Nigeria: Oil & Gas
At the time of writing, the Nigerian government is in the process of pushing through the Petroleum Industry Bill, which promises to reshape and modernise the country’s oil and gas industry. With a key aim of the legislation being to encourage foreign investment and foster competition, coupled with historic highs in the price of oil, this sector looks to become even busier in the coming years. In this chapter we single out 21 lawyers who are at the cutting edge of this marketplace.
There are a number of firms with multiple entries. Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie stands out as an “exceptional firm” with three listings in this chapter. Managing partner Myma Belo-Osagie is an “outstanding” lawyer who heads the oil and gas team. Dan Agbor has made history advising on Nigeria’s earliest global depositary receipt programme and its first independent power project. Folake Adebowale is a “favourite with clients” for matters related to the energy sector.
At AELEX, Soji Awogbade is “breaking new ground” in environmental law with his focus on developing Nigeria’s legal, regulatory and policy framework.
Gbenga Oyebode, the managing partner of Aluko & Oyebode, is one of the foremost practitioners in the country for oil, gas and power projects. Olubunmi Fayokun is also listed from the firm and has a wealth of experience having acted for international oil companies. She is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.
Adedolapo Akinrele SAN, the managing partner of F O Akinrele & Co, is a “prominent” figure in corporate and commercial cases relating to the oil
and gas sector. At the same firm, Adamu Usman is also highly respected for his “top-class” work.
Templars managing partner Oghogho Akpata is also the head of the firm’s energy and projects group. With his “vast knowledge” of the Nigerian oil and gas sector, he has advised clients from around the world. Dayo Okusami is a “highly praised” partner at the firm whose main focus is on advising multinational corporate clients in the energy sector.
Ken Etim of Banwo & Ighodalo is an “esteemed” lawyer for energy and project finance transactions and a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. At the same firm, Asue Ighodalo is a “remarkable” lawyer who puts his economic background to good use in understanding the businesses he is working with to ensure results in negotiations and deals.
The “top-tier” Sola Adepetun specialises in energy and project finance matters, including giving advice on strategic alliances in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Felicia Kemi Segun also scored highly, and was described as a “leading practitioner” in transactional work in the sector.
Tope Solola of Solola & Akpana is judged by her peers to be “exceptional” in her work as head of the environment, energy and natural resources practice group. Ovie Ukiri of Ajumogobia & Okeke is distinguished for her “superior” international work.
Bayo Adaralegbe of Babbalakin & Co is a fellow of the Energy Institute and is noted for his advisory work on policy aspects of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Bill. Richard Akinjide SAN, the founding partner of Akindjide & Co, was described as a “leading authority” by our interviewees.
Sam Okagbue, managing partner of George Ikoli & Okagbue is well known for being an “expert” in the environmental sector. He specialises in oil and gas exploration and development in Nigeria. Uche Nwokedi of Uche Nwokedi & Co works for multinational oil companies and has been selected in our research for his reputation among clients as a “skilled and experienced oil and gas lawyer”.