Folasade Olusanya

Folasade Olusanya is the Co-Managing Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu and one of Nigeria’s most respected voices in project and transactional finance. With over 30 years of legal experience - 20 of those deeply focused on infrastructure finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and capital markets - Fola brings unmatched depth and clarity to every transaction she leads.

Her fingerprints are on some of Nigeria’s most significant deals, from billion-dollar sovereign loan agreements and telecom restructures to landmark infrastructure and privatization projects. She has advised global players like Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and GuarantCo, as well as state and federal governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), and private investors. Whether it’s complex M&A, real estate finance, or capital market transactions like bonds, Eurobonds, or private placements, Fola’s strength lies in translating legal complexity into practical, strategic outcomes.

She is a highly sought-after advisor for cross-border M&A and private equity transactions and has been instrumental in both national and sub-national project finance and infrastructure development. Notably, she advised on the EMTS (Etisalat) debt restructuring - a deal that was shortlisted for IFLR’s inaugural Sub-Saharan Africa Award - and on the Lagos State Government’s N500 billion bond issuance program.

Clients turn to Fola not only for her technical excellence but also for her rare ability to partner with them through their business journey. As one client put it, ‘’Folasade goes beyond the call of duty - she is more than a legal adviser; she is a real partner to the business.” Chambers Global describes her as “a very hands-on lawyer – she gets involved in transactions and is very experienced.”

Fola is a key player in shaping Nigeria’s evolving legal and regulatory framework. She was deeply involved in the reform of several landmark laws, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, and the Business Facilitation (Omnibus) Act 2023. Her influence extends beyond the boardroom and into national policy, having worked closely with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to drive legislative reform that promotes ease of doing business in Nigeria.

As a registered Sponsored Individual with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Fola has also served on the SEC’s Capital Markets Committee (Bonds Sub-Committee) and is a respected member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN).

Recognized consistently by leading legal directories such as Chambers, IFLR1000, and Who’s Who Legal, she was named an IFLR1000 Women Leader in 2022 and won the International Law Office Client Choice Award for M&A in Nigeria in 2017.

Beyond her legal expertise, Fola is a visionary leader known for her warmth, collaborative spirit, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of lawyers. She is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion and is passionate about creating workplaces where people can thrive.

Folasade Olusanya is not just a lawyer – she is a strategist, a dealmaker, a reformer, and a trusted partner in shaping Nigeria’s legal and economic future.