FOLAKE ELIAS-ADEBOWALE

PARTNER

Folake Elias-Adebowale is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s M&A, Private Equity & Venture Capital, and Oil and Gas teams.  Her specialisations include cross-border and domestic equity and asset investments, divestments, mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring and restructuring, joint venturesstrategic alliances, fund advisory, and compliance matters.   

She advises financial, operational, and other sponsors, investors, funds, fund managers, and corporates, including multinationals and conglomerates, organizations, and other clients on diverse matters and transactions in agriculture, agro-allied, brewery, construction, digital payments, consumer, energy (including renewables), energy servicesfinancial services, FinTech, FMCG, food and beverage, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, reinsurance, and travel sectors, among others. 

Folake’s regulatory advocacy work includes participating on the board of the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Nigeria (PEVCA) and on the legal and regulatory committeeof the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) legal and the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).  She serves on a joint committee established by PEVCA and the Securities and Exchange Commission that focuses on the regulation of private equity and venture capital in Nigeria.   

She headed teams that produced a social impact investment mapping report for the Impact Investors’ Foundation and various parastatals; headed a Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment private equity and venture capital development initiative, and assisted with a state initiative to review and prepare draft legislation for the downstream gas sector among other regulatory advocacy initiatives.    

Folake is ranked by the Chambers Global Guide for Corporate/M&A and Private Equity and is also ranked for Oil & Gas; Chambers FinTech Legal Guide for FinTech Investment and Venture Capital advisory; the International Financial Law Review (IFLR1000) for M&A, Project Finance, and Restructuring; the Legal500 for Commercial, Corporate, and M&A and rated a Leading Individual for Energy and Natural Resources; and by Who’s Who Legal Global Guide (M&A and Governance) and Who’s Who Legal Guide (Nigeria) respectively for her M&A and Governance, Energy, Natural Resources & Mining, Project Finance, and Capital Markets (Private Equity) work.   She is commended by TheLawyer’s Africa Elite Private Equity Report, has been named an IFLR1000 Woman Leader and is regarded as one of BusinessDay Nigeria’s Top 20 Outstanding Nigerian Women in Business Law  

Folake serves as a non-executive director on company and association boards.  She authors articles and updates makes presentations and facilitate training on private equity, M&A, oil and gas, investment, employment, regulatory and compliance matters and on business writing.  Her thought leadership pieces have been published by Chambers Global Practice Guides, The Law Review, the IFLR1000, the ICLG, Mondaq, Lexology, the International Law Office, GPCA, AVCA, Into Africa, Centaur, and Afriwise, among others.

CAREER
2007Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
2002Senior Associate, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie
1995Attachment, G. Elias & Co
1992 Placement, Field Fisher Waterhouse Solicitors, London
1991 Research Assistant, International Legal Department, Midland Montagu (later Hong Kong Fir)
Bank, London
1991Research Assistant, the Law Commission of England & Wales
1991Mini Pupillage, 4, Stone Buildings Chambers, Lincoln’s Inn
1991Mini Pupillage, 4, Essex Court Chambers, Lincoln’s Inn
QUALIFICATIONS
1996BL, Nigerian Law School
1993LL.M, University College, London
1992BA, (Jurisprudence), Somerville College, Oxford University
1997MA (Honoris Causa) Oxford University
BAR ADMISSIONS
1996Nigeria
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Nigerian Bar Association

African Venture Capital Association’s Legal & Regulatory Committee Bulletin

November 17, 2023

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Chambers Energy: Oil & Gas 2023 (Trends & Developments): Nigeria

August 25, 2023

UUBO is pleased to have contributed the Nigeria chapter of the Energy: Oil &...

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Chambers Global Practice Guide: Doing Business in Nigeria 2023 -Trends and Developments

August 25, 2023

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie is pleased to have contributed the Doing Business in Nigeria...

