Olaniwun Ajayi LP > Abuja, Nigeria > Firm Profile

Olaniwun Ajayi LP
4TH FLOOR, LEADWAY HOUSE, PLOT 1061
CADASTRAL AVENUE, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
ABUJA
Nigeria

Nigeria > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Olaniwun Ajayi LP‘s ‘highly results-oriented‘ team stands out for its broad financing capabilities, with a key focus on the oil and gas sector. The group also fields expertise in capital market transactions, regulatory matters, and restructuring issues. Tominiyi Owolabi and Folashade Oluyadi are well known for advising clients in the oil and gas sector, and Wolemi Esan is active in the power, infrastructure, and mining sectors. Yewande Senbore, Abisola Odeinde, and Ibi Ogunbiyi handle a range of transactional mandates. Folake Alabi, Chinenye Ajayi and Ogechi Onuoha are key practitioners to note. Yemisi Taiwo has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Tominiyi Owolabi; Wolemi Esan; Yewande Senbore

Testimonials

‘A highly result-oriented team, leveraging good leadership and communication skills to achieve a common goal for clients. The team’s proactiveness, collaboration and attention to detail was second to none.’

‘Professionalism, readiness, and attention to detail. The competence of Chinenye Ajayi is worth noting.’

‘The firm has an established crop of lawyers, a lot of whom are highly respected and revered in the industry.’

‘The firm is highly collaborative and able to provide real-time advice.’

‘Exemplary knowledge across different aspects of law. Yewande Sembore is a gem.’

Key clients

Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited

NNPC E & P Limited

Seplat Energy Plc

Nigeria LNG Limited

International Finance Corporation

Anoh Gas Processing Company Limited

West Africa Gas Limited

COPDC Petroleum Development Company Limited

CMES-OMS Petroleum Development Company Limited

Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited

Standard Chartered Bank

Access Bank Plc

African Export-Import Bank

First City Monument Bank Limited

First Bank of Nigeria Limited

GuarantCo Limited

Ecobank Nigeria Limited

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc

Union Bank UK Plc

United Bank for Africa Plc

Africa Finance Corporation

Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

First City Monument Bank Limited

First Bank of Nigeria Limited

Nithio F I B. V

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc

Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF)

Citibank North America

Citi Global Markets Limited

Symbiotics Group Limited

Emirates NBD

United Capital Infrastructure Fund

BUA Cement Plc

Work highlights

  • Advising NNPC E & P Limited on a landmark USD3 billion development of petroleum assets in the Kolmani River area of Northern Nigeria.
  • Advising West African Gas Limited and its affiliates on the debt-to-equity conversion of the financing obtained for the development of the OML 11 oil field.
  • Advising BUA Cement Plc on a US$500,000,000 term loan for the expansion of the client’s integrated cement plant.

Nigeria > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The ‘responsive and easily accessible' team at Olaniwun Ajayi LP has a particularly strong offering in corporate restructurings. The practice is jointly led by Olayimika Phillips, Jonathan Aluju, and M&A expert Anu Balogun. Wolemi Esan brings expertise in corporate finance, and Olaniran Osotuyi is well versed in advising on regulatory issues. Other notable lawyers with experience in the corporate and commercial space are Comfort Agboola and Oluwaseyi Alao, who are very experienced in handling private equity matters.

Practice head(s):

Anu Balogun; Olayimika Phillips; Jonathan Aluju

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Olaniwun Ajayi LP is very robust. The team offers intelligent opinions and comes up with creative and practical solutions.’

‘Very responsive and easily accessible.’

‘Solution-driven with a strong team of advisers.’

‘The team’s attention to detail makes them stand out. The individuals in the team were in touch almost every day to resolve issues.’

‘In-depth knowledge of both the Nigerian and UK law systems, with a very pragmatic approach to getting the deal done.’

‘The lawyers are very global in their perspective.’

Key clients

AfricInvest Anglophone West Africa

Suntory Beverage and Food Asia Pte Limited

First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited

Kasada GP Limited

Sprint Technology Solutions Limited

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited

Rack Centre Limited

Moody’s Group Cyprus Limited

Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited

Nigeria > Dispute resolution Tier 1

The ‘robust‘ practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP is well known for representing financial institutions, private corporations, and public sector entities in a broad range of matters. Olabisi Makanjuola is experienced in handling capital markets issues, shareholder disputes and litigation arising from infrastructure projects, and is also active in white-collar crime matters. Oluseye Opasanya brings expertise in advising on international disputes, while Konyin Ajayi handles investment litigation and Echefu Ukattah has a solid track record in assisting with contentious maritime mandates. Michael Amadi is a key contact for contentious construction and oil and gas matters, and Abiola Tella is active in debt recovery, aviation and employment claims.

Practice head(s):

Olabisi Makanjuola; Echefu Ukattah

Testimonials

‘The practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP is very robust. The team offers intelligent opinions and comes up with creative and practical solutions.’

