TEAM
Ayuli Jemide (AJ) is a model contrarian who finds excitement in championing concepts that go against the grain. He is the founder and lead Partner of DETAIL Commercial Solicitors, Nigeria’s first commercial solicitors’ firm to specialize exclusively in non-court room practice. Ayuli was named the “Best Lawyer, Nigeria, 2013’’ by World Finance. He has led notable transactions including: Beloxxi Industries in an 80m USD equity raise, Lagos State Blue Line Railway; UPDC Plc N30 billion REITS; Heineken BV’s purchase of 5 breweries in Nigeria; 2nd Niger Bridge Design Build Operate & Transfer; Ladol/Samsung JV for Total’s Egina FPSO integration.
He is a regular public speaker at various fora including the Lagos Business School, Centre for Infrastructure, Policy, Regulation and Advancement (CIPRA). He is the writer of several newspaper columns and articles and the author of the book, “LISTENEVERYHOW- How Negotiations Work”. Oscar N. Onyema, OON – Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange stated that “It is profound in its message”. Other readers commended the book as being “Highly recommended as a guide to everyday professional and personal life” and “reflective of the insights that make the difference in negotiations”.
In his spare time, AJ enjoys kayaking, photography, reading, playing golf, tennis and swimming.
Ayuli Jemide is a highly regarded transactional lawyer with notable experience in energy and infrastructure. Clients praise his “strong desire to deliver on the job” and “excellent customer service skill.”
Ayuli Jemide leverages his considerable experience to advise on a range of projects with a strong practice focus on PPP, project financing and oil and gas issues. Sources say he is “hard-working and shows commitment to quality,” highlighting his “very effective leadership.”
Ayuli Jemide is a key contact at the firm.
Bar Qualification
- Admitted to the Nigerian Bar, 1988
Education
- LLB: University of Benin, Nigeria, 1987
- LLM: Northwestern University – Chicago, USA, 2007
- Post Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, Spain, 2007
- Certified Public Private Partnership Specialist, Institute for Public Private Partnerships – Washington DC, USA, 2009
Practice Areas
- Energy, Infrastructure & Power
- Public Private Partnerships
- Real Estate & Construction
- Corporate & Commercial
- Finance & Capital Markets
Associations & Boards
- Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law
- Independent Director, Construction Kaiser Limited
- President IE Business School, Nigeria Alumni Board
- Nigerian Advisory Board Member, Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc
- Council Member, Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law
- Board Chair, Ebola Containment Trust Fund (ECTF)
- FCN Africa, Board of Recommendation
- Past President, Nigerian Swiss Chamber of Commerce
- Past Non-Executive Director, Central Bank of Nigeria
- Past Board Member, West African Glass Industry Plc
- Past Chairman Conference Planning Committee, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law 9th Annual Conference, 2015
Transactions
- Advising the Federal Ministry of Works on the Design, Build, Finance, Maintain, Operate and Transfer Arrangement for the Second Niger Bridge valued at N162 Billion on a PPP basis.
- Advised the Infrastructure Bank on the N170 billion project financing for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Nigeria’s first Federal Toll road to reach financial close on tranche 1 financing.
- Advised Sona Brewery Group in its sale of 5 regional breweries to Heineken International BV, increasing Heineken’s capacity by 3.7 million hectolitres. This has been the largest brewery M&A in Nigeria to date.
- Advised Beloxxi, a biscuit manufacturing company on an $80 million investment from a consortium of indigenous and offshore private equity funds.
- Advised Aiteo E&P Company Ltd as buyers/ borrowers’ counsel on the $3 billion sale of Oil Mining Lease No. 29, Shell’s second largest asset worldwide.
- Advised Central Bank of Nigeria on the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Facility of $1.3 billion aimed at settling outstanding payments due to market participants and service providers and legacy gas debts owed to gas suppliers.