as BPE on aviation issues including priva tisation issues and disputes arising from setting up of national airline. He was Counsel to Sosoliso Airline in respect of the actions instituted against

Plot 45 Oyibo Adjarho Street

Off Ayinde Akinmade Street Lagos Tel: +234 1 270 4789 a.idigbe@punuka.com www.punuka.com

WWL says: Anthony Idigbe SAN is a seasoned aviation lawyer with extensive experience across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters.

Adedoyin Afun

Bloomfield Law Practice adedoyin.afun@bloomfield-law.com

Adedolapo Akinrele SAN

F O Akinrele & Co dolapo_akinrele@foakinrele.com

Kola Awodein SAN Kola Awodein & Co kolaawodein@kolaawodeinandco.com

Uzoma Azikiwe*

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie uzoma.azikiwe@uubo.org

Lawrence Fubara Anga* AÉLEX lfanga@aelex.com

Anthony Idigbe SAN* Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors a.idigbe@punuka.com

Lola Ikwuagwu

George Ikoli & Okagbue likwuagwu@ikoliokagbue.com

Taiwo (Oshikoya) Kola-Balogun

Yomi Oshikoya & Co taiwo_oshikolabalogun@yahoo.co.uk

Folorunsho Majiyagbe SAN

JB Majiyagbe & Co fmajiyagbe@jbmajiyagbeco.com

Etigwe Uwa SAN

Streamsowers & Köhn etigwe@sskohn.com

Tokunboh Williams SAN Chief Rotimi Williams’ Chambers tew@frawilliams.com

TRANSPORT – SHIPPING & MARITIME

In this chapter, we recognise 19 market-leading practitioners for their top-tier work advising clients on complex shipping and maritime disputes.

Most Highly Regarded

Femi Atoyebi SAN of Femi Atoyebi & Co ranks highly in our research and is deemed a key figure in the market for his leading maritime practice.

Adedoyin Afun with Bloomfield Law Practice wins praise from clients who endorse him as a “solution-oriented and knowledgeable” practitioner who possesses “outstanding negotiation and personal relationship skills”.

Babajide Koku & Co’s Babajide Koku SAN stands out for his excellent track record on the full spectrum of maritime disputes.

L Chidi Ilogu SAN at Foundation Chambers is a long-standing fixture in the market who garners praise for his “profound insight into Nigerian maritime law”.

Funke Agbor with Dentons ACAS-Law draws praise from sources for her skilful handling of complex shipping disputes, as both arbitrator and litigator.

Lola Ikwuagwu at George Ikoli & Okagbue is luaded by market commentators for her litigation skills when it comes to shipping and admiralty law.

Mfon Ekong Usoro of Paul Usoro & Co is a greatly appreciated lawyer who excels in a range of maritime disputes, particularly those with an international element.

Lawrence Fubara Anga stands out as a leading name in the market when it comes to complex shipping disputes.

Ken Etim is held in high esteem by peers and clients alike for adpet handling of a broad range of disputes in the shipping industry.

Kashimana Tsumba is commended by market respondents who praise her “professionalism, attention to detail and strong analytical abilities” when it comes to the full spectrum of wet and dry shipping matters.

Donald Ibebuike’s extensive knowledge of shipping and maritime law enables him to “grasp the complexities around disputes”, particularly when it comes to the registration, sale, lease and arrest of vessels.

Adedoyin Afun Bloomfield Law Practice Lagos

Femi Atoyebi SAN Femi Atoyebi & Co Lagos

Biographies

Ken Etim Banwo & Ighodalo

Ken is the managing partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, a leading Nigerian law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja. He obtained his law degree from the University of Uyo, and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. He has been consistently ranked as a top-tier shipping and transport lawyer, and has been involved in practically all of the Firm’s ship ping and transport matters.

Ken’s clientele range from and include insur ance companies, vessel owners, commodity traders, airlines, financial institutions, project sponsors and governments.

Ken advised Oriental Energy Resources Limited on legal and regulatory issues in rela tion to its acquisition and deployment of a floating storage and offloading vessel and a mobile offshore production unit on its Ebok Marginal Field, situate offshore Nigerian waters. He leads the team that routinely advises Investec Bank Plc. in connection with various charter arrangements in respect of the vessels acquired with loan facilities advanced by the bank.

Ken is presently advising the contractor in connection with the Public-Private Kano-Maradi Rail Infrastructure Project.

Ken is also currently advising an international consortium bidding for the Public-Private Project, Lagos 4th Mainland Bridge Project.

Ken is a Notary Public for Nigeria and a member of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association. He has written several articles in leading legal publications and delivered presentations on diverse subjects within his core practice areas.

