Nigeria

Nigeria

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Nigeria, Africa’s economic gateway, is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. The country boasts the largest economy on the continent with a GDP of US$469 billion and a population of over 200 million. Nigeria has a market capitalization of US$40 billion and possesses one of the largest financial markets in Africa, supporting a thriving local business environment and attracting foreign investors and multinational companies alike.

In April 2021, Dentons combined with leading Nigerian law firm Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun ("ACAS-Law") on the 30th anniversary of ACAS-Law’s founding. This historic combination is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the result of a longstanding and solid relationship, developed over several years, between the two firms.

ACAS-Law’s 32 years of experience in Nigeria, combined with Dentons' global sector expertise and reputation for delivering technical innovation, means you now benefit from an enhanced offering that will serve as a primary gateway, connecting worldwide services to Nigeria-based clients and companies. The firm was established in 1991 as a partnership by its two founding partners, Sola Adepetun and Afolabi Caxton-Martins, under the name, Adepetun & Caxton-Martins, to provide professional legal services as a full service corporate and commercial law firm. The firm has undergone several iterations of its original name in order to reflect the growth of its esteemed partnership.

Led by fifteen partners, Dentons ACAS-Law's total team of 50+ lawyers and 30+ business services staff is well resourced to support your needs. All of our lawyers are qualified to practice as barristers and solicitors in all the States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dentons ACAS-Law operates out of three offices, with its head office located in Lagos and branch offices in Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Dentons ACAS-Law is recognized as the market leader in oil and gas advisory services in Nigeria and continues to gain global recognition for our specialist services in:

Banking and Finance
Corporate & Commercial
Dispute Resolution
Energy and Natural Resources
Infrastructure
Project Finance
Media and Entertainment
Shipping and Maritime
Intellectual Property
Tax
Telecommunications
Technology

With sound commercial experience and a pragmatic approach, Dentons ACAS-Law provides you with a competitive edge when entering or operating your business in Africa’s most advanced economy.

Recognition

WTR 1000 2025: Dentons’ lawyers among world’s leading trademark professionals

February 3, 2025

The World Trademark Review has highly ranked Dentons in the 2025 edition of WTR 1000 – the directory recognizing the world’s leading trademark legal services providers and practitioners.

Dentons boosts its quality rankings in The Legal 500 EMEA 2024

April 3, 2024

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 has awarded Dentons 260 practice and sector rankings across Europe, Middle East and Africa, including 82 Tier 1 and 82 Tier 2 standings. The Firm earned 35 new or improved practice rankings, confirming the ever-strengthening scope and quality of client services. In addition, we received a total of 282 individual rankings for 234 Dentons lawyers in 37 jurisdictions placing them among the leaders in their respective practice areas.

WTR 1000 2024 recognizes Dentons’ lawyers among world’s leading trademark professionals

February 15, 2024

The World Trademark Review has highly ranked Dentons in the 2024 edition of WTR 1000 - the directory recognizing the world’s leading trademark legal services providers and practitioners. Dentons received 45 individual lawyer rankings, reflecting the quality of its service offering and strong market reputation of its intellectual property lawyers.

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Insights

The board skills matrix: A strategic tool for improving board effectiveness and strengthening decision-making

June 9, 2025

Nigeria: A properly structured board skills matrix serves as the essential foundation for achieving strong board composition and, ultimately, optimizing board effectiveness and the quality of decision making. The composition of a board goes beyond filling seats, it is a critical determinant of an organization's strategic path, its ability to navigate risks, and the strength of its governance structures.

An overview of corporate governance provisions under the Investments and Securities Act 2025

June 3, 2025

Nigeria: In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed the Investments and Securities Act 2025 (“ISA” or the “Act”) into law. The Act repeals the Investments and Securities Act 2007 and reaffirms the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or the “Commission”) as the sole regulator of the Nigerian capital market. Under this mandate, the SEC is responsible for promoting capital formation, protecting investors, maintaining a fair, efficient, and transparent market, and mitigating systemic risk.

A review of the key amendments in the Investment and Securities Act 2025

May 7, 2025

Nigeria:The Investments and Securities Act, 2025 (“ISA 2025” or the “Act”) represents a major legislative reform, replacing the repealed Investments and Securities Act of 2007 (“repealed Act”). This comprehensive overhaul modernises Nigeria’s securities and capital markets framework in line with global best practices. It enhances regulatory oversight, bolsters investor protection, and addresses emerging market challenges—while promoting a fair, efficient, and transparent market aimed at reducing systemic risk.

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News and Events

Recent Press Releases

WTR 1000 2025: Dentons’ lawyers among world’s leading trademark professionals

February 3, 2025

The World Trademark Review has highly ranked Dentons in the 2025 edition of WTR 1000 – the directory recognizing the world’s leading trademark legal services providers and practitioners.

New Dentons report: Infrastructure is the gateway to Africa’s global investment breakthrough

December 19, 2024

Despite its abundant natural resources, excellent conditions for renewable energy generation, and young population, Africa’s economic potential remains largely untapped, with infrastructure investment holding the key to unlocking both current opportunities and long-term prosperity. These are the key findings of From Riches to Returns, a new report released by Dentons.