Nigeria’s corporate law firms stand at the forefront of the nation’s economic transformation.
These legal powerhouses provide essential guidance on high-stakes transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, capital raising, and major infrastructure projects.
Their expertise helps both local businesses and international investors navigate Nigeria’s complex regulatory environment while maximizing opportunities in Africa’s largest market.
The success of these firms rests largely on their managing partners – accomplished legal minds who blend courtroom expertise with boardroom strategy.
From negotiating billion-dollar energy deals to structuring cross-border investments, Nigeria’s top legal professionals have earned global recognition for their work.
In this review, we examine ten standout managing partners whose vision and track record continue to elevate Nigeria’s legal industry.
Fidelis Adewole serves as the Managing Partner at G. Elias, where he leads a distinguished legal career shaped by his academic excellence and broad industry expertise. A graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Adewole earned his Bachelor of Laws degree at the top of his class. At the Nigerian Law School, he won the Prince Bola Ajibola Prize for outstanding proficiency in Civil Procedure and the Dr. Mudiaga Odje Prize for excellence in both Civil and Criminal Procedure.
A Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Adewole is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and a Notary Public. His practice spans dispute resolution, corporate law, taxation, projects, insolvency, and restructuring. He has advised on major transactions, including BUA Cement Plc’s merger with Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, the sale of Enterprise Bank to Heritage Bank, and a landmark real estate project in Lekki Phase 1.
- Elias & Co has established itself as a leader in handling complex, high-value transactions across Nigeria’s key economic sectors.
- The firm’s notable achievements include advising on the N1.8 trillion listing of Transcorp Power Plc on NGX, the merger between Titan Trust Bank and Union Bank Nigeria, and the Financial Market Dealers Association.
- The firm regularly represents major clients including Interswitch Limited, mPharma Africa B.V., and Mafab Ltd across power, oil & gas, fintech, and consumer sectors.
Adewole has represented British American Tobacco Plc in one of Nigeria’s most extensive series of product liability cases and advised leading corporations in complex tax, merger, and insolvency matters. His work reflects a career committed to excellence at the highest levels of legal practice.
