Department profile
Banwo & Ighodalo

Banking & Finance

Global Guide 2026 : Nigeria

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Banwo & Ighodalo

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About

Provided by Banwo & Ighodalo

The Banking and Finance practice group (the “Team”) of Banwo & Ighodalo (the “Firm”) has extensive expertise in debt and project financing transactions. The Team advises government agencies, development finance institutions, major investment and commercial banks, and international and domestic borrowers and lenders in transactions involving secured, unsecured, multi-currency and bilateral and syndicated lending arrangements. The Team provides bespoke legal services on various products offered by financial institutions including:

  • Debt restructuring
  • Infrastructure and project finance
  • Acquisition finance
  • Trade finance
  • Structured finance and securitisation
  • Aircraft, shipping, and vessel leasing and financing
  • Real estate financing
  • Finance leases/Asset financing
  • Leveraged financing

The innovative and award-winning structuring solutions proffered by the Team have led the Firm to advise on complex, pioneer restructuring transactions in the international market involving debt-to-equity swaps, derivatives, Islamic finance, and fintech.

The Team routinely advises on compliance with banking and regulatory legislation, and most recently, our attorneys were tapped by the federal government between 2019 and 2020 to provide guidance on the repeal and amendment to the Companies and Allied Matters Act – one of the premier regulations governing financial transactions in Nigeria.

Clients (39)

  • Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
  • Nigerian Gas Company
  • Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC
  • African Finance Corporation
  • African Development Bank
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited
  • BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA
  • Deutsche Bank AG
  • Overseas Private Investment Corporation
  • Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC
  • Rand Merchant Bank Limited
  • Natixis Bank
  • Chevron Nigeria Limited
  • Nigerian Breweries PLC
  • Shoreline Natural Resources Limited
  • Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V.
  • Dangote Group
  • Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited
  • MainOne Cable Company Limited
  • Standard Chartered PLC
  • Ecobank Development Company Limited
  • Ecobank Nigeria Limited
  • Mauritian Commercial Bank Limited
  • ABSA Group Limited
  • Oando Plc
  • Avanti Communications Group Plc
  • AppZone Group
  • Moove Africa
  • Green Africa Airways Limited
  • Oceanwinds Hospitality Limited
  • United States International Development Finance Corporation
  • ACTIS
  • African Export-Import Bank
  • Custodian Investments Plc
  • FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited
  • Growthpoint Investec African Properties Limited
  • Standard Bank of South Africa
  • Trafigura Ventures V.B.V

Industries (13)

  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Financial Services
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate
  • Telecommunications
  • Government
  • Banking
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Food & Beverage
  • Hospitality
  • Transportation (Aviation and Shipping)
  • Fintech

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Nigeria

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Banwo & Ighodalo operates a highly regarded banking group that possesses considerable expertise in loan transactions. The firm is well known for advising a number of major commercial banks and domestic financial institutions, as well as working with multinational companies investing in Nigeria. It possesses extensive experience structuring financial transactions and advising on regulatory matters, and is increasingly involved in transactions and financings involving the oil and gas and real estate sectors.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Banwo & Ighodalo acted as Nigerian counsel to the African Ex-Im Bank, as agent for a syndicate of lenders, on a EUR2 billion unsecured three-year loan to Bank of Industry.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Banwo & Ighodalo has a deep understanding of local legal frameworks, particularly in relation to complex arrangements and cross-border transactions.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • Banwo & Ighodalo offers expert knowledge of industry, with the ability to easily handle complex matters.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • Banwo & Ighodalo's work is top quality. It also brings commercial awareness to the work, but keeping in mind our goals and commercial objectives, giving us opinions and legal support.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • Banwo & Ighodalo offers strong client relationships, efficient operations and a deep understanding of the legal landscape.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • The team is consistently quick to respond to enquiries and provides thorough, clear advice.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Asue Ighodalo
    Asue Ighodalo

    Asue Ighodalo

    Asue Ighodalo is a highly esteemed banking lawyer, recognised for his expertise in project finance and high-value, often cross-border, facilities transactions.

    • Asue Ighodalo offers exceptional expertise.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
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  • Seyi Bella
    Seyi Bella

    Seyi Bella

    Seyi Bella has a strong reputation as a legal practitioner advising major banks, corporations and financial institutions both in Nigeria and further afield. She has experience with secured lending, project finance and refinancing mandates.

    • Seyi Bella is a very intelligent resource.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Banwo & Ighodalo (2)

Nigeria

Members

Provided by Banwo & Ighodalo

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