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Oil & Gas Industry Alert: NMDPRA Grant of Crude Export Terminal and Licences – Overview and Significance

June 28, 2023

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MINISTERIAL REGULATIONS ON NIGERIAN CONTENT: An Overview of the Regulation for the Further Growth of Indigenous Capacity

February 24, 2023

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MINISTERIAL REGULATIONS – NIGERIAN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY CONTENT DEVELOPMENT ACT – An Overview of the Regulations for the Establishment of Operations in Nigeria

February 23, 2023

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UUBO SYNOPSIS – MINISTERIAL REGULATIONS ON NIGERIAN CONTENT: An Overview of the Ministerial Regulations for Training in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry

February 22, 2023

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UUBO SYNOPSIS – MINISTERIAL REGULATIONS ON NIGERIAN CONTENT: An Overview of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Research and Development Regulation

February 19, 2023

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UUBO SYNOPSIS – MINISTERIAL REGULATIONS ON NIGERIAN CONTENT: An Overview of the Regulation for the Registration of Oil & Gas Professionals with Nigerian Professional Bodies

February 17, 2023

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IFLR Africa Market Makers Report

August 16, 2022

UUBO is pleased to have contributed the Nigerian chapter of the 2022 edition of...

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Chambers and Partners Global Practice Guides: Energy: Oil & Gas 2022 Nigeria: Trends & Developments

August 16, 2022

Our partner, Folake Elias-Adebowale, Senior Associate, Mesuabari Mene-Josiah, and, Associate, Idorenyin Umoh of our...

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African Private Equity And Venture Capital Association (Avca) Activity Report 2022

April 26, 2022

Members of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie’s Private Equity and Venture Capital and Tax teams, Folake Elias-Adebowale, Temiloluwa Olowu, Kelechi...

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Bowmans Report: M&A in Africa. Current Trends, 2022

March 23, 2022

We are pleased to have contributed on Nigerian developments to the Bowmans (Law Firm)’s Report...

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7th Edition of GLG Group UK’s International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLGICLG) Private Equity 2021

October 22, 2021

Our partners, Folake Elias-Adebowale and Christine Okokon Sijuwade together with our associate, Bond Eke-Opara...

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Nigeria: Private Equity Laws and Regulations 2020

September 18, 2020

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Nigeria Rethinks Local Content: The Senate’s Nigerian Oil And Gas Content Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 (And How It Compares With The House Of Representatives’ Nigerian Content Development And Enforcement Bill 2019)

July 12, 2020

NIGERIA RETHINKS LOCAL CONTENT: THE SENATE’S NIGERIAN OIL AND GAS CONTENT DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL...

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Nigeria Rethinks Local Content: The Senate’s Nigerian Oil And Gas Content Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 (And How It Compares With The House Of Representatives’ Nigerian Content Development And Enforcement Bill 2019)

July 12, 2020

Not for the first time in the history of local content lawmaking in Nigeria,...

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AVCA Legal & Regulatory Bulletin

May 23, 2020

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Nigeria Chapter Updates – Lexology Navigator – Oil and Gas

August 12, 2019

Our Oil and Gas team partner, Folake Elias-Adebowale and associates, Agbolade M. Adeyemi and...

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Nigeria chapter of the International Comparative Legal Guide to: Private Equity 2018

July 27, 2018

Folake Elias-Adebowale (Partner), Christine Sijuwade (Managing Associate), Edidem Basiekanem (Associate) and Chiedu Ogbuoji (Associate)...

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Regulation of Private Equity in West Africa’s Emerging Trends

February 26, 2018

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Private Equity in Nigeria Market and Regulatory Overview

February 26, 2018

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Recent Activities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry

February 26, 2018

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UUBO advises Phatisa Food Fund II on its investment in Manipal International Holdings

January 31, 2023

UUBO congratulates African Private Equity fund manager, Phatisa, and India-based printing, packaging, and technology...

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Deal Announcement: OSM Maritime Group and Thome Group

January 23, 2023

Leading vessel management and maritime services providers, OSM Maritime Group and Thome Group, have...

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UUBO Advises LeapFrog on investment in Interswitch

May 17, 2022

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie is pleased to have advised LeapFrog Investments on its strategic investment, with Tana Africa...

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UUBO Advices On Nigerian elements Of General Atlantic’s Beyondnetzero-Led $260m Series D Funding Of Sun King

May 13, 2022

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie is pleased to have advised on the Nigerian elements of...

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UUBO Teams Advise on Consolidation and Listing of BUA Foods Plc

May 10, 2022

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie’s Capital Markets team and its Mergers & Acquisitions team have...

