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Key contacts
Managing Partner: Mr. Ken Etim
Quick facts
Number of lawyers

80+

Network memberships include

Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Loan Market Association, African Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, UK, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria and UK, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators

Languages

English, French, several Nigerian languages

Key practice areas
Banking and finance
Banking
Project finance
Capital markets
Capital markets : Debt
Capital markets : Equity
Financial and corporate
Corporate and M&A
Private equity
Restructuring and insolvency
M&A
Energy and infrastructure
Project development : Power
Project development : Infrastructure
Restructuring and insolvency
Project development : Energy
Projects
Firm overview

Banwo & Ighodalo was founded on 1st February, 1991.The firm is a leading full-service law firm in Nigeria and it is structured as a partnership, currently comprising fifteen (17) Partners, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The firm is a leading full- service law firm in Nigeria.

Banwo & Ighodalo has evolved and we continue to equip ourselves to serve our clients better and provide exceptional results.

We are known in our markets for excellent mastery of legal issues and the development of creative solutions. Our lawyers are young, dynamic and driven; and we deliberately recruit and train for innovation, knowledge and the ability to create solutions for our clients.

The Firm is consistently listed as a 1st- tier law firm and a firm of choice in Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisition, Corporate Finance, Fintech, Energy & Natural Resources, Litigation, Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property and Information Technology. Our Shipping, Aviation and International Trade practice is also highly recommended.

Both the firm on one hand, and its partners and some associates on the other hand, are ranked in several leading Nigerian and international legal directories.

Client feedback
  • “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.”

  • “Great structuring expertise. Stick to timelines. Deep industry knowledge.

  • “Knowledge of the regulations and client management.”
Key practice contacts

Litigation, Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) – abimbolaakeredolu@banwo-ighodalo.com
Chinedum Umeche – cumeche@banwo-ighodalo.com
Adeola Agunbiade-Adeyemi - aagunbiade@banwo-ighodalo.com

Energy & Natural Resources
Ken Etim – ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com
Stella Duru – sduru@banwo-ighodalo.com
Kehinde Ojuawo – kojuawo@banwo-ighodalo.com
Akindeji Oyebode – aoyebode@banwo-ighodalo.com

Intellectual Property & Technology
Femi Olubanwo – folubanwo@banwo-ighodalo.com
Olumide Osundolire – oosundolire@banwo-ighodalo.com

Corporate, Securities & Finance
Asue Ighodalo – aighodalo@banwo-ighodalo.com
Ayotunde Owoigbe – aowoigbe@banwo-ighodalo.com
Azeezah Muse-Sadiq – asadiq@banwo-ighodalo.com
Seyi Bella – sbella@banwo-ighodalo.com
Isa Alade – ialade@banwo-ighodalo.com
Toyin Bashir – tbashir@banwo-ighodalo.com
Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya – afaboya@banwo-ighodalo.com

Shipping, Aviation & International Trade
Ken Etim – ketim@banwo-ighodalo.com
Kehinde Ojuawo – kojuawo@banwo-ighodalo.com
Tunji Adeyemi – tadeyemi@banwo- ighodalo.com

Recent transactional highlights
  • We acted as Nigerian counsel to FirstRand Limited (acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division) which provided a medium-term facility of US$56,500,000 to Gruppo Investment Nigeria Limited, in order to refinance the costs of developing the Ikeja City Mall.
  • We acted as Lenders’ Nigerian counsel in connection with the Senior term loan facility advanced by a syndicate of lenders to Heirs Holdings Oil & Gas and TNOG Pipelines Limited for the purposes of financing the acquisition of a forty-five percent (45%) participating interest in Nigerian oil license OML 17 (and other oil and gas infrastructure).
  • We advised MTN Nigeria Communications PLC’s on its ₦200 Billion Bond Issuance Programme and the Issuance of the ₦110,000,000,000.00 Series 1 Bonds. The Transaction is the first bond issuance by a Nigerian telecommunications company and one of the largest bond issues by a corporate entity in the Nigerian market
  • We acted as Solicitors to the Issue/Issuer in relation to the issuance of Series 2 Green Bonds in the sum of N6,325,000,000 by North South Power Company Limited through an SPV, NSP-SPV PowerCorp PLC. In this regard, we conducted due diligence on the Issuer and the Sponsor, drafted the deed of covenant, Note Subscription Agreement, the custody agreement, the vending agreement and also reviewed the Pricing Supplement and Trust Deed to ensure compliance with industry standard and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • We are acting as Project Counsel to Bank of China, Hebei Branch, Oilserve-Oando-CFCHEC Consortium and Brentex-CPP Consortium in connection with the financing and construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Pipeline Project, which is the largest pipeline network in Nigeria.
  • We advised Dangote Cement PLC on its N300Billion Multi-Instrument Debt Issuance Programme and the issuance of Series 1 Bonds thereunder.
Other offices