Lawrence Fubara Anga AÉLEX

Fubara is head of the firm’s aviation, shipping and maritime, and financial services practice groups. Qualified to practise law in Nigeria, Ghana and England and Wales, he has a strong multidiscipli nary background in law, economics, management and fiscal policy. He appears as counsel before all superior courts in Nigeria and has acted as counsel or party-appointed arbitrator in several arbitration proceedings.

He has been involved in litigation and arbi tration covering cross-border multi-jurisdictional disputes and claims in aviation, shipping, insur ance, and banking and finance. His maritime expe rience includes charter party disputes, ship finance, investigations and eventual handling of collision incidents.

Fubara was invited by the World Bank as an expert to a joint workshop in Montreal with ATAG and ICAO on “Maximising Civil Aviation’s Economic Impact”. He was chairman of the legal and regu latory subcommittee of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Aviation national steering committee on safety, quality assurance and reforms. He advised the industry and the national regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act. He was appointed by the NCAA as a member of a legal review committee for the revi sion of the draft Nigerian Civil Aviation Economic Regulations and also as a member of the appeal panel on safety violations, set up under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation.

Fubara received a BA in economics and polit ical science from Yale University in 1980, and a BA (1983) and an MA (1988) in law from the University of Cambridge.

He is described as a “leading individual” by The Legal 500 (2015).

Donald qualified to practice law in Nigeria in 2004 after obtaining his LLB from the Abia State University. He holds LLM in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Donald is one of the Founding Partners of Creed & Brooks and has been involved in shipping, maritime, oil, gas & energy, telecom/technology, dispute resolution, commercial and corporate prac tice of the Firm. He advises, litigates and arbitrates on issues relating to ship acquisition, charter, sale & mortgage, hire & demurrage recovery disputes, arrest & release of vessels; joint ventures, explora tion and production contracts, oil and gas technical service/management contracts, renewable energy, energy/power projects & finance, asset acquisitions and divestment, corporate takeovers and mergers.

He briefly worked at the Marine & International Trade Department of Clyde & Co. LLP, London Office in 2010. He has participated as a delegate as well as a resource person in many local and international conferences and seminars cutting across diverse topics relating to his areas of practice. He has been involved in research relating to oil, gas & energy and shipping, cabotage and local content regime in the shipping and oil and gas sectors in Nigeria, power sector reform, regulation and investment in the renewable energy sources of energy. He is one of the Authors of the LexologyGTDT Nigerian Chapter on Ports & Terminals 2019 and 2020 as well as the Nigerian Chapter on Renewable Energy, 2021; Shipping 2023 and Ports & Terminals 2023.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association; International Bar Association; LCIA, AIPN & Nigerian Maritime Law Association amongst others.

48 Awolowo Road South West Ikoyi Lagos

Tel: +234 8139841360 / 8139841361 / 8139841362 / 8139841363 ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com www.banwo-ighodalo.com

WWL says: Ken Etim is held in high esteem by peers and clients alike for adpet handling of a broad range of disputes in the shipping industry.

4th Floor, Marble House

1 Kingsway Road Falomo, PO Box 52901 Ikoyi, Lagos

Tel: +234 1 2793365 Ext. 102 lfanga@aelex.com www.aelex.com

WWL says: Lawrence Fubara Anga stands out as a leading name in the market when it comes to complex shipping disputes.

3rd Floor (Left Wing), 16 Karimu Kotun Street Victoria Island Lagos

Tel: 816 842 9048

d.ibebuike@creedbrooks.com

WWL says: Donald Ibebuike’s extensive knowledge of shipping and maritime law enables him to “grasp the complexities around disputes”, particularly when it comes to the registration, sale, lease and arrest of vessels.

Donald Ibebuike Creed & Brooks

L Chidi Ilogu SAN

Foundation Chambers

Chidi is the Senior Partner at Foundation Chambers and has over 40 years’ experience in legal practice. Chidi holds a Master’s Degree (LLM) in Maritime Law from Cardiff Law School, University of Wales. He was admitted to the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in July 2012 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators UK.

He is a Consultant to the International Maritime Organization, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), and a Fellow of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. He is the immediate Past President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association and sits on the board of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria. He consults for the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Transport and major Maritime Parastatals in Nigeria on maritime policies and legislation. He also acts for P&I clubs and interna tional law firms specializing in Maritime, Energy and Dispute resolution Practices.

He is part of the team of Consultants who drafted the new Regulations on Maritime Safety, Marine Environment and Maritime Labour pursuant to the amended Merchant Shipping Act.

He is a frequent resource person in Seminars and Workshops relating to these areas of practice and often undertakes expert advice and evidence on matters pertaining to Shipping, Admiralty Practice and Energy.

