Nigeria: Banking
The following 14 lawyers are the most highly regarded representatives of nigeria’s rapidly developing and complex banking market.
Managing partner of Olaniwun Ajayi LP Konyinsola Ajayi SAN is “one the best banking lawyers in Nigeria, and works on the biggest deals”. He received the most votes in our banking research this year, a testament to his highly acclaimed practice and reputation. He also features in four other chapters, including project finance, for his funding work in the energy sector, as does Tominiyi Owolabi, a lawyer recognised for his structured financing and general transactions practice. Owolabi also features in the M&A section of the research.
At AELEX, Lawrence Fubara Anga combines his background in law, economics, management and fiscal policy to instruct on banking finance for energy and transportation projects. He advises clients such as Dubri Oil on production ventures and foreign direct investment into Nigeria, and enjoys further listings in the aviation and project finance chapters.
Founding partner of one of Nigeria’s foremost firms, Gbenga Oyebode MFR manages Aluko & Oyebode and heads the corporate and energy groups, where he directs clients on energy financing and foreign investment. Kofo Dosekun is a “strong banking lawyer” with an established corporate finance practice, focussing on privatisation, local and foreign currency syndicated lending, leases, structured trade investment and many other areas. Oghogho Makinde’s practice centres on regulatory compliance and company and energy financing. All three practitioners are listed additionally in our project finance section.
At his own firm, B Ayorinde & Co, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN covers a range of commercial areas. He is highly regarded for his work on local banking, company and corporate law, as well as commercial litigation, for which he received a second listing. James Okoh at Oditah provides contentious and non-contentious advice on commercial and financial matters for clients such as Enron Nigeria and Shell Nigeria. Chief Ladi Taiwo at Abdulai Taiwo & Co is a veteran inclusion in our research – a reflection of his continued “leadership in the profession”.
Banwo & Ighodalo boasts two inclusions once again: Femi Olubanwo and Ayotunde Owoigbe. Olubanwo is a “top banking name in the list” and is also known for his IP work. Head of the corporate finance group, Owoigbe is “very active and involved in the market”, and has acted for Stanbic IBTC, BNP Paribas and many other financial institutions.
At Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, head of the banking and finance, power, private equity and taxation teams Dan Agbor advises on secured transactions, structured financing, fund establishment, derivatives and equity/debt conversions. He is a “definite yes” for inclusion in this chapter and in the project finance chapter. Joining him is the co-head of the banking and finance teams, Aniekan Ukpanah, a specialist in financing for public projects and real estate. Co-head of the asset management and collective investment practice, Yinka Edu focuses on financial and capital markets work, such as investment grade transactions, securities, currency swaps and funds. She features in the capital markets, M&A and IP chapters in this year’s research.