LR: Kemi Ajayi, Chief Operating Officer, Olaniwun Ajayi LP. Omoh Anita, Associate, Perchstone & Glaze. Iheoma Njoku, Associate, Udo Udoma, Bello Osagie (UUBO). Osoff Ojemudia, Partner, UUBO. Frank Aigbogun, BusinessDay Media Limited Publisher, Femi Oyewole, Knights Templar Partner. Mr. Atinuke Odofin, Partner at ALPNG and Co. Omo Omolodion, General Counsel, ND Western Limited, with Mr. Chioma Nwaugo, Head of Business Development, Stren & Brann Partners, at the Business Day Legal Dinner and Awards Ceremony held in Lagos on Thursday. Photo credit: Olawale Amoo
Under twinkling lights and a deeply emotional soundtrack, Nigeria’s most influential legal and business leaders gathered at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos for the 2025 Business Day Legal Dinner & Awards, a night where art meets intellect, the city’s finest charm meets the majesty of the country’s legal avant-garde.
The Blue Note Music Band filled the evening with timeless classics, from jazz standards to Golden Age ballads. Their rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music was the emotional heartbeat of the evening and a symbolic tribute to the legal profession’s role in helping businesses overcome obstacles, overcome uncertainty, and climb new heights of growth and competitiveness.
The dinner, now in its second year and expanded to include a full awards program for the first time, celebrated the practitioners, businesses, legal advisors, innovators and institutions that form the legal backbone of Nigeria’s economy. A blend of elegance, music, strategic reflection and industry-defining recognition, the 2025 edition delivered an unforgettable night of brilliance, setting the stage for an even more ambitious 2026.
2025 Winner Highlights
Corporate/Commercial Law Firm of the Year (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Winner: Banwo & Ighodaro
Banwo & Ighodalo has reaffirmed its position as Nigeria’s leading M&A practitioners. The firm advised Renaissance Africa Energy Holding Limited (RAEH) and its shareholders on the landmark US$2.4 billion acquisition of SPDC, the largest onshore upstream acquisition in Nigeria’s history. The company’s role in HIP Grover SCS’ sale of a 75% stake in Grover G&P and Accela Limited further demonstrates the company’s adeptness in multi-layered M&A execution.
Corporate/Commercial Law Firm of the Year (Capital Markets)
Winner: Udo Udoma & Bello Osagie (UUBO)
UUBO’s leadership in capital markets was evident in its advisory role to Citigroup Global Markets Limited on GTCO’s 2.28 billion share offering and listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Seplat Energy Plc’s lawyers in connection with its USD 650 million Eurobond issue strengthen UUBO’s qualifications as a reference company for high-value capital market transactions.
Corporate/Commercial Law Firm of the Year (Banking and Finance)
Winner: Knights Templar
Templars’ finance and project work has delivered strong results, including advising FinDev Canada on a US$100 million facility for the African Finance Corporation and structuring a US$150 million financing package for a major oil and gas transaction.
It is characterized by its depth in structured finance and high-value bank-side advisory.
Corporate/Commercial Law Firm of the Year (Cross-Border Transactions)
Winner: üLEX
üLEX stands out for its cross-border fluency, advising Air Liquide Afrik SA on the sale of a majority stake in Air Liquide Nigeria PLC, a transaction that required coordination between French and Nigerian regulators.
The company continues to serve global corporations and private equity houses, strengthening its leadership across Africa.
Corporate/Commercial Law Firm of the Year (Project Finance and Infrastructure)
Winner: Stren & Blan Partners
Stren & Blan’s Infrastructure and Energy practice has shaped several high-value mandates in excess of US$5 billion through the outstanding leadership of executives including Ozioma Agu.
With full support across regulatory, financing and structural issues, the company has established itself as a transformative force in Nigeria’s infrastructure ecosystem.
Business Law Innovation Award
Winner: Olaniwun Ajayi LP
Employing Harvey AI for advanced research, drafting and analysis has made Olaniwun Ajayi one of the true pioneers of legal innovation on the continent.
The firm’s blend of technology-enabled workflows and complex transactional architectures sets a new standard for future-ready legal practice in Africa.
Legal Advisor of the Year (Oil & Gas)
Winner: Omo Omolodion – General Manager/General Counsel, Legal & Compliance, ND Western Limited
An experienced upstream sector strategist, Mr. Omo Omorodion played a key role in ND Western’s participation in the Renaissance Consortium’s landmark acquisition of Shell’s SPDC onshore assets with a core consideration of USD 1.3 billion and a headline value of USD 2.4 billion. He has overseen OML 34, the Gas to Power Framework, pipeline arrangements, equity restructuring, and multi-agency regulatory initiatives, making him the preeminent general counsel for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
A lifetime of accomplishments as a business legal leader
Winner: Khairat Balogun, SAN
A pioneer with over 40 years at the pinnacle of commercial law, Ms. Khairat Balogun (San State) is known for her institutional reforms as the first female Attorney General of Lagos State, her transactional track record in the banking and energy sectors, and her lifelong commitment to leadership and nation-building.
Enterprise Legal Advisor of the Year
Winner: Perchstone & Glaze
Perchstone & Graeys was recognized for its outstanding role in empowering small businesses, start-ups and growth-stage companies. Through the annual Law Series, Regulatory Breakfast, and India and Africa Business Series, the firm has shaped policy, deepened cross-border collaboration, and guided companies through the evolving regulatory environment.
Pan-African Law Firm of the Year
Winner: ALP NG & Co.
ALP NG & Co.’s deep expertise, cross-border capabilities and organic commitment to AfCFTA-led growth have established it as Africa’s most advanced company, and more than a century of experience with its partners drives its advisory excellence.
The future beckons
As the Blue Note Band closed out the night with a reprise of “Climb Every Mountain,” guests reflected on its symbolism. Legal professionals help companies grow, overcome uncertainty, and continue to explore possibilities. One deal, one decision, one reform at a time.
The successful introduction of the awards element has established this year as Nigeria’s leading legal excellence event. And as expectations for the 2026 edition grow, getting bigger, broader and more appealing, one thing is clear. That means the Nigerian legal profession is rising to new heights and BusinessDay is proud to light its way.