Abuja 
14 Negro Crescent
Maitama, Abuja,
Federal Capital Territory
E: banwigho@banwo-ighodalo.com
W: www.banwo-ighodalo.com

Port Harcourt
3 Woke-Koro Street
Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers
E: banwigho@banwo-ighodalo.com
W: www.banwo-ighodalo.com

Address:
48, Awolowo Road
South-West Ikoyi
Lagos
Tel:+234 2013302934 Email:Contact Us Web Address:http://www.banwo-ighodalo.com
Rankings published in 2026
Banking
Tier 1
27 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
17 practice areas
View full profile
Banwo & Ighodalo
17 practice areas
View full profile
G Elias & Co
17 practice areas
View full profile
Olaniwun Ajayi
15 practice areas
View full profile
Templars
16 practice areas
View full profile
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
17 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Dentons ACAS-Law
16 practice areas
View profile
Jackson Etti & Edu
17 practice areas
View full profile
Odujinrin & Adefulu
17 practice areas
View profile
ǼLEX
16 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Abdulai Taiwo & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
Bloomfield LP
12 practice areas
View full profile
Detail Commercial Solicitors
17 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

Alliance Law Firm
15 practice areas
View full profile
Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Olajide Oyewole
14 practice areas
View profile
Solola & Akpana
11 practice areas
View profile

Tier 5

Advocaat Law Practice
14 practice areas
View full profile
DealHQ Partners
8 practice areas
View profile
Pavestones
6 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

ALP NG & Co
5 practice areas
View full profile
Giwa-Osagie & Co
15 practice areas
View full profile
Greychapel Legal
13 practice areas
View full profile
Ikeyi Shittu & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
Streamsowers & Köhn
14 practice areas
View full profile
Stren & Blan Partners
1 practice area
View full profile
TNP
9 practice areas
View profile
Capital markets : Debt
Tier 1
25 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
17 practice areas
View full profile
Banwo & Ighodalo
17 practice areas
View full profile
G Elias & Co
17 practice areas
View full profile
Olaniwun Ajayi
15 practice areas
View full profile
Templars
16 practice areas
View full profile
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
17 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Jackson Etti & Edu
17 practice areas
View full profile
TNP
9 practice areas
View profile
ǼLEX
16 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Abdulai Taiwo & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
Alliance Law Firm
15 practice areas
View full profile
Bloomfield LP
12 practice areas
View full profile
Detail Commercial Solicitors
17 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

DealHQ Partners
8 practice areas
View profile
Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Odujinrin & Adefulu
17 practice areas
View profile
SPA Ajibade & Co
8 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 5

ALP NG & Co
5 practice areas
View full profile
Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors
14 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 6

Dentons ACAS-Law
16 practice areas
View profile
Greychapel Legal
13 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

OAKE Legal
9 practice areas
View profile
Olajide Oyewole
14 practice areas
View profile
The Metropolitan Law Firm
4 practice areas
View profile
Wigwe & Partners
2 practice areas
View full profile
Capital markets : Equity
Tier 1
21 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
17 practice areas
View full profile
Banwo & Ighodalo
17 practice areas
View full profile
G Elias & Co
17 practice areas
View full profile
Olaniwun Ajayi
15 practice areas
View full profile
Templars
16 practice areas
View full profile
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
17 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Detail Commercial Solicitors
17 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Abdulai Taiwo & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
Jackson Etti & Edu
17 practice areas
View full profile
Odujinrin & Adefulu
17 practice areas
View profile
ǼLEX
16 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 4

Alliance Law Firm
15 practice areas
View full profile
Dentons ACAS-Law
16 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Advocaat Law Practice
14 practice areas
View full profile
Bloomfield LP
12 practice areas
View full profile
Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Greychapel Legal
13 practice areas
View full profile
OAKE Legal
9 practice areas
View profile
Olajide Oyewole
14 practice areas
View profile
Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors
14 practice areas
View full profile
Wigwe & Partners
2 practice areas
View full profile
M&A
Tier 1
29 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
17 practice areas
View full profile
Banwo & Ighodalo
17 practice areas
View full profile
G Elias & Co
17 practice areas
View full profile
Olaniwun Ajayi
15 practice areas
View full profile
Templars
16 practice areas
View full profile
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
17 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Dentons ACAS-Law
16 practice areas
View profile
Jackson Etti & Edu
17 practice areas
View full profile
ǼLEX
16 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Bloomfield LP
12 practice areas
View full profile
DealHQ Partners
8 practice areas
View profile
Detail Commercial Solicitors
17 practice areas
View profile
Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Olajide Oyewole
14 practice areas
View profile
Solola & Akpana
11 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

