Real estate and construction in Nigeria

Banwo & Ighodalo

The ‘competent, capable, efficient and timely’ team at Banwo & Ighodalo works on a number of novel mandates in the real estate space, including major joint venture PPP, retail centres, and city developments. The firm has also advised on a number of major infrastructure projects, alongside its broader practice in transactional and regulatory work. Olumide Osundolire leads the team, focussing on infrastructure and related project finance in addition to real estate matters. Other notable team members include Stella Duru , who specialises in infrastructure projects in the energy space, and senior associate Olamide Oshikoya, who advises on matters across the breadth of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Olumide Osundolire

Other key lawyers:

Olamide Oshikoya; Stella Duru

Testimonials

‘The team was able to help us with the registration process within a shorter time frame.’

‘Olamide Oshikoya who was the lead senior associate on the transaction was really responsive; he gave timely updates on the registration process.’

‘The team is competent, capable, efficient and timely. With Banwo & Ighodalo, best practice and what is in the best interest of the client overrides everything else.’

Key clients

Family Homes Funds Limited

Ocean City Lagos Limited

Edo State Government

Mantrac Nigeria Limited

Everty Nigeria Limited

Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited

Oriental Energy Resources Limited

Mota-Engil Engenharia E Construção Africa, S.A

Kaduna State Government

Grenadines Homes Limited

Corona Schools Trust Council

Palton Morgan Holdings

Cummins West Africa Limited

Fate Foundation Ltd/GTE

Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbola

Work highlights

  • Advising Ocean City Lagos Limited on its proposed development of a smart, green and self-sustaining city by reclaiming land from the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Advising KD Towers Limited in connection with the demolition and re-development of the Kaduna State Government’s liaison office into four towers.
  • Advised Family Homes Funds Limited in connection with the sale of 432 units of residential apartments within four states in Nigeria.

G. Elias & Co

G. Elias & Co works primarily in financing mandates for infrastructure and construction, advising on the acquisition and divestment of real estate assets and construction projects. The firm also has a strong advisory and transactional offering for construction, working across a range of sectors in Nigeria such as healthcare, transport, and luxury residential properties. Fred Onuobia leads the team, employing his broader experience in corporate and commercial matters to both public and private clients in real estate. Fidelis Adewole is also of note, with experience in due diligence and project structuring.

Practice head(s):

Gbolahan Elias

Other key lawyers:

Fidelis Adewole

Key clients

Lagos State Government

Ranjy Construction and Foundation Limited

African Capital Alliance

El Alan Group

Deux Projects Limited

Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited

Leadway Capital and Trusts Limited

Radix Trustees Limited

Mr. Biodun Disu

Harmony Glass Business Associates

Work highlights

  • Advising the Lagos State Government on the development of the 37km railway line between Alagbado and Marina, part of the light rail “Red Line”.
  • Advising a Consortium on the concession for the development of an ultra-modern Medical Centre with state-of-the-art equipment and supporting infrastructure in Lagos State.
  • Advised El Alan and Kaizen Properties Limited on the tax structuring, construction and monetization of a luxury residential tower and 600-unit, mixed-use development.

Olajide Oyewole LLP

Olajide Oyewole LLP advise a number of high-profile Nigerian clients on the full sweep of legal work, with notable matters in the public and energy sectors. The team is headed by Abutu Odu who supplements his advice on the full-range of real estate matters with experience in disputes. Solape Peters brings her experience in finance and projects to a number of complex infrastructure matters.

Practice head(s):

Abutu Odu; Solape Peters

Key clients

Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited

First World Communities Limited

Cappa and D’Alberto Limited

Anxin Industrial Technology Nigeria Limited

Lagos Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority

Argentil Capital Partners

DHL Express Nigeria Limited

Broll Property Services Limited

NNPC Limited

Igbobi Development Company Limited

Foodco Nigeria Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited on the capacity recovery and expansion of its units at Kainji, Niger State.
  • Advising Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority on the development of two mass transit light rail metro lines being constructed by the Lagos State Government.
  • Acted as the borrower’s counsel for a debt and equity investment in the development, operation and maintenance of a gas processing plant.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie advises on the full range of real estate matters, with notable work in property and infrastructure acquisitions and construction for multinational clients in the telecoms, finance, FMCG, and real estate sectors. Aniekan Ukpanah heads the practice, using his expertise as head of the banking practice to assist a wide range of clients in infrastructure mandates, real estate projects, and the related financing. He works alongside Adeola Sunmola who specialises in mortgages.

Practice head(s):

Aniekan Ukpanah

Other key lawyers:

Adeola Sunmola; Ekundayo Onajobi

Testimonials

‘Most members of the team understood the culture of the company and expectations of the client. As a result, the end product is always above the industry average.’

