Nigeria: Corporate/Commercial Law

Data protection has evolved from a peripheral compliance issue to a core transaction risk factor in Nigerian M&A. With the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and heightened regulatory enforcement...

Nigeria's oil and gas M&A market faces increasingly rigorous regulatory oversight as competition law assumes a more prominent role alongside sector-specific approvals. This article examines the growing risk of gun-jumping in Nigerian oil and gas transactions and the regulatory consequences of premature information sharing, operational coordination or business integration before clearance is obtained.

Startup financing in Nigeria continues to evolve as the country remains one of Africa's four major startup markets, yet early-stage fundraising presents persistent challenges around valuation, particularly for companies without established revenue or market comparables. This analysis examines how hybrid instruments like SAFEs can address the practical and legal complexities founders face when raising capital before achieving operational maturity.

The Nigeria Revenue Service has launched compliance monitoring for large taxpayers under the National E-Invoicing & Electronic Fiscal System, requiring companies with annual turnover of ₦5 Billion and above to complete full system integration by 31 July 2026. Non-compliant entities face immediate enforcement actions, statutory penalties, and potential operational disruptions under applicable tax laws.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a Presidential Executive Order establishing Nigeria's first coordinated national framework for virtual assets regulation. The Order creates a Virtual Asset Council comprising the CBN, SEC, NRS, NFIU and ONSA to harmonize oversight, clarify regulatory responsibilities, and eliminate fragmented supervision across digital asset activities. How will this institutional restructuring impact VASPs, market participants, and the broader Nigerian digital assets ecosystem?

Nigeria's Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026 introduces a coordinated regulatory framework for digital assets, establishing a Virtual Asset Council to strengthen cooperation among existing authorities while preserving their statutory mandates.

The startup ecosystem has evolved from minimal oversight to a structured landscape where innovation and compliance intersect. As technology-driven businesses occupy pivotal positions in financial services, healthcare, and digital commerce, regulators have become proactive in addressing legal and policy implications.

Startup financing in Nigeria continues to evolve as the country remains one of Africa's four major startup markets, yet early-stage fundraising presents persistent challenges around valuation, particularly for companies without established revenue or market comparables. This analysis examines how hybrid instruments like SAFEs can address the practical and legal complexities founders face when raising capital before achieving operational maturity.

Nigeria has emerged as a leading destination for private equity and venture capital in Africa, with $3 billion invested across 404 transactions between 2020 and 2024. The newly enacted Investments and Securities Act 2025 introduces comprehensive regulatory oversight for PE and VC funds, bringing enhanced investor protection, stricter compliance requirements, and clearer operational frameworks to this rapidly evolving market.

This article examines the legal framework governing the sanctioning of directors and other corporate officers in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It explores the regulatory mechanisms, enforcement procedures, and comparative approaches used to hold company leadership accountable for misconduct or breach of duties. The analysis provides insights into how both jurisdictions balance corporate governance with director protection.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has announced that 31 July 2026 is the deadline for all large taxpayers (companies with an annual turnover of ₦5 billion and above) to comply with the National E-Invoicing and Electronic Fiscal System (EFS), also known as the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS)

On July 15, 2026, the Corporate Affairs Commission (the “Commission”) issued a Circular announcing the commencement of another nationwide exercise to strike-off inactive and non-compliant companies from the Register of Companies pursuant to Section 692 (3) & (4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (“CAMA”).