The Meridian Legal

31/05/2026

Hogan Lovells Strengthens Africa Arbitration Coverage with hire of Sébastien Bonnard and team

On 29 May 2026, Hogan Lovells announced the hire of Sébastien Bonnard and team from Hughes Hubbard & Reed in Paris. This lateral addition directly bolsters the firm's Africa-facing arbitration and disputes offering at a time when West African mandates increasingly feature complex cross-border enforcement, parallel proceedings, and regulatory challenges under OHADA uniform acts or local statutes. While no single new West Africa transaction triggered the move, it signals BigLaw positioning for anticipated upticks in energy, infrastructure, and fintech disputes amid ongoing FX volatility in Nigeria and project delays in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire....

On 29 May 2026, Hogan Lovells announced the hire of Sébastien Bonnard and team from Hughes Hubbard & Reed in Paris. This lateral addition directly bolsters the firm’s Africa-facing arbit…

24/05/2026

The Federal High Court’s 20 May 2026 decision striking down INEC’s compressed deadlines under the Electoral Act 2026 resets the operational calendar for Nigeria’s 2027 electoral cycle. By restoring statutory periods (120/90/60 days), the ruling removes artificial compression that had forced accelerated candidate nominations, financing closings, and compliance checks.

For General Counsel at corporates with exposure to government contracts, infrastructure bids, or sector licensing (oil & gas, power, fintech), this creates a materially different risk environment: longer windows for diligence but also prolonged uncertainty around policy continuity and counterparties. The decision arrives as parties commence primaries, amplifying focus on legal structuring of campaign support vehicles, foreign investment flows, and liability allocation in politically sensitive mandates.

21/05/2026

Kasi Cloud Mandates Reflect Rising Legal Complexity in AI Infrastructure Projects

Two leading Nigerian law firms, Ikeyi Sh*tty & Co. and Olaniwun Ajayi LP are playing central advisory roles in the development and financing of Kasi Cloud AI-ready hyperscale data centre project in Lekki, reflecting how sophisticated legal structuring is becoming increasingly critical to Africa’s emerging digital infrastructure market. Ikeyi Sh*ttu & Co. is serving as corporate and governance counsel to Kasi Cloud, with the firm’s Managing Partner, Nduka Ikeyi, also sitting on the company’s board....

Two leading Nigerian law firms, Ikeyi Sh*tty & Co. and Olaniwun Ajayi LP are playing central advisory roles in the development and financing of Kasi Cloud AI-ready hyperscale data centre proje…

20/05/2026

Nania Owusu-Ankomah, FCIArb, partner at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, has been appointed Vice President of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), marking a notable expansion of African representation within one of the world’s most influential commercial arbitration bodies.

13/03/2026

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we join the global conversation around this year’s theme, “Give to Gain.”

Through our internal theme, “Beyond Labels: The Power of Giving,” we celebrate the many ways women uplift and empower one another through mentorship, collaboration, advocacy, and the sharing of experiences.

These everyday acts of giving open doors, strengthen networks, and drive meaningful progress for women and the communities we serve.

22/02/2026

The BOA Lawyers’ League 2026 kicks off today, at 2:30 PM (WAT).

Held in honour of one of our Founding Partners, the tournament brings together leading Nigerian law firms in a celebration of excellence, camaraderie and healthy competition.

Participating firms this year include:

AELEX
ALP NG & Co
Babalakin & Co
Banwo & Ighodalo
Chris Ogunbanjo LP
Dentons ACAS-Law
Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA)
Kenna Partners
Olaniwun Ajayi LP
Pinheiro LP
Streamsowers & Köhn
Stren & Blan Partners
Templars
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO)
Advocaat Law Practice
Aluko & Oyebode

We look forward to an exciting season as teams take to the pitch and court in the true spirit of the profession.

13/12/2025

| Our Managing Associate, Tochukwu J. Anaenugwu, MCIArb, recently spoke at a sideline panel during London Arbitration Week, jointly organised by IBA Arb40, London VYAP, and the Young Energy Arbitration Club.

The discussion focused on the evolving role of arbitration in the context of the global energy transition.

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08/12/2025

Our Associate, Chidozie Chikwe, AAT, ACTI, has been named one of the Top 20 Content Creators for Tax Reform Education by the Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms Committee.

Selected from over 8,500 nominations, this recognition underscores his contribution to promoting clearer public understanding of Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms.

At Aluko & Oyebode, we acknowledge the importance of accessible, well-rounded perspectives on regulatory developments, and we congratulate Chidozie on this achievement.

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08/12/2025

Our Co-Managing Partner, Joke Aliu, will be speaking at the International Bar Association (IBA) Bar Issues Commission (BIC) Conference on International Trade in Legal Services (ITILS), scheduled to hold today, 8 December 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The conference, jointly hosted by the International Bar Association (IBA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the NBA Section on Business Law, will bring together leading practitioners to discuss the evolving landscape of cross-border legal practice and international business.

With a decade-long track record of convening in emerging markets, the IBA BIC ITILS Conference is designed to equip lawyers with the insight required to respond to the increasing internationalisation of legal services and to enhance participation in cross-border work within their home jurisdictions.

Joke will speak alongside a distinguished lineup of senior practitioners in the session titled “Creation of Joint Ventures – Different Forms of International Alliances and Their Benefits.”

She will join the panel to examine the strategic, legal, and commercial considerations underpinning international joint ventures and alliances.