Top 10 Banking, Finance & Capital Market Law Firms in Nigeria

Banking, finance and the capital market are pivotal to the survival of the economy of any state. Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, is no difference. Below are some of the top law firms practicing banking, finance, and related activities in Nigeria.

10. TOLG

At TOLG, we provide solutions to general disputes on banking and finance matters. We proffer advice on syndicated and single bank loans, standby and revolving loan facilities, guarantees and bonds, mortgages, asset finance, consumer credit, trade export financing, establishment of banks and other investment and finance outfits. We also advise on debt rescheduling for corporations, individuals and governmental agencies.

We provide comprehensive legal advisory services to many clients both locally and internationally – commercial and merchant banks, international finance institutions, leasing companies, insurance companies, mortgage institutions etc. Our practice is particularly noted for its proficiency and acts as legal advisers on transactions bordering on banking, trade finance, corporate finance and structured finance.

9. The Trusted Advisors

Our banking & finance team offers comprehensive service to lenders, borrowers, advisers, and other intermediaries. The clients include leading banks, financial institutions, and business houses.

Deal management and the ability to handle challenging structuring issues and complex negotiations are the main strengths of the firm. The scope of work covers the entire spectrum including structuring transactions, drafting term sheets and transactional documents, negotiations, advising on the regulatory framework and related issues.

See also: Top Energy Law Firms in Nigeria

8. Jackson, Etti & Edu

JEE acts for and represents several leading international, regional and local financial institutions and corporations on a wide range of financial transactions. Our specialist team of consultants provides trade finance and financial advisory transaction services on such areas as syndicated and bilateral lending, leveraged finance, acquisition finance, asset finance, and real estate finance.

Given the importance of trade to any economy, lawyers in Banking & Finance Team have a keen understanding of the ever changing dynamics of the market environment and provide expert opinion on structured trade finance, pre and post-shipping financing, facilities letter, letters of credit and other forms of documentary credit, security over receivables, trading contracts, letters of pledge, bills of lading, leasing, warehouse receipts etc., to our clients in this increasingly complex practice area.

7. Aelex

ǼLEX is one of the leading firms in Nigeria’s banking and financial transaction work. The quality of our people, the breadth of our client base and our geographical spread have ensured our involvement in major financing transaction in Nigeria. Clients recognise our expertise in transaction management and trust in our ability to provide that crucial legal and regulatory support needed to consummate their transactions.

We represent lenders and borrowers including leading international financial/lending institutions, brokerage and investment companies and other financial institutions. Recent landmark transactions include representation of the security trustee on a US$ 500 million letter of credit and syndicated facility to finance the purchase, storage and sale of refined petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas in Nigeria by a Geneva based oil trading company.

6. Templars

Our Finance Practice provides a comprehensive range of legal services to lenders and borrowers, financial institutions, advisers and service regulators, as well as individual and corporate clients across various sectors and industries.

At Templars, our Practice consists of a carefully selected group of individuals with excellent academic qualifications and international exposure. This includes specialist experience in the diverse elements of finance and financial services law including corporate finance, project finance, real estate finance, structured finance, infrastructure finance, asset finance, capital markets, and private equity.

See also: Top law firms in Nigeria

5. Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie’s Banking and Finance practice is a key area of specialisation for which it has consistently earned some of its highest commendations from independent ranking publications, including Chambers Global, IFLR 1000, Legal 500 and Who’s Who legal. The team is particularly noted for its strength in acquisition finance, secured and unsecured facilities, syndicated loans, and project finance.

We offer expert advice on incorporation, establishment, setting up representative offices, regulatory capital, foreign exchange and other general regulatory compliance issues, including Central Bank of Nigeria regulations and the operations of financial institutions in the sector.

4. Olaniwun Ajayi LP

Our team cuts through the complexity of multi-party transactions to deliver commercially driven, client-focused and business-sensitive solutions to complex problems in this space.

The firm has also advised the International Finance Corporation as well as a number of Development Finance Institutions as lenders in the USD225 million telecommunications financing for Helios Towers Nigeria and acted for Dangote Cement Plc in a NGN60 Billion Financing of the Ibese Cement Plant expansion project. 

Our team pioneered the application of limited recourse finance techniques in Nigeria and advised the lenders on the financing of landmark greenfield projects including the USD1.6 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port Project and the USD1.2 billion project initiated by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited.

3. G. Elias

At G. Elias have an outstanding record of capital markets work. Among other exploits, we have advised on Nigeria’s largest “IPO”, its largest debt offering, its first US Dollar Eurobond, its first offering to be listed simultaneously on stock exchanges in three countries, and its first Islamic finance unit trust.

We have been advising on:

• initial public offerings
• corporate bonds
• government bonds
• eurobonds
• convertibles offerings
• equity offers for sale etc.

See also: Top Intellectual Property Law Firms in Nigeria

2. Banwo & Ighodalo

Banwo & Ighodalo is without doubt the leading law firm in the Nigerian capital market. We advise Issuers of securities seeking to raise funds from the capital market as well as Issuing Houses, Trustees and other Capital Market Operators.

We have been engaged in Global Depositary Receipts (GDR) Offers, Initial and general Public Offers, Offers for Sale or Subscription, Rights Issues, Government Bonds, Debt/Loan Stock Issues and Private Placement transactions. Our experience spans a broad range of products as well as domestic and international offerings. Clients can benefit from our extensive experience in:

• Equity offerings
• Debt offerings
• Sovereign and sub-sovereign issues etc.

1. Aluko & Oyebode

Clients choose us, at Aluko & Oyebode, for our ability to navigate the complexities of the evolving markets and for our efficient advice on many types of transactions. We think ahead and analyse the industries in which clients operate and investigate issues before they become complications. We embrace our client’s cutting-edge goals and visions.

We advise financial institutions, top multi-national companies and investors on cutting-edge finance transactions across various industries and guide Nigerian financial institutions on their day-to-day business operations.

Our stellar roster of high-profile clients in the financial and legal advisory services include Nigerian and international lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, leasing companies, investment firms, financial technology companies, stockbroking and custodial firms, pension funds and fund administrators, and other types of financial institutions.