Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie is a full-service commercial law firm founded in 1983 by Udoma Udo Udoma. The firm has 16 partners and offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a strong practice in banking debt and equity capital markets and M&A in all of which the firm is in the top tier for Nigeria. The firm has a specialism working with clients connected to financial services.
Key clients
The firm has developed strong relationships within the banking practice with
Aava Brands Limited, Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V., ABSA Bank Limited, Standard Bank of South Africa, Rand Merchant Bank
In capital markets the firm is connected with
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Presco PLC, Seplat Energy PL and FBNQuest Asset Management Limited, CardinalStone Asset Management Limited, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, United Capital Asset Management Limited, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited.
In M&A the firm has ties with
Seplat Energy, Holcim Group Services, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria, Micro Nova Pharmaceuticals, Chapel Hill Advisory Partners.
In project development the firm has relationships with Sahara Energy, Seplat Energy, CMA CGM Terminals Group, Daystar Power Group, Chapel Hill Denham/Nigerian Infrastructure Debt Fund, and Agility Logistics.
Research period review: 34th edition (2024/2025)
During the research period, the firm was active in banking, debt and equity capital markets, M&A and project development.
In banking the firm worked on loans and financings including project financings mostly lenders in the banking, financial services and energy sectors.
In debt capital markets the firm worked on note, bond and sukuk issuances mainly for clients in the banking and financial services sectors.
In equity capital markets the firm worked on IPO and secondary share offering for underwriters and issuers in the financial services and consumer goods and services sectors.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions and mergers for clients linked to the investment management, technology and manufacturing sectors.
In project development the firm worked on energy and infrastructure projects for clients connected with the power, oil and gas, financial services and construction sectors.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
$700,000,000.00 and US$1,500,000,000.00 Notes Issuance by the Federal Republic of Nigeria under its Global Medium Term Note Programme
Seplat Energy PLC US$650 million senior notes
United Capital Asset Management Limited NGN 1 billion Children Investment Fund
Seplat acquisition of Mobil Development Nigeria and Mobil Exploration Nigeria
Client Feedback: 34th edition (2024/2025)
Banking
"Their responsiveness, attention to detail, especially where it matters, knowledge of the industry, and their understanding of commercial and practical nuances involved in matters they advise us on. They are also efficient at handholding and guiding us around the legal technicalities involved in matters they advise us on."
Capital markets: Debt
"UUBO’s team demonstrates a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to client success. Their cross-disciplinary strength especially in corporate/commercial, finance and capital markets makes them a reliable partner for transactions requiring both breadth and depth of expertise."
"They have strong capital Market expertise and knowledge of the client’s business"
"What stands out for me at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie is their professionalism and deal management. The Banking and FInance/Capital Markets team are Partner-led, well-coordinated teams that run clear issues lists, timelines, and closing checklists. The firm continues to deliver time-efficient and quality advisory even in spite of tight timelines. Advisory is typically crisp, well-reasoned and commercially pragmatic.
The firm also has a strong and commendable grasp of Nigerian law and regulators’ expectations. Furthermore, drafting appears to be second nature to the firm as first drafts are tight and transaction-ready, minimizing iterations; mark-ups are precise and easy to implement. This shows the firm listens and understands the Bank as a client."
Capital markets: equity
"UUBO’s team demonstrates a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to client success. Their cross-disciplinary strength especially in corporate/commercial, finance and capital markets makes them a reliable partner for transactions requiring both breadth and depth of expertise."
Projects
"UUBO’s team demonstrates a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to client success. Their cross-disciplinary strength especially in corporate/commercial, finance and capital markets makes them a reliable partner for transactions requiring both breadth and depth of expertise."
Ms. Abolanle Ayoola
"She understands the requirement of the Client and pro-actively suggesting the solutions at the earliest."
Lisa Esamah
"She ensures that transactions are handled seamlessly and with attention to detail."
Yinka Edu
"She is very knowledgeable about clients, their business and expectations. She is very personable and maintains strong relationships with clients, which helps to novitiate difficult transactions."
Onyinye Okafor
"Onyinye Okafor is highly reachable, turning around clear responses on short notice and proactively keeping workstreams on track. Her advice is crisp and commercially grounded. She sets out options with risk/impact and delivers implementation-ready drafting. She continues to support the Bank beyond transactions and resolving post-closing issues."
Nicholas Okafor
"He is very knowledgeable and creative due to his years of experience in legal practice."
"Nicholas is a fantastic lawyer. He rallies the team together, always making sure that client needs are met."
