Banwo & Ighodalo is a corporate and finance law firm in Nigeria. It was established in 1991 and has grown to comprise over 90 lawyers.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a strong practice across all ranked practice areas achieving tier 1 in banking, debt and equity capital markets, M&A, energy and infrastructure project developments and project finance. The firm has a particular specialism in working with clients connected to financial services on a range of deals.
Key clients
In banking the firm has developed relationships with Access Holdings, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Oando, ACTIS Capital, Dangote Group, Sterling Bank, The Standard Bank of South Africa, Newcross Exploration and Production, Tempo Paper Pulp and Packaging, and United States Development Finance Corporation.
In capital markets the firm has developed relationships with Bank of Industry, MTN Nigeria Communications, Federal Government of Nigeria, Fidelity Bank, Dangote Cement, Stanbic IBTC Capital, First City Monument Bank, North South Power Company, UACN Property Development Company, Lagos State Government of Nigeria.
In M&A the firm has developed relationships with MainOne, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria, Titan Trust Bank, E-Motion Advertising, TP ICAP group of companies, INTL FCStone, FCMB Group, FBN Holdings, FBNQuest Capital, Synergy Capital Managers; AFIG Funds, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, Indorama Netherlands, and Seven Energy Group.
In project development the firm has developed relationships with AA&R Investment, Axxela, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria, Bank of China, Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Mulak Energy, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Chevron Nigeria, North South Power Company Nigeria, Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas Company.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period, the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, M&A, project development, and project finance.
In banking the firm worked on financings for borrowers, lenders and security agents in the banking, transport, oil and gas and telecommunications sectors.
In debt capital markets the firm worked on bond and note issues for clients linked to the banking, financial services, government and public policy, food and manufacturing sectors.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions, divestments, financial investments, and mergers mostly for clients in the energy, financial services, agriculture, food, and manufacturing sectors.
In project development the firm worked on projects for mainly sponsors and developers in the oil and gas, renewables, transport, and real estate sectors.
In project finance the firm worked on financings for clients mostly in the banking, financial services, real estate, and oil & gas sectors.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Access Bank $300 million financing
Access Holdings N36.5 billion acquisition of First Guarantee Pension
Moove Nigeria $10 million financing
Payhippo N350 million acquisition of Maritime Microfinance Bank
Stanbic IBTC Ventures $10.87 million bond issue
Valency Agro Nigeria $1.08 billion bond issue
Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Banking
“B&I are always quick to respond, provide top-level advice using their knowledge not only of the market but also the history of the group. They also always add value by making sure that they highlight areas of risk or opportunity even if they are not always within the scope of the requested work.”
“They were very commercial in their approach to issues, in a way that gave us comfort to progress with the financing. They were also responsive.”
“Knowledge of the regulations and client management.”
Capital markets : Debt
“Great structuring expertise. Stick to timelines. Deep industry knowledge.”
Investment funds
“The B&I team is very professional and pays attention to details. They are willing to assist even beyond their immediate scope of work.”
M&A
“They are very professional and experienced in M&A transactions. They guided us through the process of acquisition, prepared necessary agreements and supervised the close out board meeting resulting in the handing over of the asset to us.”
Project development
“Knowledge, positivity and teamwork.”
“Their availability and communication levels were good. They are highly experienced in projects involving the Nigerian government and were able to provide good advice by drawing on that experience.”
Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya
“Ayodele is commercially savvy and can be relied on to provide practical solutions.”
“Ayodele is a very professional, respectful and experienced lawyer.”
Isa Alade
“He was available and communicated well while still being personable.”
“In-depth knowledge and keen analytical prowess.”
“Isa is very skilled and an experienced M&A lawyer. He is very professional and solution oriented.”
Seyi Bella
“Commercially sound and responsive. Brilliant. A thought leader.”
Arthur Etim
“Arthur is responsive and great at providing practical commercially feasible solutions.”
Ayodele Faboya
“She was responsive. Aware of the time crunch we were working with, she made sure to flag issues as they arose.”
Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
“Best capital markets lawyer in Nigeria.”
Mayowa Olagbaiye
“Process and communication.”
“A young but smart lawyer. A rising star.”
Olamide Oshikoya
“Professional, personal touch, reliable, quick to provide solutions and very deep legal knowledge.”
“Knowledge and rare skills of grasping details and providing counsel that could not be countered.”
