Professor Konyinsola Ajayi was chosen by the IJGlobal independent panel of judges to win the Outstanding Individual award for “a lifetime of significant achievements in multiple fields with clear and lasting impact”.

The judges agreed that Prof Ajayi was “clearly a leader in his market” and that he had a “broad range of impressive accolades demonstrating a career with impact on a great many levels”.

One of the judges said: “This is an outstanding submission setting out the achievements by Prof Ajayi for making a real difference and impact in the Nigerian project finance market.”

Yet another judge said: “This is a genuinely illustrious career spanning 4 decades, albeit geographically limited. His commitment to elevating African legal practice on the global stage is truly impressive. Prof Ajayi has led closings on innovative transactions but also drafted frameworks and Acts to push forward infra financing in Nigeria.”

Prof Ajayi currently serves as senior partner at Olaniwun Ajayi, a leading law firm in Nigeria and a pioneering African legal practice with a global footprint.

Under his stewardship, the firm has grown into a multi-jurisdictional powerhouse with offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Douala and London.

His leadership has been instrumental in positioning the firm as a trusted adviser on some of the most transformative projects across Africa.

As senior partner, Prof Ajayi oversees the firm’s strategic direction, ensuring its alignment with global best practices. He has spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives, including the establishment of Olaniwun Ajayi’s London office, the first full-fledged, SRA-regulated Nigerian law firm abroad. This expansion underscores his commitment to elevating African legal practice on the global stage.

Prof Ajayi’s influence extends beyond the firm. He is an independent non-executive director at Dangote Group, Africa’s largest cement producer, and a trusted adviser to leading international conglomerates.

Over a career spanning more than 4 decades, Prof Ajayi has shaped Nigerian legal and economic frameworks, driving innovation across various sectors.

One of his most notable contributions is in the field of economic and financial reforms where he drafted Nigeria’s Asset Management Corporation Act, which proved to be pivotal during the banking crisis to stabilise the financial sector and recover non-performing loans.

He advised on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s reformation of banking regulations, including the establishment of bridge banks and monoline licenses.

On the transaction front, he played a key role on structuring the NGN 4.7 trillion AMCON debt issuance programme, the largest financial transaction in Nigeria’s history.

Prof Ajayi acted for GTBank on its groundbreaking capital market transaction – the $750 million global depositary receipt listing, the first by a Nigerian company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

He led advisory roles in Airtel Africa’s $750 million global IPO and Nigeria’s first diaspora bond issuance.

Meanwhile on the legal frameworks for energy and infrastructure, Prof Ajayi drafted the NLNG Act, enabling Nigeria’s emergence as a global LNG leader. He went on to advise on financing for the NLNG Train 7 project, the largest LNG financing in Africa. And he is guiding the transition of NNPC to NNPC Limited under the Petroleum Industry Act, a landmark corporatisation in the energy sector.