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Lagos, Nigeria is among the fastest growing cities in the world and, with a population of almost 15 million people, is the most populous city in West Africa. Lagos is the fast-paced economic hub of Nigeria and a major financial center for the African continent. Often termed a ‘megacity’, Lagos has the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and operates one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. 

The city has a rich history of economic growth and transformation and is situated in Lagos state, which generates the highest internal revenue of Nigerian states. Although the smallest in the country, the state accounts for over 60% of the nation’s industrial and commercial activities and generates over 75% of its revenues independent of federal grants derived from oil revenues. The city, and the wider state, generate revenue from a variety of sources, including manufacturing, transport, construction and wholesale and retail, which together account for most of its GDP.

Today, Lagos has emerged as a major hub for the headquarters of national and global companies and the complex business and professional services that support them. Aside from a booming population, it is a global city with a substantial and growing foreign-born population and non-stop flights to hundreds of destinations around the world. 

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. 

Dentons ACAS-Law comprises 54 lawyers who have developed considerable legal expertise and accumulated a wealth of knowledge covering various sectors of the Nigerian economy. The firm’s lawyers provide seamless services across its head office in Lagos and branch offices in Port Harcourt and Abuja and are qualified to practice as barristers and solicitors in all the states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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

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. 

Dentons wins Property and Construction Team of the Year at African Legal Awards 2022

September 12, 2022

Dentons has been named the Property and Construction Team of the Year – Mid-Large Practice at the African Legal Awards 2022 (AfLAs), as well as being Highly Recommended in Litigation & Dispute Resolution.

Dentons shortlisted for International Law Firm of the Year award in The African Legal Awards 2022

July 5, 2022

Dentons has been shortlisted for five awards by Law.com's African Legal Awards 2022. The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement from within Africa’s legal community.

Insights

An overview of the upstream petroleum operations cost efficiency incentives

June 24, 2025

Nigeria: To promote effectiveness in upstream petroleum operations, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued the Upstream Petroleum Operations (Cost Efficiency Incentives) Order in April 2025 (the “Order”) to provide for, among others, tax incentives for companies operating in the upstream sector.

The role of ethics in strengthening corporate governance structures in Nigeria

June 24, 2025

Nigeria: In today’s complex business landscape, where profit margins often dominate discussions and market forces heavily influence decision-making, ethics must remain the guiding light of corporate conduct. Corporate governance, the framework by which companies are directed and controlled, is fundamentally rooted in ethical principles.

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.

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News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons recognized as a leader in Patent law by IAM PATENT1000

June 21, 2024

Global law firm Dentons has received 20 individual lawyer recommendations across nine jurisdictions and 11 firm recommendations in the 2024 edition of IAM Patent 1000. The accolade recognizes the top-quality work of Dentons’ global Intellectual Property and Technology practice in the area of patent litigation, transactions, and prosecution.

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. 

Dentons launches combination with Zaanouni in Tunisia

October 24, 2022

Dentons has launched its previously announced combination with leading Tunisian law firm, Zaanouni Law Firm & Associates. The launch coincides with the tenth anniversary of the announcement of the creation of Dentons and follows the announcement of Dentons' combination with Link Legal in India — marking the first global law firm to combine with a law firm in India. 

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