Abdulai Taiwo & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
ENR Advisory
9 practice areas
View profile
Greychapel Legal
13 practice areas
View full profile
Odujinrin & Adefulu
17 practice areas
View profile
Streamsowers & Köhn
14 practice areas
View full profile
TNP
9 practice areas
View profile

Tier 5

Advocaat Law Practice
14 practice areas
View full profile
Alliance Law Firm
15 practice areas
View full profile
Anaje Olumide Oke Akinkugbe (AO2 Law)
6 practice areas
View profile
Ikeyi Shittu & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
OAKE Legal
9 practice areas
View profile
SPA Ajibade & Co
8 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Pavestones
6 practice areas
View full profile
Perchstone and Graeys
11 practice areas
View profile
Private equity
Tier 1
10 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
17 practice areas
View full profile
Banwo & Ighodalo
17 practice areas
View full profile
G Elias & Co
17 practice areas
View full profile
Olaniwun Ajayi
15 practice areas
View full profile
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
17 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Detail Commercial Solicitors
17 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Odujinrin & Adefulu
17 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Greychapel Legal
13 practice areas
View full profile
Jackson Etti & Edu
17 practice areas
View full profile
Pavestones
6 practice areas
View full profile
Projects
Tier 1
30 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
17 practice areas
View full profile
Banwo & Ighodalo
17 practice areas
View full profile
G Elias & Co
17 practice areas
View full profile
Olaniwun Ajayi
15 practice areas
View full profile
Templars
16 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Dentons ACAS-Law
16 practice areas
View profile
ENR Advisory
9 practice areas
View profile
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
17 practice areas
View full profile
ǼLEX
16 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Abdulai Taiwo & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
Bloomfield LP
12 practice areas
View full profile
DealHQ Partners
8 practice areas
View profile
Detail Commercial Solicitors
17 practice areas
View profile
Odujinrin & Adefulu
17 practice areas
View profile
Streamsowers & Köhn
14 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 4

Alliance Law Firm
15 practice areas
View full profile
Jackson Etti & Edu
17 practice areas
View full profile
Solola & Akpana
11 practice areas
View profile

Tier 5

ALP NG & Co
5 practice areas
View full profile
Advocaat Law Practice
14 practice areas
View full profile
Anaje Olumide Oke Akinkugbe (AO2 Law)
6 practice areas
View profile
Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Ikeyi Shittu & Co
16 practice areas
View full profile
OAKE Legal
9 practice areas
View profile
Pavestones
6 practice areas
View full profile
T&A Legal
1 practice area
View full profile
The New Practice
2 practice areas
View profile

Notable

CLG
1 practice area
View profile
ENR Advisory
9 practice areas
View profile
Greychapel Legal
13 practice areas
View full profile
The Law Crest
9 practice areas
View profile
Linked Reviews
Financial and corporate

Banwo & Ighodalois a a leading commercial law firm in Nigeria. The firm was established in 1991 by Asue Ighodalo and Femi Olubanwo. The firm is headquartered in Lagos and has an office in Abuja. The firm boasts of being known for providing innovative and timely solutions to clients. The deal team consists of prominent legal professionals led by managing partner Ken Etim. The firm has a strong practice across all ranked practice areas, achieving top-tier status across all of them. 

 

Highlights 

In banking and finance, the firm advised a syndicate of lenders African Export-Import Bank in connection with a EURO 1 billion  syndicated loan facility, with an accordion feature of an additional EURO 1 billion advanced to Bank of Industry Limited (BOI). The loan represents the first of its kind in terms of size and structure by any financial institution in Nigeria.

In debt capital markets, the firm is offering ongoing advise on the issuance of green bonds and bonds under the One Trillion Naira Debt and Hybrid Instruments Programme established by the Lagos State Government. The programme marks the first multi instrument debt issuance programme by a sub national government in Nigeria. 

The firm advised Renaissance Africa Energy Holding on its $1.26 billion acquisition of the entire shareholding of Shell Petroleum Company in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. 