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UUBO Advises Seplat Energy Plc on its Acquisition of Exxon Mobil’s Offshore Shallow Water Business in Nigeria

February 25, 2022

We are delighted to have advised Seplat Energy Plc on this landmark transaction. The...

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UUBO Advises Lead Investor on Series A Investment Round in Bamboo Global Inc

January 4, 2022

We are pleased to have advised on the Nigerian elements of a recent Series...

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UUBO Team Advises On Proposed Baxi/ Capricorn Digital Limited Buyout By Mfs Africa

September 12, 2021

We are pleased to have advised Capricorn Digital Limited, one of Nigeria’s largest digital...

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Uubo Team Advises Investor on Flutterwave Series-C Round

March 12, 2021

We are pleased to have advised on the Nigerian elements of Flutterwave’s $170 Million Series-C...

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Contact details

What the market says…

"Extremely professional and hard-working with a strong focus on delivering a high-quality work product even under challenging circumstances and tight deadlines."

- Chambers Fintech

 

I was impressed by Folake Elias-Adebowale’s robust knowledge of Nigerian law and by the general practice’s knowledge of the industry. 

- Legal 500

 

Unlike other practitioners I have encountered in the market, the negotiations were focused on key matters and so saved all parties time and allowed for the closing of the deal in record time.

- Legal 500

 

Mrs. Adebowale created different scenarios for our company in respect of the transaction and recommended the most efficient and cost-effective step.

- Legal 500

 

Mrs. Folake Elias-Adebowale is a seasoned lawyer with several years of legal practice. Her knowledge of M&A is really commendable, and this enabled her to lead the transaction seamlessly. 

- Legal 500

 

"Folake Adebowale has an outstanding intellect and pragmatic approach."

- Legal500

 

“Folake Elias-Adebowale distinguishes herself in the market with her outstanding track record on project financing matters within the energy, manufacturing and industrial sectors.”

- WWL

 

“Folake Elias-Adebowale earns impressive endorsements from peers and clients, who describe her as "a well-known M&A lawyer with many years of experience".”

- WWL

 

“Folake Elias-Adebowale is a distinguished practitioner who wins praise from market commentators for her specialist work on oil and gas matters.”

- WWL

 

"Folake is the partner who manages all matters that I bring to UUBO. She does not always deliver the work but she is great at finding the right people. She is a very sophisticated advisor who listens to her clients and finds practical solutions."

- IFLR1000

 

''...an expert in cross-border upstream and downstream petroleum investments and joint ventures''           

- The Legal500

 

"Extremely strong in her practice area, might be the best in Nigeria for finance and investment."

- IFLR1000

"She keeps matters on time and budget and works with me if I have any issues. We have a great relationship and I value her candor. I have the utmost faith her work, and she is a person of integrity."

- IFLR1000

 

 

"Personable, effective and practical."

- IFLR1000

 

"Folake is an M&A star. She's very knowledgeable and understands her market in and out."

- IFLR1000

''...an exceptional attorney with excellent commercial advice that helped us significantly in navigating the Nigeria venture capital industry"

- Chambers Global FinTech Legal Guide

 

"…she is dedicated to client service, relentless in her attention to detail, and has a pragmatic approach. I found her extremely supportive."   

- Chambers Global Guide Corporate/Commercial

‘’…a wealth of experience in project financing, investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, and upstream and downstream oil and gas mandates. She also provides regulatory advice. She is extremely clever."   

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

 

"Folake is an M&A star. She's very knowledgeable and understands her market in and out." 

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

"Folake Elias Adebowale is co-head of the private equity team and advises on a number of cross-border transactions, including acquisitions, compliance and project financing."

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

 

 

"One client highlighted her as "a diligent, pragmatic, solutions-driven lawyer.

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

 

"Regarded by sources as "a lawyer with deep experience in mergers and acquisitions," 

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

"Folake Elias-Adebowale is notably involved in international work. Interviewees praise her "expertise displayed on all energy-related corporate/commercial legal advisory work."

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

 

"She is a popular choice thanks to her "good judgement and ability to cut across many different practice areas."

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

 

"One source stated that she has a "very good understanding of Nigerian requirements and can translate them so that we can use them commercially and in practice."

- Chambers Global Guide: Projects and Energy

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