Olaniwun Ajayi is a full-service commercial law firm from Nigeria. The firm was founded in 1962 and has since developed relationships with over 50 firms within its network, and grown to more than 100 lawyers, including 14 partners. The firm’s offices are in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt and more recently Olaniwun Ajayi has an office in London.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a strong practice across all recognised practice areas achieving tier 1 status for banking, debt and equity capital markets, M&A, energy and infrastructure project development and project finance. The firm is also active in restructuring and insolvency.
Key clients
The firm has developed strong relationships within the banking practice namely with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, International Finance Corporation, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, African Finance Corporation, Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Company, First Bank of Nigeria, Union Bank of Nigeria, First City Monument Bank and Ecobank Nigeria.
In capital markets the firm has connections with Ava Capital, Dangote Cement, Dangote Industries, Bank of Industry, Citi Group Global Markets, Goldman Sachs, Airtel Africa, FBN Quest Merchant Bank, and the Lagos State Government.
In M&A Olaniwun Ajayi has ties to First Pension Custodian Nigeria, Suntory Beverage & Foods Asia, Moody’s Group Cyprus, BUA Cement, Canal + International SAS, Actis, Colina Holdings, and Lakepoint Towers Property Development Company.
In project development the firm has developed bonds with Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria LNG, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, First Investment Development Company, Zenon Petroleum & Gas, Thames Investment Company, Wells Properties & Investment Company, NEoTOffgrid Africa, Evercare Group, and Tolaram Group.
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 loans and financings including trade and acquisition finance for mainly lenders in the energy, financial services, and industrials and manufacturing sectors.
In debt capital markets the firm worked on bond and sukuk issuances for clients connected to the banking, financial services, energy, government, and manufacturing sectors.
In M&A the firm worked on mergers, financial investments, divestments, and acquisitions for clients mainly in the banking, investment management and financial services sectors.
In project development the firm worked on energy and infrastructure projects for developers and sponsors in the oil & gas, mining, aviation, transport and government sectors.
In project finance the firm worked on financings for clients in the energy, financial services, and industrials and manufacturing sectors.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
African Foundries $25 million trade facility
BPL Nigeria N2 billion financing
Bank of Industry €700 million Eurobond issue
Darway Coast Nigeria N1.021 billion financing
First Pension Custodian Nigeria N2 billion acquisition of Access Pension Fund Custodian
Moody’s Group Cyprus N24.7 billion acquisition of Global Credit
Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Banking
“Efficient and experienced professionals.”
“A very pragmatic law firm. They research well the issues we bring onboard before giving any response to such issues.”
Financial services regulatory
“They demonstrate compassion and creativity in delivery of the task.”
M&A
“The transaction was done at arm's length, ensuring that the company is well protected. They are very fast in the process. The first disbursement of the transaction was concluded in less than a year.”
“Olaniwun Ajayi provided valuable input and assistance on multiple commercial contracts and showed great knowledge of the legal aspects of the oil and gas industry.”
Project development
“Olaniwun Ajayi demonstrated excellent draftsmanship and resourcefulness. They responded extremely well under pressure and allowed us to meet very steep timelines. The team was very resourceful and agile on the job. We were very happy to have used their services as we got excellent results.”
“They are patient, understand the business and see the big picture.”
“Olaniwun Ajayi provide well-considered, relevant legal advice on all matters referred to them. Their turnaround time is impressive without losing any of the rigour required of a law firm of their calibre. They consider and exhaust relevant and plausible options, and advise on the most suitable.”
“The firm and its members (partners and associates) are committed to provide quality legal service to its clients. It is a highly dedicated and professional full-service law firm. The lawyers are well versed in the understanding of the law with a pro-business mindset, which helps foreign investors participate in the Nigerian market. Wolemi Esan is a top lawyer who understands foreign investors in Nigeria.”
“Speedy turnaround time and response. They have understanding of the industry and issues, and resolutions of those issues.”
Project finance
“Olaniwun Ajayi have excellent legal advisory skills; they are most exceptional in providing expert advice in the negotiation of terms and conditions with business consideration. They are well versed in the oil & gas terrain and therefore provide excellent advice towards acquisitions, restructuring and business formation. They are persistent and determined in their negotiation approach.”
“Excellent work and advice.”
“Olaniwun Ajayi LP are a consummate law firm, highly professional, effective and very efficient.”
Olamide Aiyeola
“She offers responsiveness and accessibility, industry knowledge, and client management.”
“Experienced and hard-working.”
“Olamide has an outstanding mastery of the law and the transaction on which she was instructed. In spite of the complexity of the transaction, she was able to traverse and communicate even the most intricate details of each and every provision of the more than seven different agreements entered into, and about eight other side agreements.”
Halimat Busari
“Thorough and professional.”
“Good legal advisory and timely review of contracts.”
Wolemi Esan
“He is a fantastic lawyer, committed to provide quality work and guidance to his clients.”
Abisola Odeinde
“Abisola has a commanding knowledge of her area of expertise. She led the team from Olaniwun Ajayi on this transaction and has always provided excellent leadership to ensure the team meets the level of excellence required on the transaction. Her knowledge of the law and her people skills ensured that she was able to manage considerable scrutiny of different legal positions.”
Gabriel Onagoruwa
“He is very thorough in all reviews of the transaction documents and excellent in following up to ensure timelines are met.”
Chukwuemeka Osuji
“Excellent, diligent and always professional.”
“Chukwuemeka was very responsive and demonstrated a keen aptitude for the work. He responded on time and worked hard to meet deadlines.”
“He is passionate and knowledgeable.”
Tominiyi Owolabi
“Experienced and knowledgeable.”
“Tominiyi is very sound in the knowledge of the law with deep insights on how to solve problems. He cares about the best outcome for his clients and demonstrates excellent client management skills.”
“He is thorough and detailed, dedicated and determined.”
“Dr Owolabi brought valuable positive attributes that enhanced the transaction and assisted the company in bringing the project to reality.”
“Dr Owolabi is a very good listener, humble and has the ability to carry his clients along in the transaction, breaking down the intricate details. Ours was a very complex, lengthy and delicate transaction, and we would never have closed without his maturity, flexibility and leadership.”
“A problem-solver, very knowledgeable, calm and a good researcher.”
Damilola Salawu
“A very good listener. Damilola dissects issues to the core, researches widely and provides good solutions and feedback thereafter.”
“Very good customer service and communication. Effective legal reviews and suggestions. Timely feedback on work and engagement.”
“He offers industry knowledge, commercial savvy and responsiveness.”
Ganiyat Seriki
“Ganiyat is a dedicated and responsive lawyer who has a firm grasp of what we require for our legal needs on the project. She is available at all times and connects different resources within and outside her firm to ensure innovative solutions to different project challenges – PPI is a one-of-a-kind government intervention which has presented bespoke challenges, requiring a lot of out-of-the-box thinking. She and the team at Olaniwun Ajayi have always been up to this challenge, working closely with our foreign legal counsel to always find solution. One of the issues that has presented the biggest challenge is the on-lending of the project cost to distribution companies, which has been the source of several internal debates. Ganiyat and the team at Olaniwun Ajayi have painstakingly gone over all the options with the relevant stakeholders on the project to provide clarity and propose the most appropriate solutions.”