 

Key Clients 

Africa Finance Corporation, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Dangote Group, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Dangote Cement, First City Monument Bank, Cross River State Government, Nigerian Breweries, Zenith Bank, First Holdco, Access Bank, Asset Managmement Corporation of Nigeria, Saudi Agriculture and Livestock Investment, Blackrose Chemicals, Chevron Nigeria

Client feedback (2024/2025)

"B&I have the perfect blend of leading technical knowledge and lawyers, coupled with commercial understanding, pragmatism and an ability to help clients focus on what really matters for them." - Banking and finance

"The Team displayed a high level of competence during the due diligence exercise. They also as provided strategic guidance on the deal structuring process and fulfillment of statutory & regulatory standards & approvals." - M&A

"The team is highly professional and competent with right expertise to provide the services I sought." - M&A 

"B&I continues to remain one of our preferred firms due to their professionalism, depth of knowledge, commercial acumen and ability to provide tailored and practical solutions in the face of bottlenecks." - Investment funds

"Accessibility and genuineness." - PPP/PFI

"Stella is a go-to lawyer in Nigeria across the energy sector - a trusted advisor to both Nigerian and international clients. Excellent negotiation skills and engaging personality. Extremely strong technical skillset across a wide area." - Stella Duru 

"She is genuine and accessible." - Onyine Dimkpagu

"Kehinde is a supervising partner and he plays an effective supervising partner role assisted by his senior associate AZEEZ AKANDE who is a high quality SA." - Kehinde Qjuawo 

"She is very knowledgeable (including technical knowledge and knowledge of the industry), provides workable innovative solutions, and responsive." - Ayodele Faboya 

 

 

19 results19 results
Deal Highlights
23 results23 results
Deal Name Deal Date Firm Name Jurisdiction Deal Type Lawyer Names Client Names Client Role
Standard Chartered - Financing
2020-12-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Financing
Kenneth Etim
Standard Chartered
Lender
U.S. International Development Finance - Financing
2020-08-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Financing
Ken Etim
U.S. International Development Finance
Lender
Ecobank Development; Ecobank Nigeria; Mauritius Commercial Bank - Financing
2020-03-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Financing
Femi Olubanwo, Seyi Bella
Ecobank Development, Ecobank Nigeria, Mauritius Commercial Bank
Lender
RMB Nigeria - Financing
2020-03-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Financing
Seyi Bella
RMB Nigeria
Lender
Dangote Group - Financing
2020-07-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Financing
Asue Ighodalo
Dangote Group
Borrower
Moove - Financing
2020-01-05
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Financing
Seyi Bella
Moove
Borrower
ValuAlliance Asset Management - Fund formation
2021-02-25
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Fund formation
Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
ValuAlliance Asset Management
Fund manager
Emerging Africa Asset Management - Fund formation
2020-12-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Fund formation
Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
Emerging Africa Asset Management
Fund manager
Access Bank PLC - Bond Issue
2021-10-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Bond issue
ABSA Bank, Barclays, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Mashreqbank PSC (London), Renaissance Capital Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank
Underwriter
Union Bank of Nigeria plc - M&A
2021-12-23
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Union Bank of Nigeria plc
Target
Viasat Inc - M&A
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Ayotunde Owoigbe, Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya, Isa Alade
Viasat Inc
Acquirer
Unilever Plc - M&A
2021-01-10
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Asue Ighodalo, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
Unilever Plc
Seller
Ketron Investments Ltd - M&A
2021-05-01
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Asue Ighodalo, Ayotunde Owoigbe, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
Ketron Investments Ltd
Acquirer
Ardova Plc - M&A
2021-01-11
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
Ardova Plc
Acquirer
Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Ltd - Project development
2021-01-07
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
Project development
Ayotunde Owoigbe, Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya
Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Ltd
Investor
Mastercard Inc - M&A
2021-01-04
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya, Isa Alade
Mastercard Inc
Investor
FCMB Group Plc; FCMB Pensions Ltd - M&A
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya, Isa Alade
FCMB Group Plc, FCMB Pensions Ltd
Merger party
TAK Agro & Chemicals Ltd - M&A
2021-01-07
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Ken Etim, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
TAK Agro & Chemicals Ltd
Merger party
UAC of Nigeria Plc - M&A
2021-01-09
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Azeezah Muse-Sadiq
UAC of Nigeria Plc
Merger party
Mouka Ltd - M&A
2021-12-08
Banwo & Ighodalo
Niger
M&A
Isa Alade Azeezah Muse-Sadiq, Ayodele Adeyemi-Faboya
Mouka Ltd
Seller
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