Nigeria updates
Arbitration & ADR
Contributed by ǼLEXWill requirement for use of NIN in arbitration proceedings affect validity of arbitration?
- Nigeria
- March 01 2018
The National Identity Management Commission recently issued the Mandatory Use of the National Identification Number Regulations 2017, under which "the filing and registration of criminal and civil actions in courts or other arbitration processes" is now included in the list of transactions that require the use of a national identity number. Although this requirement is legitimate, how it will be enforced in private transactions and the effects of non-compliance on such transactions remain unclear.
Arbitrator's reformulation of issues agreed by parties does not constitute misconduct
- Nigeria
- December 21 2017
The Federal High Court recently dismissed an application to set aside an arbitral tribunal's final award on the grounds that the tribunal had misconducted itself by reformulating the issues agreed by the parties to include a preliminary issue which was capable of removing the need to determine all of the issues presented by the parties. The court held that although a jurisdictional error is a variant of misconduct, it is only where a tribunal has acted without jurisdiction that its decision is liable to be set aside.
Court of Appeal confirms Tax Appeal Tribunal's jurisdiction to determine tax disputes
- Nigeria
- November 16 2017
The Court of Appeal recently held that the Tax Appeal Tribunal has jurisdiction to adjudicate tax-related disputes. The appellants in the case successfully argued that the tribunal's jurisdiction to determine tax disputes does not encroach on the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, as bringing tax appeals before the tribunal is merely a condition precedent to approaching the court. Further, the tribunal's decisions can be reviewed and quashed by the court.
Aviation
Contributed by George Etomi & PartnersAviation security and safety standards
- Nigeria
- May 30 2018
It is important that the safety and security standards adopted in the Nigerian aviation sector be given proper attention to ensure the protection and safeguarding of all stakeholders against acts of unlawful interference or other threats. However, aviation security in Nigeria is fraught with challenges and this has brought about recent deliberations from the government, regulators, the aviation industry and the public.
Plans in motion to re-establish national airline: issues arising
- Nigeria
- May 23 2018
In May 2017 the Federal Executive Council approved the allocation of N1.52 billion for the financing of preparatory steps towards, among other things, the reintroduction of a national airline. While this is commendable, the need for a national carrier cannot serve as the conclusive basis for a decision that will have adverse effects on national and economic planning. As such, the government must carefully consider and address the concerns regarding the re-establishment of a national airline.
Making Nigeria a travel hub
- Nigeria
- November 22 2017
The Nigerian aviation industry has the potential to contribute in excess of 5% to the nation's gross domestic product and support over 1 million jobs. Nigeria's recent achievements and Level 3 rating in the state safety programme implementation process have positioned the country to become a travel hub. However, the inherent challenges facing the industry must be addressed before this status can be achieved.
The case for developing a policy and regulatory framework for business aviation
- Nigeria
- September 27 2017
The Nigerian business aviation industry has the potential to expand significantly as the economy grows and diversifies, but some issues must be addressed in order to maximise results. As such, the business aviation industry needs an effective policy that will harness its potential and attract more foreign investment, as well as address safety and national security concerns.
Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 – an overview
- Nigeria
- August 16 2017
The Civil Aviation Regulations were first promulgated in 2006 in order to establish national requirements that align with the Civil Aviation Act 2006. The regulations were most recently amended in 2015, following a review by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority which aimed to align the regulations with recent amendments to the standard and recommended practices contained in the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and industry observations.
Banking
Recent banking developments and 2017's economic outlook
- Nigeria
- April 14 2017
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started 2017 on a bullish note by overseeing the valuation of the naira. In addition, the CBN has intervened in the foreign exchange market in an effort to narrow the significant gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate. This seems to be working, but it remains to be seen how sustainable it will be in the long term.
Central Bank of Nigeria floats naira
- Nigeria
- September 16 2016
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently lifted its peg on the naira. Despite the CBN's decision to float the naira, which in effect is a devaluation, the foreign exchange market has experienced a high rate of volatility. As such, it remains to be seen whether the effective devaluation of the naira was the right move.
Corporate Finance/M&A
Impact of industrialisation on foreign investment
- Nigeria
- August 09 2017
In order to revolutionise its economy, Nigeria must formulate policies dedicated to industrial growth, as such growth can attract foreign investment. It is hoped that the existing wave of industrialisation in Nigeria will be accompanied by a political will to implement clearly defined policies to industrialise the country and increase the number of M&A transactions.
Effect of instability on M&A investments
- Nigeria
- March 01 2017
Developing countries rely heavily on foreign direct investment to promote their economies. However, the period of unrest facing many emerging economies, including Nigeria, is a cause for concern. This instability has had far-reaching effects on Nigeria's emerging economy, especially in the context of M&A transactions. Foreign investors have been reluctant to participate in a number of potential M&A activities, undoubtedly because of the costs associated with investing in an unstable country.
Current M&A trends and predictions
- Nigeria
- October 26 2016
M&A activity in Nigeria declined in 2015, with a 22% drop in the number of deals and a 65% drop in the overall value of deals. This decline was due to regulatory uncertainty, falling oil prices and the volatility of the naira, as well as uncertainty surrounding the 2015 general election, which resulted in investor caution. It is hoped that the government will now aggressively enforce the drive for economic diversification, thus boosting the trend for M&A transactions.
Squeeze-out regime explained
- Nigeria
- July 20 2016
'Squeeze-out' is a right that entitles a majority shareholder with at least 90% of the shares or voting rights in a company to acquire the remaining shares or voting rights compulsorily, and allows minority shareholders to exit the company by selling their shares to the majority shareholder. However, the Nigerian squeeze-out regime remains largely untested in practice.
Energy & Natural Resources
Contributed by Streamsowers & KöhnNew oil producing states following discovery of deposits
- Nigeria
- June 18 2018
The House of Representatives recently considered a motion to declare Kogi, Enugu and Anambra oil producing states following the discovery of oil and gas deposits in commercial quantities. It subsequently urged the federal government to hold bids for oil prospecting and mining of the discoveries and declare the states oil producing states.
Proposed oil spill amendment bill will significantly affect oil and gas industry
- Nigeria
- May 21 2018
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 recently underwent its second reading. If passed in its existing form, the bill will have a significant effect on the operations of the oil and gas industry. For example, the bill makes it mandatory for oil industry operators in Nigeria to subscribe to and be bona fide members of Clean Nigeria Associates and imposes a levy on oil companies calculated at 0.5% of their operations funds.
