Deputy Legal Manager

Key Responsibilities

Corporate and Advisory

· Support corporate governance, restructuring, and compliance across the company and its affiliates.

· Assist in due diligence, drafting, and negotiation of documents related to M&A, joint ventures, and reorganizations.

· Draft and review corporate documentation such as shareholder agreements, resolutions, and incorporation filings.

· Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to both Free Zone and Customs Territory operations.

Contracts and Commercial Review

· Draft, review, and negotiate a range of corporate and commercial contracts, including, EPC Contracts, PPAs, license and technology agreements and finance documents (e.g., loan agreements, security documents, guarantees).

· Work with internal teams to ensure contractual terms meet regulatory and commercial objectives.

· Support the development and use of standard legal templates and contract processes.

· Escalate high-risk issues to the Legal Manager and or Legal Director as needed.

Regulatory and Compliance (NEPZA and Customs Territory)

· Ensure compliance with all NEPZA regulations applicable within the Free Trade Zone, including permits, licenses, operational approvals, and reporting obligations.

· Oversee legal and regulatory compliance applicable in the Customs Territory, including obligations related to:

· Corporate governance and statutory filings (e.g., CAC)

· Taxation and financial reporting (e.g., FIRS).

· Coordinate and support responses to audits, inspections, and other engagements with regulators across both jurisdictions.

· Monitor regulatory developments and assess their implications for company operations, advising relevant departments as needed.

· Develop and implement internal compliance frameworks and policies aligned with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

· Monitor company-wide adherence to compliance standards, including operational, governance, and legal obligations across business units.

· Support internal reviews and assessments related to risk, compliance, and regulatory exposure.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

· Support litigation and dispute matters in collaboration with the Legal Manager, Legal Director and external counsel.

· Coordinate internal fact-finding, document review, and response preparation.

· Maintain litigation trackers and reporting systems.

· Support strategy development for pre-litigation and settlement processes.

Risk Management & Policy Development

· Identify and help mitigate legal and compliance risks related to operations in the Free Zone and Customs Territory.

· Support the drafting and review of legal, governance, and operational policies.

· Review contractual risk provisions and support the development of internal controls.

· Participate in compliance reviews and internal legal audits.

Stakeholder Management

· Coordinate legal and regulatory communications with internal departments and business leaders.

· Liaise with regulators , external counsel, and third parties as necessary.

· Represent the Legal Department in internal meetings and cross-functional projects as delegated.

· Promote legal awareness, compliance, and governance best practices across the company.

Qualifications and Experience

· Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (minimum 2:1 or upper credit preferred)

· Barrister-at-Law (B.L), qualified to practice in Nigeria

· Must be a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN),

· Minimum of 8 years post-call legal experience, with at least 3/4 years in a corporate/commercial legal setting.

· Experience in Free Trade Zone compliance under NEPZA is advantageous.

· Sound understanding of CAC and FIRS requirements

· Strong knowledge of commercial law, contracts, governance, and compliance frameworks.

· In-house experience in oil & gas, energy, or power sector is highly desirable

Key Skills and Competencies

· Advanced legal drafting and negotiation skills

· Strong organizational Skills

· Knowledge of Nigerian corporate law

· Knowledge of Free Trade Zone regulations or the ability to rapidly acquire a working understanding of the applicable legal and regulatory framework

· Experience in company secretarial responsibilities and corporate governance

· Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder engagement skills

· Commercial awareness and legal risk assessment ability

· High attention to detail and strong ethical standards

· Ability to manage responsibilities independently while contributing to a broader legal function

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₦750,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Are you a member of ICSAN?
• Do you have a deep understanding of Nigerian oil & gas, energy, and corporate law?
• Do you have strong negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills?
• Have you been called to the Nigerian bar?
• Do you have a minimum of 8 years post-call experience, with at least three years in a senior legal or managerial role at a top tier law firm ?
• Do you have a proven track record handling high-value complex transactions (M&A, project finance, oil & gas, power, capital markets?
• Do you have an LL.B (Hons) and B.L (Nigerian Law School). Minimum 2:1 or upper credit?