Overview
Specialist lawyers at the forefront of Nigeria’s burgeoning mining and critical minerals industry
Aluko & Oyebode is Nigeria’s leading minerals law practice, advising across the solid minerals value chain from exploration and licensing through project development, processing, logistics, sales and marketing, and mine closure. We are the “go-to” counsel for sponsors, multilaterals, lenders, traders, EPCs and service companies seeking commercially grounded Nigerian advice that stands up to cross-border scrutiny. Our lawyers blend deep statutory knowledge of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act with pragmatic dealmaking to deliver bankable outcomes on time-critical mandates.
Our established cross-practice bench covers mineral title, permitting and ESG; project development and finance; M&A and joint ventures; offtake and marketing; infrastructure interfaces; tax and FX; land and community; and complex disputes, with particular strength on lender-side and sponsor-side project financings, Nigerian law risk allocation, and regulatory engagement. We bring particular strength on lender-side and sponsor-side project financings, Nigerian law risk allocation, and regulatory engagement to secure critical approvals, stabilize operations, and support sustainable local impact.
Through our ALN alliance, we deliver coordinated, one-team coverage across 14+ African jurisdictions for regional portfolios and cross-border supply chains while maintaining a single point of accountability in Nigeria and collaborating seamlessly with the world’s leading international law firms on multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes.‑team coverage across 14+ African jurisdictions for regional portfolios and cross‑border supply chains, while maintaining a single point of accountability in Nigeria. We also collaborate seamlessly with leading international law firms on multi‑jurisdictional transactions and disputes, ensuring global standards with local precision.
Services
Disputes, Arbitration and Crisis Management
Our foremost disputes team resolves mining and minerals controversies spanning title, offtake, construction, environmental claims and tax through negotiation, arbitration and the Nigerian courts, with rapid response protocols and a record of protecting client value.
End‑to‑End Project Development and Finance
Our leading project finance team structures and executes bankable mining projects, covering title verification, permitting, land acquisition, construction, offtake and multi-source financings, including limited recourse debt, streams, royalties and ECA and DFI participation.
ESG, Community and HSE Compliance
Our expert ESG team operationalises environmental and social standards, obtains ESIAs and related permits, designs community and local content frameworks, and aligns reporting with lender and international benchmarks.
Government Relations and Regulatory Advocacy
Our recognised team engages with regulators and ministries to clarify evolving rules, align implementation with project realities, and unlock enabling measures, leveraging relationships built over decades of market-leading work.
Mineral Title, Licensing and Regulatory Strategy
Our foremost regulatory team secures and defends exploration and mining titles, structures compliant JV and farm-in arrangements, and navigates cadastre procedures and stakeholder engagement to de-risk approvals and timelines.
Mining M&A, Joint Ventures and Offtake
Our recognised M&A team advises on asset and share deals, strategic JVs, offtake and tolling arrangements, logistics contracts and marketing agreements across precious, base, bulk and critical minerals.
Processing, Beneficiation and Minerals Infrastructure
Our award-winning team delivers legal strategy for concentrators, smelters and rolling mills, integrating power, water, road, rail and port solutions to connect mine-to-market efficiently and sustainably.
Tax, FX and Investment Structuring
Our leading tax team optimises tax, customs and FX positions for minerals projects and portfolios, balancing stability, repatriation and reinvestment under Nigerian and cross-border frameworks with commercial precision.‑border frameworks.
Selected Experience
Acted for Africa Finance Corporation
Acted for Africa Finance Corporation and co‑lenders on the financing of the Segilola Gold Mine in Osun State, Nigeria, advising on Nigerian law issues to financial close and drawdowns.
Advised lenders on the ₦13.2 billion
Advised lenders on the ₦13.2 billion financing of Orbit Hot Strip Limited for the development of hot rolled strip and cold rolled annealed mills, advancing Nigeria’s steel beneficiation capacity.
Prepared investor guidance on the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel
Prepared investor guidance on the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development’s call for Expressions of Interest for the concession of the National Iron Ore Mining Company (Itakpe), highlighting PPP and compliance pathways.
Advised on financing for African Non‑Ferrous Industries
Advised on financing for African Non‑Ferrous Industries and African Foundries, supporting metals manufacturing expansion and integration with Nigeria’s domestic minerals value chain.
Counsel to international and domestic clients
Counsel to international and domestic clients on mineral title due diligence, permitting, land acquisition and ESG frameworks for gold and base metals exploration programs in multiple Nigerian states.
Client Quotes
“Aluko & Oyebode is truly a full‑service law firm, able to leverage the depth of experience in diverse areas of practice and industry to provide robust legal advice on issues.” – The Legal 500, Energy & Natural Resources, Nigeria.
“The Aluko team is very responsive and takes the time to understand a client’s business. This creates a bespoke service experience.” – The Legal 500, Energy & Natural Resources, Nigeria.
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Awards and Accolades
Aluko & Oyebode ranked Band 1 in Projects & Energy, Chambers Global 2025, reflecting top‑tier capability across energy and natural resources, including mining‑adjacent infrastructure and financings.
Chambers Global 2025
Project Finance Firm of the Year (Nigeria), acknowledging leadership on market‑moving, multi‑source financings relevant to large‑scale extractives.
IFLR Africa Awards 2022
Energy & Power Team of the Year, recognizing multidisciplinary excellence serving complex energy and resources mandates.
ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2024