July Policy Trend Trail

Nigeria's power sector experienced significant regulatory and industry developments in August 2026, including NERC's intervention in Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc, the transfer of regulatory oversight to state commissions, and the launch of a Renewable Asset Management Company. These developments demonstrate the continuing implementation of Nigeria's decentralised electricity market framework and increased regulatory intervention in distressed distribution businesses.

When structuring a facility in leveraged finance, it is important to bear in mind that a lender's protection is only as strong as the loopholes in the financing agreement.

A Cooperative Society is a voluntary association of individuals, united by common bond, who have come together to pursue their economic goals for their own benefits.

Repatriation is the process of returning people, money, or heritage items to their home country or culture. In the financial sector, repatriation refers to the conversion or exchange of foreign currency...

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC/Commission") has issued a Framework on Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program for the Onboarding of Virtual Assets Service Providers...

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in artificial intelligence governance, facing the challenge of creating a regulatory framework that protects citizens while enabling innovation and economic growth. Drawing from the AI Summit 2026 convened by legal and government stakeholders, this report examines how Africa's largest economy can position itself to capture value from AI without stifling the entrepreneurship and adoption needed for national development.

2025 was a year of recovery for Nigeria's economy following the ambitious reforms of the Nigerian government, and the capital market played a key role in driving that progress.

Cloud computing has revolutionized data accessibility and business operations, yet the physical location of data remains subject to jurisdictional laws and regulatory oversight. As Nigeria emerges as one of Africa's largest digital markets, recent regulatory developments including the Central Bank's payment data localization requirements signal a strategic shift toward strengthening domestic control over critical digital infrastructure.

The August Policy Trend Trail examines policy developments aimed at improving Nigeria’s economic potential through consumer protection, digital infrastructure, and the operationalisation of existing policy frameworks. The policies considered span across various sectors such as real estate, corporate commercial, taxation, public, postal, and digital economy sectors. Notwithstanding the diversity of sectors, the policy analysis reveals a shared common thread: the need to address structural gaps that have long constrained Nigeria’s economic growth and reduced consumer confidence. This Policy Trail examines not only the substance of each reform, but also the practical implementation questions that will ultimately determine their impact.

Across the world, Contactless Payments ("CPs") have gained significant traction and widespread adoption in recent years. These payments enable financial transactions which allow a customer to...

Months after its enactment in 2025, the Nigeria tax reform laws continue to generate significant public interest with many taxpayers still uncertain about how the changes affect them in practical terms.

In January 2026, the European Union Commission (EU Commission) updated its list of high-risk third country jurisdictions, effectively removing Nigeria from its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) High-Risk Third Countries List. This follows the delisting of Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025.

In the context of this article, unclaimed funds include unclaimed dividends from shares in public companies and dormant bank account balances.

Most customs and traditions in Nigeria do not recognise the rights of married women to own personal properties or lay claims to the properties of their spouses upon their demise or in the event of divorce or separation.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), pursuant to its powers under the Investments and Securities Act, 2025, has issued Circular No. 26-1 dated 16 January 2026, revising the Minimum Capital Requirements applicable to all regulated capital market entities in Nigeria.

Tax is not just a compulsory contribution to state revenue levied on people and businesses by the government but a policy instrument for prosperity and national development.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission ("NDPC" or the "Commission"), exercising its statutory powers under Sections 1(a), 6(c), 61, and 62 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act...

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in artificial intelligence governance, facing the challenge of creating a regulatory framework that protects citizens while enabling innovation and economic growth. Drawing from the AI Summit 2026 convened by legal and government stakeholders, this report examines how Africa's largest economy can position itself to capture value from AI without stifling the entrepreneurship and adoption needed for national development.

Nigeria's Money Laundering Act of 2022 has transformed real estate compliance by classifying developers and investors as Designated Non-Financial Businesses, requiring mandatory registration with SCUML and imposing strict anti-money laundering obligations. With enforcement agencies like the EFCC intensifying prosecutions and securing property forfeitures in high-profile cases, the real estate sector faces unprecedented regulatory scrutiny.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has issued a landmark ruling in Ugbah v. Ugbah that fundamentally reshapes family law jurisprudence by establishing that wives and children can pursue maintenance claims as standalone actions without filing for divorce. This decision removes procedural barriers that previously limited access to financial support and affirms that children's welfare rights are enforceable regardless of their parents' marital status or relationship.