Thought Leadership
Insights from our Legal Experts
CBN's Open Banking Guidelines: Implications for Non-Bank Entities
It is often assumed that the CBN's Open Banking Guidelines are relevant only to banks and licensed fintech companies. However, a closer reading of the Open Banking Guidelines suggests that its application is significantly broader, extending to any company that shares or consumes financial data through APIs, regardless of sector.
CBN Audits: Key Considerations for Fintechs & Microfinance Banks
A CBN audit is an on-site or off-site examination conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria to assess a regulated financial institution’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and prudential requirements
Doing Business with the Nigerian Government: Key Considerations for Private Sector Players
From oil to infrastructure and digital regulation, Nigeria’s Federal Government sits at the center of the nation’s economic activity. For private investors, public partnerships can be transformative, but they’re also uniquely complex. This article distills practical lessons and legal insights for private companies seeking to engage the Nigerian Government effectively.
Evaluating Labour Guidelines and Cost Drivers in Nigeria's Oil & Gas Industry: A Review in Light of the Cost Efficiency Incentives Order, 2025
The recently issued Cost Efficiency Incentives Order, 2025 rightly identifies the need for efficiency in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. However, as we noted in o...
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: Reflections on the WAGP Tariff Methodology
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) represents one of Africa’s most ambitious cross-border infrastructure projects.
Lagos Carbon Exchange: Key Legal & Market Considerations
The Lagos Carbon Exchange introduces a credible local alternative
Off-Plan Property Purchases in Lagos: Key Considerations
Many off-plan real estate developers do not set out to be fraudulent. In reality, many real estate developers are ambitious but undercapitalised and understructured. The result is not necessarily fraud but avoidable failure.
Roads & Highways Financing in Nigeria - Key Legal Considerations
Nigeria has an infrastructure financing gap of over $3 trillion, and it needs to spend at least $100 billion annually for the next 30 years to close this gap
Trump’s 3.5% Tax on Remittances - Some Product Considerations
If President Trump’s proposal to impose a 3.5% excise tax on outbound remittances by non-citizens becomes law, remittance and money transfer companies operating in the cross-border payments space will need to significantly update their compliance strategies.
Managing Residential Estates in Lagos: Estate Dues Issues
In that case, the Residents’ Association requested estate dues covering security, waste management, and other community services, from Megawatts, a new resident.
Buying a House in Lagos
In our view, buying a house in Lagos is in many ways similar to buying a house in NewYork and Silicon Valley combined
Renting Office Space in Lagos
You may need to make medium to significant infrastructure upgrades or aesthetic facelifts before moving in
Cost Efficiency Incentives Order, 2025
The Upstream Petroleum Operations (Cost Efficiency Incentives) Order, 2025
Should VC Funds be Regulated like Mutual Funds?
Delaware should be the bench mark and part of the goal should be to position Nigeria as a magnet for risk capital, attracting tech founders and fund managers.
Data Protection or Data Privacy: What Does Section 37 Really Guarantee?
If we treat every breach of data protection obligations as a breach of constitutional rights, we risk (a) flooding the courts with claims that should be regulatory in nature
Paystack and the Holding Funds Rule: Implications for a PSSP
We analyse the “holding funds” rule as it applies to a PSSP and what this means for the design and structure of fintech products
Data Protection Considerations in Mergers & Acquisitions in Nigeria
Nigeria’s consumer protection agency fined Meta $220 million because it believed that Meta breached data protection laws and that the breach was so egregious as...
Protecting Global Luxury Brands in Nigeria: Key Legal Strategies
Whilst Africa’s luxury market offers immense potential, global luxury brands risk losing revenue and reputation to counterfeiters, without a proactive brand protection strategy.
NNPC Limited: Rethinking the Rationale for an IPO
We are of the view that the Federal Government should continue to retain full ownership and strategic control of NNPC Limited
The FCCPC: A Review of the Scope of its Investigation Powers
The FCCPC can request confidential or proprietary information and trade secrets.
The Nigeria Tax Bill - Revisiting the New Rent Relief Allowance
It would appear that landlords and dependent adults will no longer be entitled to income tax reliefs under the Nigeria Tax Bill.
Series A Financing - What to Expect
In this update, we highlight some key Series A considerations for founders looking to raise a Series A financing
Consortium Agreements: Structuring Considerations in Nigeria
Consortium Agreements remain one of the crucial ways to win and execute public private partnerships and high-stakes public and private contracts.
Can Lagos’ Electricity Market Serve as a Blueprint for Other States?
Our analysis suggests that a tailored approach is essential for designing sustainable electricity markets across the country.
E-Commerce Regulations in Nigeria - Key Considerations
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, offers significant growth potential for global e-commerce platforms seeking to expand into emerging markets
Lagos Electricity Law: Investment Opportunities for 2025
With growing electricity demand driven by Lagos’ population of over 20 million and its position as Nigeria’s economic engine, 2025 is poised to be a transformative year for power sector investors in Lagos
Lagos Electricity Market: Key Incentives for Investors
The Lagos Electricity Law stands out as a transformative piece of legislation poised to redefine the Lagos electricity market. One of its most noteworthy features is its clear focus on fostering investor confidence through robust legal protections.
Content Moderation in Nigeria: Legal Frameworks & Recent Developments
On December 3, 2024, the NITDA issued a public notice regarding the state of compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, 2023.
Pre-Series Financing: Key Insights for Founders
We find that some startups attach the “Pre-” label to a funding round because they didn’t secure the full target amount or feel the amount raised doesn’t align with what’s typically associated with that stage. But what does it really mean, and when should you use it?
How VCs Support Start-Ups Post-Investment
It’s often overlooked but venture capital is more than just a financial investment—it’s a partnership that fuels growth. Beyond the cash infusion, VCs provide critical post-investment management support to help startups achieve critical product and revenue milestones. So, what should you expect from your VC after closing a round?
Intermediary Liability: Legal Considerations for Tech Platforms in Nigeria
Intermediary liability, as a legal and policy concern, raises the question: To what extent should tech platforms bear financial or criminal responsibility for the online actions or omissions of their users? As digital platforms continue to reshape industries and societies, this issue lies at the heart of balancing innovation with accountability
Software as a Service in Nigeria: Some Commercial Issues
When global companies offer Software as a Service (SaaS) in Nigeria, they encounter distinct commercial challenges shaped by the country’s unique legal, economic, and business landscape. From navigating regulatory compliance and overcoming payment barriers to addressing data protection requirements and managing infrastructure limitations, these issues present significant hurdles.