‘Mr. Ekundayo Onajobi is a noteworthy professional. He always makes himself available and goes the extra mile to satisfy the client.’

Key clients

Duval Properties Limited

UAC Foods Limited

British American Tobacco Marketing

Mediterranean Shipping Company

First Concepts & Properties Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising Mediterranean Shipping Company on the lease of a property situated at Snake Island Free Trade Zone for the development of a port terminal.
  • Advising UAC Foods Limited in connection with the acquisition of a 20-hectare land in Ogun State.
  • Advising Duval Properties Limited in connection with the mixed-use development of its 31.44 hectares situated around Jabi Lake, Abuja.

Abdulai, Taiwo & Co

Abdulai, Taiwo & Co has been very active in the PPP space, particularly in relation to major infrastructure projects, though has also been involved in a range of matters including disputes, financing, regulatory work, and portfolio management. Team lead Alayo Ogunbiyi also heads the banking and finance practice, bringing her broad experience to real estate where she works alongside Oluwaseyi Adebayo, who focusses on regulation, and Samuel Ibrahim who specialises in litigation.

Practice head(s):

Alayo Ogunbiyi

Other key lawyers:

Oluwaseyi Adebayo; Samuel Ibrahim

Key clients

Pernix Federal, Inc.

Federal Govt. of Nigeria

Debt Management Office

B.L Harbert Contractors, LLC.

Ikoyi Hotels Ltd.

Shelter Afrique

Federal Mortgage Bank

Shonny Investment & Properties Co. Ltd.

CRCC Construction Co. Ltd.

CRCC Investments Group Co. Ltd. Hong Kong

Marina Express Train Services Ltd.

Federal Ministry of Aviation

Agbara Estates Ltd.

Value Homes Signature Investment Nigeria Ltd.

Marina Quayside Development Co. Ltd.

La Terre Batiment Ltd.

FGN Roads Sukuk Company Plc

Work highlights

  • Advised Debt Management Office on NGN 250 Billion Federal Government of Nigeria Sovereign Sukuk 2021 to finance construction of Roads and Infrastructure.
  • Advising Pernix Federal, Inc. and its local subsidiaries om the USD537,000,000 construction of the new U.S. Consular Office in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.

Aluko & Oyebode

Aluko & Oyebode is particularly active in the PPP in the infrastructure space, advising on the full scope of matters arising from a number of major mandates. The firm’s offering extends to advisory work for a number of multinational companies and the team has experience in the development of residential properties. Adeniyi Adegbonmire heads the practice, representing a number of clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings. Notable team members include Babatunde Fagbohunlu, who specialises in disputes, Oludare Senbore, who advises primarily on infrastructure finance, and Oghogho Makinde, who coordinates advisory and regulatory work.

Practice head(s):

Adeniyi Adegbonmire

Other key lawyers:

Babatunde Fagbohunlu; Oghogho Makinde; Oludare Senbore; Joke Aliu; Cephas Caleb; Funmilola Aliu

Testimonials

‘Their expertise in specialized areas of business negotiations such as renewable PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) makes them stand out to me. They correspond in an efficient and modern way, using technology to speed up processes.’

‘I have always found Joke Aliu and Cephas Caleb a delight to work with. Two things standout to me: their ability to listen and ask the right questions.’

‘The team response to issues is very good and highly commendable.’

‘I greatly admire the high level of efficiency, humility and support always displayed by Oghogho Makinde. She is an exceptionally good individual who takes clients issues very seriously. Funmilola Aliu is also very swift in her response to issues.’

‘I have known the firm Aluko & Oyebode for over 7 years, having interactions as a client both in my current and previous roles. They provide a diverse and strong team with various specialties which I find useful in unlocking some complex problems. Their cross-specialisation capabilities from finance to litigations to real estate is a unique differentiating factor from others in the market.’

‘The service team for our business is led by Mrs Joke Aliu, a partner in the Firm’s Abuja Office. What I value the most from Mrs Aliu are her sense of ownership over engagements contracted and approachability. We are very often able to brainstorm together on issues affecting our business from an especially proactive lens to avoid real issues that could materialize.’

Key clients

Frontier Oil Limited

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria Limited

Montaigne A.H. Limited

Tetra Pak West Africa Ltd

Energoprojekt Oprema AD Beograd

Nigeria Agip Oil Company

China Development Bank

Anjeed Kafanchan Solar Limited

Impala Energy Holdings LLP

Land of Honey

Work highlights

  • Advising MTN Nigeria Communications Plc in connection with the construction of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway Road, under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.
  • Advising CCECC Nigeria Limited with respect to its bid for the proposed development, financing, and operation  of the Lagos State 4th Mainland Bridge.
  • Advised Frontier Oil Limited in connection with the construction and installation of a 10MBOPD crude oil processing facility in OML 13 onshore Nigeria.

