OBG 2019 Report On Nigeria’s Economy To Map Out Shifting Regulatory Landscape

• Stillwaters Law signs second MoU with Oxford Business Group

A forthcoming report by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) will highlight the overhaul earmarked for Nigeria’s regulatory framework, which forms part of the country’s broader reform programme.



The Report: Nigeria 2019 will shine a spotlight on the nation’s efforts to enhance its business environment, while providing essential information for investors on a broad range of issues that are integral to the decision-making process, such as the process for incorporating a new company, legislation governing property rights and details of the tax system.

There will be extensive coverage of the Intellectual Property (IP) law, which has become a topical issue in Nigeria and is widely recognised as in of need of an update. Other areas of focus will include the legislation and regulations governing tech startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

OBG’s report will also dissect the Company and Allied Matters Act and Land Use Act, both of which are likely to be of relevance to investors eyeing Nigeria’s investment opportunities.

Stillwaters Law has signed a second memorandum of understanding (MoU) with OBG for its forthcoming publication. Under the MoU, the firm’s representatives will help OBG to produce the Law Chapter of The Report: Nigeria 2019.

Commenting after the signing, Afamefuna Francis Nwokedi, Principal Counsel, Stillwaters Law, said he looked forward to teaming up with OBG to explore Nigeria’s changing legal landscape and bringing readers up to date on new amendments and others he hopes will follow. 

“The intellectual property framework in Nigeria urgently needs to be updated. This would significantly benefit Nigeria’s ranking in ease of doing business metrics,” he said. “Changes in the legal framework could align it with international best practices and have an impact across many industries, including oil and gas, technology, mining and life sciences.”

Welcoming Stillwaters Law on board once again, Rik Moors, OBG’s editorial manager in Nigeria, said he was delighted that the firm would be contributing to the 2019 report, which marks the Group’s 10th anniversary of operations in the country.

“Nigeria has taken a number of steps forward in its efforts to usher in the legislative reforms it recognises are needed to attract investors and galvanise the economy, although there is still more to do,” he said. “Stillwaters Law plays an important role in supporting businesses across the sectors, providing advice in key areas relating to corporate and commercial law. I’m thrilled that our team and ultimately, our subscribers, will benefit from its expertise and extensive local knowledge.”

The Report: Nigeria 2019 will mark the culmination of more than six months of field research by a team of analysts from Oxford Business Group. It will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments.

The publication will also contain contributions from leading representatives from the public and private sectors, including: Mohammed Bello, minister of the federal capital territory; Chief Tunde J. Afolabi, chairman and CEO of AMNI Petroleum; and Babatunde Fowler, executive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The Report: Nigeria 2019 will be produced with the NIPC and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Contributions will also be made by Stillwaters Law, Grant Thornton, FBNQuest Merchant Bank and Coronation Merchant Bank. It will be available online and in print. 

Oxford Business Group is a global research and consultancy company with a presence in over 30 countries, from Africa, the Middle East and Asia to the Americas. A distinctive and respected provider of on-the-ground intelligence on many of the world’s fastest growing markets, OBG has offices in London, Berlin, Dubai and Istanbul, and a network of local bureaus across the countries in which we operate.