Chidi acts for several Shipping Agencies, Shipping Lines, Logistics companies, Oil & Gas companies and Port Terminal operators. Chidi was appointed the Chairman of the Federal Ministry of Transport Committee on Complaints of Arbitrary Increases in Local Shipping Charges by Private Terminal Operators (Concessionaires), Ship Agents and Bonded Terminal Operators in 2008.

He served as a member of the Transport Schematic Working Group for the Vision 2020 Committee set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2009. In 2010/2011 Chidi served as Chairman of the Federal Ministry of Transport Port Reforms Evaluation Committee.

He is the Author of Essays on Maritime Law and Practice and Foundation of Carriage of Goods by Sea – The Nigerian Perspective.

Chidi plays the Saxophone, enjoys travelling and teaching. 7th Floor, Architects’ Place 2 Idowu Taylor Street PO Box 70611, Victoria Island Lagos, 101241 Tel: +234 803 402 1910 / +234 903 601 9864 c.ilogu@foundationchambers.com www.foundationchambers.com

WWL says: L Chidi Ilogu SAN is a long-standing fixture in the market who garners praise for his “profound insight into Nigerian maritime law”.

Kashimana Tsumba Foundation Chambers

Kashimana joined Foundation Chambers in 2011 and was admitted to Partnership in 2020. She started out as a law school intern at Foundation Chambers. She holds a Masters in Maritime Law from the University of Southampton. Kashimana served as an intern with the International Maritime Organization UK. She was a visiting Researcher at the Institute of Maritime Law, University of Southampton.

Kashimana oversees the Maritime and Energy teams in the Firm. Her experience cuts across Offshore technology, Shipping & Admiralty, EPC contracts, Port Concessions and Renewable Energy. She advises Process Engineers, Terminal Operators,Ship owners and their insurers in rela tion to a range of wet and dry shipping matters. She has directly been involved in enforcement proceed ings in respect of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association.

She handles contentious matters and has been involved in litigation pertaining to Cargo Claims, demurrage, Ship arrests, Personal injury, Piracy, illegal bunkering, and collisions.

She is conversant with filing Caveats, Vessel Registration, and the indigenous Local content compliance requirements for foreign operators in the industry.

Kashimana has several published international articles in reputable journals including the Lloyds list group.She also acts as a resource person for the Nigerian Shippers Council with respect to the International Maritime Seminar for Judges.

Kashimana is passionate about continuing professional development and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Maritime Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. She is also the current Secretary of the African Continental Free Trade Transport Group. She is the Assistant Publicity Secretary of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa.

She enjoys cycling, playing the violin and hiking.

DIRECTORY

Jean Chiazor Anishere OFIANYI CHAMBERS jeanchiazorandco@ofianyichambers.com

Mfon Ekong Usoro

Paul Usoro & Co mfon@paulusoro.com

Ken Etim*

Banwo & Ighodalo ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com

Lawrence Fubara Anga* AÉLEX lfanga@aelex.com

Donald Ibebuike* Creed & Brooks d.ibebuike@creedbrooks.com

Lola Ikwuagwu

Emmanuel Achukwu

The Campbell Law Firm thecampbell@hyperia.com

Adedoyin Afun Bloomfield Law Practice adedoyin.afun@bloomfield-law.com

Funke Agbor

Dentons ACAS-Law fagbor@acas-law.com

Adedolapo Akinrele SAN

F O Akinrele & Co dolapo_akinrele@foakinrele.com

Oluwole Akinyeye T.B Akinyeye & Co oluwole@oal.law

Femi Atoyebi, SAN Femi Atoyebi & Co femi@femiatoyebi.com.ng

Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN Strachan Partners cacj@strachanpartners.com

George Ikoli & Okagbue likwuagwu@ikoliokagbue.com

L Chidi Ilogu SAN* Foundation Chambers c.ilogu@foundationchambers.com

Babajide Koku SAN Babajide Koku & Co info@bkclegal.com

Ayo Olorunfemi Femi Atoyebi & Co ayo.olorunfemi@femiatoyebi.com.ng

Ladi Taiwo Abdulai Taiwo & Co l.taiwo@abdulaitaiwo.com.ng Kashimana Tsumba* Foundation Chambers k.tsumba@foundationchambers.com Chisa Uba

Dentons ACAS-Law cuba@acas-law.com

7th Floor, Architects’ Place

2 Idowu Taylor Street

PO Box 70611, Victoria Island Lagos, 101241 Tel: +234 810 369 8795 k.tsumba@foundationchambers.com www.foundationchambers.com

WWL says: Kashimana Tsumba is commended by market respondents who praise her “professionalism, attention to detail and strong analytical abilities” when it comes to the full spectrum of wet and dry shipping matters.

An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages.

Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.