Mr. Osayaba Giwa-Osagie SAN is the Senior and Founding Partner of the firm, bringing over 36 years of experience as both an accomplished litigator and a leading corporate and commercial lawyer. He has appeared before all superior courts of record in Nigeria and has advised governments, international corporations and major industry players on complex commercial, regulatory and cross-sector matters. Recognised for his exceptional connections, strategic insight and personable professionalism, he has handled landmark legal actions including the first case instituted on behalf of the Securities and Exchange Commission against unregistered stockbrokers. His work spans oil and gas, mining, banking, securities regulation and project finance, cementing his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected legal practitioners.
Areas of Expertise / Practice Areas
- Aviation
- Banking
- Capital Markets and Securities
- Corporate Governance
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Foreign Investment
- Project Finance
- Oil and Gas
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Real Estate
- Telecommunications and Information Technology
Professional Experience
- Senior Partner and founder with more than three decades of legal practice.
- Appeared before all superior courts of record in Nigeria.
- Consultant to state governments, multinational corporations and international investors.
- Led the team that advised an international payment processing corporation on regulatory issues in relation to prepaid currency card management services.
- Advised an international organisation on the implementation of its DFID-funded market development project in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.
- Advised a South African telecommunications company, on its proposed acquisition of a public limited liability telecommunications company in Nigeria.
- Lead counsel that advised an Embassy on the acquisition of 49,340 sqms of land in Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos for diplomatic use.
- Spearheaded high-stakes contract negotiations, drafting, and reviews for multinational clients.
- Extensive involvement in mining project structuring, exploration agreements and joint venture arrangements.
- Honorary Legal Adviser to the Nigeria–South Africa Chamber of Commerce.
Education & Qualifications
- LL.B (Hons), University of Warwick, Coventry, England
- Barrister-at-Law (B.L.), Nigerian Law School
- Notary Public, Supreme Court of Nigeria
- Senior Advocate of Nigeria
Notable Matters / Representative Work
- Advised on major oil and gas transactions involving local and foreign companies.
- Provided extensive guidance on compliance with Nigerian local content legislation.
- Counselled on mining sector projects, including exploration and joint venture agreements.
- Advised state governments and multinational organisations on high-value commercial arrangements.
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- The Legal Nature of Bonds in Commercial Transactions in Nigeria – Without Prejudice Journal, 2015
- Financing Options in the Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria – Journal of Energy and Resources Law, 2015
- Co-author, Nigeria Chapter on Libel (Slander) – Carter-Ruck on Libel and Privacy
- The Appropriate Legal and Fiscal Framework for Exploration and Mining – National Mining Policy Dialogue, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and World Bank (2004)
- Doing Business in the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria: A Bird’s Eye View
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
- Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Capital Market Solicitors Association
Awards & Rankings
- Chambers Global (2007) described him as:
“Thoughtful, thorough and highly personable… an excellent lawyer in any country, with first-rate connections and deep market understanding.”
