Introduction For the better part of June and July 2026, the FIFA World Cup had the world enthralled with nerve-racking matches, record-breaking performances and celebrations that stretched far beyond the stadiums. But while fans counted goals, another spectator was keeping a different score – the taxman. The tournament ended weeks ago, but for the players, the story did not end on the pitch. In its wake, athletes were faced with taxation tied to the sporting activities they performed in host countries, and for those who played on American soil, this meant up to 37% of their earnings, in some cases, going to the taxman...
AELEX
Overview
AELEX is a full service commercial and litigation law firm. It is one of the largest law firms in West Africa with offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.
The firm has local legal expertise and presence, political & industry wide connections with an appreciation for global standards. AELEX was formed as a result of the merger on July 1, 2004 of four leading commercial law firms. O. Adekoya & Co., Victor & Charles, Anga & Emuwa and Adegbite Adeniji & Co.
Members of the firm are active in many professional associations including the International Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Arbitration Association, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Association, Centre for American and International Law, Venture Capital Association of Nigeria, International Trademark Association, and Telecommunications Lawyers Association of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, African Telecommunications Think Tank, American Society of International Law and the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Also, the firm is a member of a number of business associations including the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, West African Enterprise Network, and the Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria.
The firm is the Nigerian member of the law firm section of the World Services Group.
The firm is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to provide advisory services in relation to securities.
Notable
Areas of Practice
Representative Clients
Professionals
Articles
Innovative Trade Finance: Promoting Inclusivity, Resilience and Interoperability Through Digitalisation
1.0 Introduction The increasing digitalisation of global commerce fundamentally transforms how Trade Finance is deployed and accessed by businesses. The International Chamber of Commerce (“the ICC”) defines Trade Finance as the invisible bridge that makes global trade flow.[1] Trade Finance connects entities across continents, mitigates payment risks and is enzymatic to market progression and economic stability. However, certain categories of traders such as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), youth and women-owned businesses struggle with access, resulting in underutilisation of available opportunities...
Press releases
AELEX ADVISES ON DANGOTE REFINERY'S LANDMARK US$1.5 Billion IPO
AELEX is pleased to have acted as Joint Solicitors to the offer in connection with the initial public offering by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.With an offer size of approximately US$1.5 billion, the transaction represents a significant milestone for Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE and the Nigerian capital markets. We are delighted to have advised on this landmark transaction which is the largest single IPO yet, in Africa, and the first-ever public offering by a Free Zone Entity (FZE) in Nigeria...
CBN Signals a Fundamental Shift in the Regulation of Financial Services Groups
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has published for consultation its Exposure Draft of the Guidelines on Ring-Fencing Operations of Closely Linked Entities in the Nigerian Financial System. While the Guidelines are not yet in force, they signal a significant shift in the CBN's regulatory expectations for financial services groups operating multiple licensed entities.At first glance, the draft appears to focus on ring-fencing and governance. However, its implications extend much further...



