Team size: Three

Major Legal Advisers: G Elias and Olaniwun Ajayi & Co

Jurisdictions your role covers: Nigeria

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

Involvement and participation in the acquisition of majority equity interest in Nigeria’s leading oil and gas exploration and production company.

Participation in the transaction for the refinancing of over $800m acquisition loan transactions in the oil and gas space.

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

A corporate counsel should be the board advisor providing strategic legal advice to the board on how to comply with laws and regulations usually through policies and streghtening the compliance mechanism of the company.

How is your legal team navigating Nigeria’s evolving regulatory compliance requirements, particularly under CAMA 2020, ISA 2025, and Central Bank directives?

We continue to advise management and the board on how to comply with the extant laws by reviewing and advising appropriately once any new laws are made. We also use compliance mechanism to ensure no infractions are recorded.

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

We have used a lot of negotiations, conciliation and arbitration. But above all, we have a robust contracting drafting and review system the eliminates conflicts to the barest minimum

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

For cross border transactions, while I advise on Nigerian law, I would have a foreign counsel advise on the foreign elements.

How is your legal department leveraging technology to improve compliance monitoring, contract management, or governance reporting?

We have adopted a lot of technological input to our work especially the very repetitive and routine types. We are also mindful of privacy issues while using technological support.