What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

The NNPC Legal Team has been involved in a wide range of cases and transactions. The cases cover environmental issues, labour relations, breach of contract, trespass, etc. One notable case is an arbitration initiated in 2015 by one of the IOCs operating in Nigeria. The arbitral tribunal was requested to interpret the provisions of the governing Agreement and determine whether NNPC’s actions were in line with the terms of the Agreement. Following a vigorous defence of NNPC’s position, closing of arbitration in 2017 and failed attempts for an amicable settlement, a successful outcome in NNPC’s favour was recorded in November, 2025.

With regards to commercial transactions, the NNPC Legal Team has provided and is currently providing support in a number of third-party financing deals, some closed and others at various stages of closing. The Legal Team also provides legal support in managing the risks inherent in NNPC’s upstream, downstream and midstream projects.

What role does corporate counsel play in strengthening corporate governance in light of Nigeria’s recent reforms and stakeholder expectations?

Under Nigeria’s recent reforms, corporate counsel plays a central role in embedding effective governance into day-to-day decision-making. We translate legal frameworks such as the CAMA 2020 and PIA 2021 into practical governance structures by advising on directors’ duties, board composition, delegations, conflicts management, disclosures and internal controls. In the context of NNPC Limited’s transition to a CAMA-governed company with an independent board, counsel supports a shift from public-sector focused compliance to private-sector governance discipline. We align board and management conduct with law, strategy and stakeholder expectations.

What strategies has your legal team adopted to manage disputes and mitigate risks in Nigeria’s dynamic business environment?

Our approach is grounded in early risk identification and disciplined execution. We have tightened contract management, standardised risk positions, and built escalation protocols to address issues before they crystallise into disputes. Where disputes arise, we actively manage strategy from inception using structured engagements and targeted ADR to control exposure, while reserving litigation for matters with material financial or precedent risk. A key pillar of our strategy has been building and investing in a high-calibre legal team with strong sector, regulatory and disputes expertise. As a result, we have successfully defended up to 82% of our disputes, thus reducing financial exposure and protecting the company’s commercial position.

How do you advise on cross-border transactions and foreign investment, given Nigeria’s complex regulatory and dispute resolution landscape?

In advising on cross-border transactions, we focus on structuring and risk allocation. For foreign investments, we guide deal teams on sector-specific approvals, competition, local content and tax considerations, and ensuring that these are built into transaction timelines and conditions precedent. We work closely with foreign counsel to align Nigerian law requirements with international market practice, particularly on governing law, enforcement and dispute resolution. Where foreign governing law is proposed, we carefully assess enforceability in Nigeria and structure arbitration and enforcement mechanisms to manage risk, provide certainty and protect deal value.