Mergers and Acquisitions in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector

Nigeria’s oil and gas Mergers & Acquisitions market is subject to increasingly rigorous regulatory oversight as competition law assumes a more prominent role alongside sector-specific approvals.

While transaction parties often focus on requirements under the Petroleum Industry Act, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act imposes separate obligations that can significantly affect deal timelines and execution.

Authored by TEMPLARS Partner, Zelda Akindele, and Senior Associate, Adebimpe MacGregor, this article examines the growing risk of gun-jumping in Nigerian oil and gas transactions and the regulatory consequences of premature information sharing, operational coordination or business integration before clearance is obtained.

The authors explore practical safeguards, including competition protocols, clean teams and other deal structuring mechanisms, to help parties manage due diligence and transaction planning while remaining compliant with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA), and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA).

View publication