‘Responsive and easily accessible, the team is intelligent and this reflects in the quality of opinion.’

‘The firm has built a sterling reputation for its excellence delivery, superior legal work, and bespoke client service. The partners and associates are very knowledgeable and client oriented.’

‘A team of fine and savvy lawyers.’

‘Accessible, available, and the team devotes sufficient time to manage cases.’

‘Oluseye Opasanya shows great depth in solutions provided and is very accessible to clients. Olabisi Makanjuola is vibrant, intelligent, and is always willing to help solve problems. Abiola Tella is creative and intelligent.’

‘Oluseye Opasanya and Olabisi Makanjuola’s considerable experience, depth of research and accessibility stand out from other litigators in the market.’

‘Echefu Ukatta has in depth knowledge of maritime litigation and practices.’

Key clients

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited

TAV Airports Holding Company

Federal Ministry of Justice Nigeria

BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited

Vigeo Power Limited

Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited

Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc (KEDCO)

ENL Consortium Limited (ENL)

First City Monument Bank

Atlas Mara Limited

Nigeria > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

The ‘brilliant, diverse, and very knowledgeable’ team at Olaniwun Ajayi LP handles a broad range of matters, including infrastructure project developments and M&A. Tominiyi Owolabi and Ibi Ogunbiyi are regularly instructed by government entities, while Wolemi Esan is an expert in advising on infrastructure, mining, and power assets. Damilola Salawu has expertise in advising on the acquisition and development of downstream, midstream, and upstream assets. Ganiyat Seriki is a name to note.

Practice head(s):

Tominiyi Owolabi; Wolemi Esan; Ibi Ogunbiyi

Other key lawyers:

Damilola Salawu; Ganiyat Seriki; Folashade Oluya; Olamide Falom

Testimonials

‘A brilliant, diverse, and very knowledgeable team.’

‘The team was awesome and unique in its approach to client relationships.’

‘The coordination, resourcefulness, and management of Ibi Ogunbiyi was super. The quality of service delivered by the team was top notch and of international standard.’

‘Olaniwun Ajayi staffed our project with a team of brilliant individuals who provided high quality yet personable service. The team collaborated with our inhouse team regularly.’

‘Ganiyat Seriki demonstrated particularly impressive skill.’

Key clients

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Corporation

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Company Limited

NNPC E & P Limited

Nigeria LNG Limited

N-Gas Limited

International Finance Corporation

Dangote Industries Limited

Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited

Seplat Energy Plc

African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited

Suntrust Oil Company Limited

Gasland Company Limited

Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited

Aiteo Eastern E & P Limited

CMES-OMS Petroleum Development Company Limited

Sahara Group Limited

West Africa Gas Limited

ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited

COPDC Petroleum Development Company Limited

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission

Genesis Hydrocarbon Limited

COPDC Petroleum Development

West African Exploration and Production Company Limited

Ingentia Energies Limited

SRS E & P Limited

Energia Limited

YYConnect Consulting Limited

Damas Petrochemical and Refinery Limited

Antan Producing Limited

HeirsHoldings Oil & Gas Limited

Energy Company of the Future

Lagos State Government

First Global Commerce Solutions

FGN Power Company Limited

Africa Finance Corporation

FG Gold

Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising NNPC E & P Limited on a landmark multi-billion-dollar development of upstream and midstream assets in the Kolmani River area of Northern Nigeria.
  • Advising NNPC Limited on the divestment of Addax’s rights under certain production sharing contracts relating to OMLs.
  • Advising ECOF on a long-term strategic investment in electricity distribution assets in Nigeria.

Nigeria > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Olaniwun Ajayi LP's practice is well-regarded for its expertise in transactional real estate and construction matters. Wolemi Esan is sought after for advising on infrastructure development matters, and Ibi Ogunbiyi is noted for her expertise in assisting with greenfield and brownfield projects. Abisola Odeinde and Chinenye Ajayi specialise in project finance work. Ganiyat Seriki is a key member of the group.

Practice head(s):

Wolemi Esan; Ibi Ogunbiyi; Abisola Odeinde; Chinenye Ajayi

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Olaniwun Ajayi is the go-to law firm on issues relating to construction and infrastructure. The team has been very supportive in terms of drafting and reviewing our construction contracts. We are very pleased with its services.’

‘The practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP is very robust. The team offers intelligent opinions and comes up with creative and practical solutions.’

‘Very responsive, accessible, and intelligent.’

Key clients

Osborne Properties and Investment Limited

Lagos State Government

First Global Commerce Solutions

Kasada GP Limited

Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Ltd

FGN Power Company Limited

ECOF Kaduna Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising the Lagos State Government on all legal issues relating to a 38km fourth mainland bridge.
  • Advising First Metro Infrastructure Limited and First Global Commerce Solutions on all legal matters pertaining to a 30km light rail project.
  • Advising Consortium Nigeria Future Airports in connection with the proposed concession of international airport and cargo terminals in Abuja and Kano.