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 approximately 200 legal professionals, 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 projects 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: 34th edition (2024/2025)
During the research period, the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, M&A and projects.
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 projects, the firm worked on energy and infrastructure projects for developers and sponsors in the oil & gas, mining, aviation, transport and government sectors.
Deal highlights: 34th edition (2024/2025)
International Finance Corporation (IFC) $50 million financing in the Lagos Free Zone Company (LFZC)
Federal Government of Nigeria $2 billion domestic bond issuance programme
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company NGN27 billion capital raise
Huaxin indirect acquisition of a majority stake in a Lafarge Africa
