Experience

Our experienced team provides comprehensive corporate trust and agency services across Nigeria and the West African region, supporting structured finance, corporate debt, project finance, syndicated lending, public finance, and other capital markets transactions. A key advantage we offer clients is the breadth and depth of our expertise. Our lawyers work collaboratively across practice areas—including debt & finance, capital markets, litigation, tax, insolvency, real estate, and regulatory compliance—to deliver seamless, full-spectrum legal support to corporate trust clients.

Recognized for their leadership in structured finance, our lawyers have advised on thousands of capital markets transactions and are widely trusted by corporate trustees, issuers, lenders, and investors. Our team has extensive experience in a variety of product types, including:

• Structured finance products such as asset-backed securities (ABS), mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), collateralized debt obligations (CDO/CLO), and real estate investment trusts (REITs)

• Corporate debt, syndicated loans, and project finance

• Municipal and public finance instruments

• Hedge funds, private investment funds, and capital market products

In addition to transaction closings, we advise corporate trust clients on administrative, regulatory, and default matters, including taxation, insolvency, litigation, and collateral management.

Transaction Administration

We counsel clients on all aspects of transaction administration, including:

• Distribution of funds in line with applicable cash flow and trust provisions

• Acquisition, management, and disposition of collateral assets

• Compliance with local regulatory and reporting requirements under Nigerian laws and regulations, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), SEC Rules, CBN Guidelines, and FMDQ Exchange reporting requirements

Whether addressing compliance issues, collateral management, or interpretation of trust and transaction documents, our team helps corporate trustees navigate complex scenarios and fulfill their duties effectively.

Defaults & Disputes

We advise clients on disputes and the administration of defaulted transactions, including scenarios involving insolvency, litigation, and enforcement of trust or security rights. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing corporate trustees in distressed transactions, bankruptcy proceedings, and restructurings, and are familiar with the operational, legal, and fiduciary challenges trustees face in Nigeria and the region.

We regularly advise on disputes involving issuers, bondholders, derivative counterparties, and other transaction participants. Our team is recognized for leading guidance in structured finance defaults, enforcement of collateral rights, and resolution of complex claims—ensuring corporate trustees can protect the interests of their clients and investors.

Client Value

Our interdisciplinary team of lawyers combines creativity, technical skill, and practical insight to deliver solutions for corporate trustees. With expertise across structured finance, capital markets, corporate debt, project finance, insolvency, litigation, asset sales, and mortgage servicing, we understand how deals are structured and the interests of all parties involved. This allows us to anticipate potential challenges, propose solutions aligned with clients’ objectives, and provide strategic counsel that safeguards long-term value.