Emediong Essien

Over the course of his career, Emediong has advised sellers, acquirers, targets, investors (such as, private equity firms, financial institutions and strategic investors) in foreign-led, intra-Africa and Nigeria Merger and Acquisitions across several industries and sectors.

Emediong has garnered practical legal experience from advising a diversified portfolio of clients on various issues ranging from corporate finance, private equity, restructuring, business regulatory and compliance, and general legal advisory. His deep understanding of the Financial Services Sector and his ability to provide bespoke and practical solutions to meet complex clients’ needs on a wide range of commercial issues remain a focal point in commercial transactions. Emediong is particularly noted for his ability to craft tailored, commercially focused legal solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients operating in highly regulated sectors.

In addition to his transactional work, Emediong has advised on competition law issues, including merger control and market conduct, and has supported government agencies, concessionaires and private sponsors on PPP projects involving infrastructure development and service delivery. He also provides strategic business and regulatory advice to clients navigating market entry, expansion, and restructuring efforts.

Emediong has played significant roles in a range of high-value transactions and is experienced in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating diverse commercial agreements, as well as advising on rights and obligations arising from them. Notable transactions he has advised on include:

• The acquisition of Sigma Pensions Limited by Access Holdings;

• The perpetual non-callable (NC) fixed rate, resettable additional tier 1 (AT1) Series 1 and 2 Bonds of up to N20.68 Billion and N26 Billion under the N300 Billion debt issuance programme by FCMB Group Plc, being the first non-sharia local currency AT1 instrument issued in Nigeria

• The concession with the Ogun State Government for the development of a 250-bed specialist hospital.

• A ₦1.2 billion investment in a leading cinema chain;

• A US$3.8 million investment in an export-oriented agricultural company;

• The Lagos State ₦115 billion Series I 10-Year Fixed Rate Bond Issuance; and

• The ₦30 billion 5-Year 18% Secured Fixed Rate Guaranteed Notes issued by BOFT Infrastructure SPV Limited.