Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is supported by a highly sophisticated legal market, with the most influential firms concentrated in Lagos. These domestic powerhouses are essential for handling the country’s massive volumes of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), high-value M&A, Banking & Finance, and complex Energy & Infrastructure projects.
Based on consistent Tier 1/Band 1 rankings from international legal directories (Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR1000), here are the top 10 commercial law firms defining the Nigerian legal landscape.
Top 10 Commercial Law Firms in Nigeria
| Rank (Approx.) | Firm Name | Headquarters | Key Specialties/Focus |
| 1 | Aluko & Oyebode (ALN Nigeria) | Lagos | Market Leader in M&A, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets. Largest full-service firm. |
| 2 | TEMPLARS | Lagos | Leading in Energy & Natural Resources, Project Finance, Commercial Litigation. |
| 3 | Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie | Lagos | Top-Tier Corporate Transactions, Joint Ventures, Private Equity, Energy. |
| 4 | Banwo & Ighodalo | Lagos | Pre-eminent in Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, and Oil & Gas. |
| 5 | Olaniwun Ajayi LP | Lagos | Elite in Banking & Finance, Private Equity, Infrastructure, and Corporate Advisory. |
| 6 | G. Elias & Co. | Lagos | Highly regarded for Capital Markets, Corporate, and innovative business law solutions. |
| 7 | ΗΌLEX | Lagos | Full-service Commercial Law with a strong regional West Africa presence and robust Dispute Resolution. |
| 8 | Jackson, Etti & Edu | Lagos | Excellent across IP, Energy & Infrastructure, and multi-jurisdictional transactions. |
| 9 | Dentons ACAS-Law | Lagos | Strong projects and energy finance group, leverages the Dentons global network for cross-border work. |
| 10 | Detail Commercial Solicitors | Lagos | Specialist commercial firm focusing on M&A, Investment, and Acquisition Transactions. |
π Defining the Elite Nigerian Market
-
The “Band 1” Core: Firms like Aluko & Oyebode, TEMPLARS, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Banwo & Ighodalo, and Olaniwun Ajayi LP consistently occupy the top tier in core practice areas (Corporate, M&A, Finance, and Energy), making them the primary destination for high-value transactional work.
-
Energy and Projects Expertise: Given Nigeria’s status as an energy hub, firms like TEMPLARS and Aluko & Oyebode possess exceptional capabilities in Oil & Gas, Power Projects, and Renewable Energy finance, advising both domestic and international investors and operators.
-
International Connectivity: Many top firms are either members of major global alliances (G. Elias & Co. is a Multilaw member) or are officially associated with global firms (Dentons ACAS-Law), ensuring they can handle complex cross-border transactions involving multinational corporations and global fund managers.
-
Capital Markets Power: Firms like Banwo & Ighodalo and G. Elias & Co. are leaders in advising on significant Debt and Equity Capital Market listings and securitisations on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).
These law firms are the cornerstone of Nigeria’s commercial growth, providing the specialized legal foundation necessary for investment and development across the region.