I am a projects, asset and export finance lawyer with more than 10 years of experience advising financial institutions, project sponsors, developers, investors and other stakeholders on complex domestic and cross-border transactions across Nigeria and Africa.

My practice sits at the intersection of project finance, asset finance, export development finance, energy, infrastructure and project development. Over the course of my career, I have developed extensive experience advising on the financing and development of major projects, while also working closely with lenders, sponsors, developers, government entities and other participants to structure transactions that are commercially viable, legally sound and capable of reaching financial close.

I currently work as a legal officer in a leading multilateral development financial institution in Africa, where I focus on projects, assets and export development financing. My work involves participating in the structuring, documentation and negotiation of significant transactions across sectors including energy, natural resources, manufacturing, industrial development, infrastructure and clean energy.

Before my current role, I was a Senior Associate and Team Lead at a leading top-tier Nigerian law firm, where I led the Project Finance and Energy practice groups and managed a team of more than 27 lawyers across project finance, energy and tax. That experience gave me the opportunity to work on some of the most significant financing, energy and infrastructure transactions in Nigeria.

My Transaction Experience

Throughout my career, I have advised on transactions involving more than US$30 billion in cumulative closed financing, covering project finance, asset finance and export development finance.

My experience includes advising on the restructuring of a US$1 billion project finance facility for a major Nigerian industrial group; aggregate US$15 billion NNPC prepayment facilities, a US$2billion financing for the Dangote Group, a US$2.4billion financing for the Renaissance Group in connection with its acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited and a proposed US$201.7 million financing for the development of free zone city in South East Nigeria.

I have also advised on more than US$13billion cumulative capital market transactions, including Samurai bonds, Euro bonds, and infrastructure bonds issued by subnational governments in Nigeria. I have also advised on more than US$1billion of derivative transactions for multinationals, including repos and swaps under ISDA master agreement and GMRA.

My experience is not limited to financing documentation. I have also advised on the development and implementation of major projects from a project sponsor standpoint. This includes NSIA’s 10MW solar power generation project in Kano, Nigeria, a proposed 900MW combined-cycle power plant, a gas-processing facility in Rivers State, the establishment of a petroleum terminal in Rivers State, and several other pipeline and terminal infrastructure, oil and gas developments and power purchase arrangements.

Finance Meets Project Development

One of the defining features of my practice is the combination of finance-law expertise and project-development experience. I have worked on the legal and commercial arrangements that sit behind major projects, including EPC contracts, FIDIC-based documentation, O&M agreements, power purchase agreements, gas supply agreements, shareholders’ agreements, joint development agreements, concession agreements and offtake arrangements.

This experience allows me to approach a transaction from more than one perspective. I consider not only whether a financing structure is legally sound, but also whether the underlying project is bankable, commercially sustainable and capable of supporting the financing structure proposed for it.

I pay particular attention to the allocation of project risks, the robustness of revenue arrangements, regulatory requirements, security and enforcement structures, contractual interfaces and the practical issues that can determine whether a project moves successfully from development to construction, operation and repayment.

Recognition

I have been recognised by leading legal publications and professional organisations for my work in projects, energy and finance.

My recognitions include recognition by Chambers Global as an Associate to Watch in Projects & Energy, Leading Associate recognition by Legal 500, and recognition under the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards’ 40 Under 40 category. I have also contributed to professional publications on project finance, including the Nigerian chapter of the Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide on Project Finance.

My Approach

I believe that effective legal advice on complex transactions requires more than an understanding of the law. It requires an understanding of the business, the project, the financing structure, the stakeholders, the risks and the commercial objectives. For project and finance transactions, I believe that lawyers should understand how the underlying projects work, and not simply the documents that finance it.

Working in the legal department of a leading DFI and participating in structuring complex transactions from the ground up; participating in site visits; conducting extensive due diligence (both desktop and onsite); and managing complex legal conversations with lenders and borrowers, at a principals’ level, have further enriched my approach and professional grounding.

My approach is therefore highly practical and outcome-focused. I seek to understand what the client is trying to achieve, identify the legal and structural issues that may prevent that objective from being achieved, and work with the relevant stakeholders to develop solutions that are both legally sound and commercially workable.

This perspective has shaped my work with financial institutions, project sponsors, developers, governments and businesses on transactions involving significant capital, complex regulatory frameworks and multiple stakeholder interests.

Academic & Professional Background

I graduated with First Class Honours in Law from the University of Ibadan and subsequently finished with First Class Honours at the Nigerian Law School.

I am a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Lawyers in Energy Network.

What I Do

My principal areas of practice and professional focus include:

Project Finance
Asset Finance
Export Development Finance
Energy & Power
Oil & Gas
Infrastructure Finance
Project Development
Structured Finance
Regulatory & Transaction Advisory
Bankability & Risk Allocation

I am particularly interested in transactions that contribute to the development of clean energy, infrastructure, industrial capacity and productive assets across Africa.

My objective is to bring together legal expertise, financing knowledge and an understanding of project development to help clients navigate complex transactions and turn ambitious projects into bankable and executable investments.