Bloomfield LP

Bloomfield LP advise on a broad range of real estate mandates, with notable work on work in the renewable energy and luxury residential property spaces. The firm applies its industry knowledge to legal advisory work for private and commercial clients, and allows the team to engage in a number of innovative projects. Adedoyin Afun heads the practice with an extensive expertise in the full range of real estate work, extending to transactional and litigation work across a variety of asset classes.

Practice head(s):

Adedoyin Afun

Other key lawyers:

Ayodele Oni

Testimonials

‘The team provided a service with excellent structure, affordability, and technical aptness.’

Key clients

Vixen Enterprises Limited

Enaro Energy Limited

The Executors of Mr. Kayode Williams’ Estate

Milhouse Energy Services Limited

P E Bitumen Resources Nigeria Limited

Purple Real Estate Development Plc.

Lekki Retailtainment Limited

Ikechukwu Okolo

Capital Trust Investments & Asset Management Limited

Manzuwa Ventures Limited

United Capital Trustees

Iwosan Lagoon Hospital Limited (formerly known as Hygeia Nigeria Limited)”

Work highlights

  • Advised PE Bitumen in relation to the purchase of a depot terminal in the Apapa region of Lagos State valued at over $100,000,000.
  • Advising LRL in relation to the development, lease and management of a state-of-the-art retail, entertainment, and residential centre in the Lekki Area, Lagos state.
  • Advising PREIP on the construction of its retail and residential developments situated in Lekki and Maryland, Lagos State, all valued at over US$10,000,000.

Jackson, Etti & Edu

Jackson, Etti & Edu advises a number of multinational clients in general real estate matters concerning their Nigerian operations and undertakes a variety of transactional work, though has a particular expertise in project finance in infrastructure. Practice head Taiwo Adeshina works alongside founding partner Lookman Durosinmi-Etti, who uses his industry experience as a real estate and commercial property consultant to assist on all aspects of the firm’s practice.

Practice head(s):

Taiwo Adeshina; Lookman Durosinmi-Etti

Other key lawyers:

Koye Edu; Fola Olusanya; Asama Kadiri

Key clients

Orange Island Development Company Limited

Standard Chartered Bank

FABAC Properties Limited

Cash n Carry

TGF Real Estate Limited

Fred Coker

OPAC

Sony Music Publishing

GreenElec Integrated Power Solutions

Cash & Carry

Fairways & Greens

Work highlights

  • Advised Orange Island Development Company on a PPP with the Lagos State Government on land reclamation from Lagos Lagoon for mixed-use development.
  • Advising OMSA Pillar Astex Company Limited on the construction and operation of a 10,000BPD modular refinery.
  • Advised Stanbic IBTC Infrastructure Fund in its N12,000,000,000 senior term loan facility for the construction of a 20,000MT mixed liquefied gas storage terminal and related infrastructure.

Olaniwun Ajayi LP

Olaniwun Ajayi LP specialises in infrastructure developments, advising project sponsors, local and international lenders, and Nigerian borrowing entities on the financing and concessions for a number of high-profile mandates. Wolemi Esan leads the team on this infrastructure work, where he is able to employ his experience in energy and real estate, working alongside Ibi Ogunbiyi and her expertise in construction. Other notable members of the team are Jonathan Aluju , Abisola Odeinde, and Ejemen Ofoman , each bringing experience in infrastructure work across a range of sectors.

Practice head(s):

Wolemi Esan

Other key lawyers:

Ibi Ogunbiyi; Abisola Odeinde; Ejemen Ofoman; Tominiyi Owolabi; Khruschev Ekwueme; Bisi Makanjuola; Jonathan Aluju

Testimonials

‘Excellent hands-on approach to solving client’s problems, always available to answer questions and provide clarifications on key concerns of our business’

‘Gentlemen lawyers who are excellent at building and sustaining relationships. Dr. Tominiyi Owolabi is professional at all times, and Dr. Khruschev Ekwueme and Mr. Bisi Makanjuola are knowledgeable about their industry.’

Key clients

Osborne Properties and Investment Limited

Lagos State Government

First Global Commerce Solutions

Africa Finance Corporation

Flutterwave Technology Limited

GIZ

Central Bank of Nigeria

Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority

Ogun State Government

First Investment Company Development Limited

Evercare Group

ENL Consortium Limited

Reddington Hospital Lekki

Kasada GP Limited

Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advising the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Africa Finance Corporation and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on the establishment of a N15 Trillion infrastructure project vehicle.
  • Advising the Lagos State Government in connection with the proposed development, financing, operation and management of the 38 kilometre fourth mainland bridge.
  • Advising First Metro Infrastructure Limited and First Global Commerce Solutions in connection with the proposed 30km light rail from Marina to Agbado.