Our Expertise

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

We focus on corporate, commercial and constitutional litigation; tribunal and arbitration in trial and appellate courts.

We also major in corporate dispute resolution such as; Maritime, Aviation, Election petition, Debt recovery, Telecommunication, Banking and general commercial dispute.

We apply the ADR method best suited to the client's interests.

Tax Practice

Tax practice remains a corner stone sectpr of our practice at STONEWATERS. We deal with cases involving rights/obligations, decisions and policies of Federal, State and Local governments.

We Advice corporate clients on tax liability, tax implications of fiscal budgets, optimum tax structures for huge projects, tax implication on foreign investments and hiring of expatriates.

We currently edit the Federal Tax Law Report in Nigeria with the authority of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and are actively involved in the Tax Appeal Tribunal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Maritime

At Stonewaters, we empower businesses, investors, and stakeholders in the maritime sector with legal solutions that align with Nigeria’s regulatory frameworks and global best practices.

Our services rendered in this sector include:

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing
Ship Transactions & Finance
Operational Advisory & Dispute Resolution
Institutional Collaboration
Maritime Employment Contracts, Drafting crew agreements, resolving labor disputes, and ensuring compliance with the
Warehouse & Equipment leasing

We are our client’s trusted partner in navigating Nigeria’s dynamic maritime landscape. Let us safeguard your voyage.

Banking and Finance

We specialize in providing bespoke legal services to the banking and financial sector. With our grounded expertise in Nigeria’s regulatory landscape and global financial trends, we deliver strategic, compliant, and innovative solutions to empower financial institutions in achieving operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Our core service offerings include:

1. Regulatory Compliance & Advisory

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Compliance, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Compliance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Compliance: Advisory for banks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), including disclosure obligations, corporate governance, and capital market regulations.

2. Licensing & Approvals

Bank License Acquisition: End-to-end support for obtaining banking licenses (regional, national, or international), including feasibility studies, documentation, and liaison with the CBN.

Fintech & Microfinance Licensing: Advisory for digital banking, payment service providers, and microfinance institutions.

3. Financial Transactions & Structuring

-Credit Swaps & Securitisation: Legal structuring of derivative instruments, asset-backed securities, and risk-sharing frameworks.

-Legal Mortgages & Collateral Management: Drafting, registration, and enforcement of security documents for loan transactions.

4. Debt Management, Restructuring and Recovery

Debt Recovery & Asset Management: Strategies for non-performing loans (NPLs), enforcement of security interests, and collaboration with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Debt Restructuring: Negotiation of workout agreements, creditor arrangements, and insolvency advisory.

Oil and Gas

Our firm specializes in providing tailored legal solutions to Oil and Gas companies, public institutions and private entities navigating Nigeria’s dynamic petroleum sector. Leveraging deep local expertise and global standards, we address complex regulatory, transactional and compliance challenges.

We empower clients to thrive in Nigeria’s evolving petroleum landscape through strategic compliant and innovative legal solutions.

Services we offer for Oil and Gas Companies include:

Regulatory Compliance Guidance on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, NUPRC/NMDPRA regulations and environmental standards (NESREA, ESG).
Transactions and Contracts
Dispute Resolution
Local Content Compliance: Adherence to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.

Services for Public entities include: Policy and legislation, Government Negotiataions, Anti-corruption &Governance.

Services for Private Entities include: Corporate Transactions, Market Entry &Compliance and Risk Management

Power and Energy

Our clients thrive comfortably in Nigeria’s evolving power and energy landscape through our:

Regulatory and Compliance Advisory,
Project Development and Financing services,
Dispute Resolution and Litigation services.,
Corporate and Commercial Services, Envrionmental and Sustainability Compliance,
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) and hybrid energy solutions,
Tax and Fiscal Incentives,
Renewable Energy & Emerging Technologies
Local Content Compliance
Government Relations ans Advocacy.

Aviation

With our deep understanding of both local regulations and international aviation standards, we provide legal solutions to airlines, lessors, lessees, and aviation stakeholders. Our expertise spans transactional, regulatory, and compliance matters, ensuring clients operate seamlessly within Nigeria’s aviation landscape.

Our services include:

Aircraft Lease Agreements.
Regulatory Compliance & Agency Engagement.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation.
Corporate Aviation Transactions.
Assisting with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and financing structures specific to aviation entities, ensuring regulatory and commercial viability.

We are proficient in Nigerian aviation laws (e.g., Civil Aviation Act 2022) and international frameworks (ICAO, IATA).

We offer proactive guidance to preempt compliance challenges and optimize operational approvals. Our clients can trust us to elevate their aviation operations with our strategic legal partnership.

Foreign Direct Investment

STONEWATERS offers client-specific legal and advisory services to foreign investors navigating Nigeria's dynamic market, ensuring compliance, strategic advantages, and operational efficiency.

Our expertise spans critical areas:

Regulatory Compliance.
Certificates of Capital Importation (CCI).
Investment Structuring for Tax Optimization.
Business Permits & Licenses.
Expatriate Quota Management.
Tax Holiday Facilitation.
Land Acquisition Support.
Local Labour & Employment Compliance.
Funds Repatriation.
Guidance on CBN forex policies and documentation.
Risk Mitigation.
Advisory on political risk, local partnerships, and regulatory changes.
Ongoing Support:such as Compliance monitoring and strategic updates for sustained success.

STONEWATERS transforms regulatory complexity into competitive advantage. Our firm knowledge of Nigerian laws, proactive approach to bureaucratic hurdles, and strategic structuring ensures foreign investors achieve compliance, profitability, and long-term growth in Africa’s largest economy.

Telecommunications

We guide our clients through the complexities of investing in Nigeria’s rapidly growing Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications sectors. With deep expertise in local regulations, market dynamics, and cross-sector integration, STONEWATERS ensures seamless market entry, operational efficiency, and compliance for international investors.

Our core services include

Telecommunications Licensing.
Interconnectivity Contracts .
Cell Site Installation & Management.
Technology Integration & Management.
Regulatory Compliance.
Investment Structuring & Tax Optimization.
Land Acquisition & Real Estate Advisory.
Labor & Employment Compliance.

We empower both local and foreign investors to capitalize on Nigeria’s IT and telecommunications potential while minimizing risks. By offering end-to-end solutions—from licensing and tax optimisation to workforce management, we position ourselves as an indispensable partner for sustainable, profitable investments in Africa’s largest economy.

Agriculture

Our specialized legal and advisory services are tailored to investors and enterprises in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, focusing on large-scale farming, fisheries, and poultry development. Our expertise ensures clients navigate regulatory, fiscal, and operational challenges while maximizing investment benefits.

Some of our services include:

Regulatory Compliance Advisory.
Investment Structuring & Tax Optimization.
Land Acquisition & Title Management.
Local Labor & Employment Compliance.
Sector-Specific Advisory.