Who will own the business, and what is each person contributing?
Money, time, existing customers and intellectual property should not be treated as interchangeable without discussion.
LEGAL SUPPORT
FOR WHAT’S NEXT.
BUSINESS & CORPORATE · NIGERIA
Company Formation and Registration Lawyers in Nigeria
Plan your company ownership, formation documents and next legal priorities. Speak with Laude about setting up a business in Nigeria.
Lagos, NigeriaWorking with local and international clients.
WHAT WE HELP WITH
Company Formation: how we help.
A focused scope built around your plans, the documents involved and the decisions that need to be made.
Ownership planning
Consider the intended owners, their contributions and how the structure should accommodate the business’s plans.
Formation documentation
Prepare or review the information and documents needed for the agreed formation work, with clear responsibilities for supplying details.
Founder and shareholder arrangements
Identify agreements needed between the people building or investing in the business, beyond the formation documents themselves.
Post-formation legal priorities
Create a practical list of agreements, records and activity-specific legal questions to address as the company begins operating.
WHEN YOU NEED A LAWYER
Common situations we support.
A decision is approaching
You are starting a new business or moving an existing venture into a company structure.
A relationship is changing
An owner, investor or commercial partner proposes new terms. Understand how those terms fit the company’s existing commitments.
A decision needs a clear record
The people involved have reached an understanding but the documents, authority or responsibilities still need to be resolved.
There are competing priorities
Price, control, timing and risk point in different directions. A focused legal review helps identify the decisions you need to make.
THE DETAIL BEHIND THE DECISION
Understand the bigger picture.
Setting up a company is an opportunity to make ownership and operating arrangements clear from the beginning. The name and formation documents are only part of that work. Founders may also need to address contributions, ownership of pre-existing work, decision-making and future investment. We help connect the proposed structure with the business model, then identify the documentation and follow-up work relevant to that plan.
Will the company need outside investment or operate a regulated activity?
Those plans can affect the questions to resolve before settling on the structure.
A CLEAR AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
How the process works.
A straightforward process designed to give you clarity, practical advice and a considered next step.
- 1
Define the matter
We start with your objectives and the circumstances behind your company formation enquiry. The firm confirms whether it can assist and agrees scope and fees.
- 2
Review the information
We consider the relevant records and questions, including ownership planning and formation documentation where within scope.
- 3
Explain the decisions
We discuss findings, missing information and the options available. You can ask questions before deciding how you want to proceed.
- 4
Carry out the agreed work
We prepare documents, advise, negotiate or coordinate the steps included in the engagement, with outstanding responsibilities made clear.
PREPARE FOR A USEFUL CONVERSATION
What to have ready.
Prepare the proposed activities, intended owners and any plans for outside investment.
- Proposed business activities and trading names
- Details of proposed owners and management
- Contributions and intended ownership proportions
- Plans for funding, hiring and launch
You do not need every document to make an enquiry. Tell us what is available and what is missing. Wait for our team to confirm the appropriate channel before sending sensitive material.
OUR PEOPLE
Lawyers who understand
the commercial context.
Good advice starts with understanding your objectives and the decisions ahead. The firm will identify the appropriate support once it has assessed your enquiry.
Meet our team
Founder Agreements
Document how co-founders share ownership, contribute to the business and handle decisions or departures.
Explore our approach →Shareholder Agreements
Agree how ownership, decisions, investment and exits will work before a disagreement puts the business under pressure.
Explore our expertise →Different
perspectives.
A stronger you.
About our firm →FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions,
answered.
Does formation cover every permission needed to trade?
Formation and activity-specific permissions are separate questions. Describe what the business will do so we can assess which additional legal or regulatory work may be relevant.
Can you assist founders who are outside Nigeria?
Tell us where the proposed owners are based and how the business will operate. We will discuss the information, structure and coordination needed for the proposed setup.
Should co-founders have a separate agreement?
A separate agreement can address matters such as contributions, roles and departures in more detail. Whether one is appropriate depends on the ownership arrangements and the founders’ plans.
What should I prepare for the first discussion?
Prepare the proposed activities, intended owners and any plans for outside investment. Start with an outline; the team will confirm a suitable channel before requesting sensitive documents.
How are scope, fees and timing agreed?
The work depends on the documents, complexity and decisions involved. We discuss the proposed scope, fees and timing before beginning. Work outside the agreed scope is discussed separately; no fixed fee or completion date is promised here.
Does an enquiry mean the firm is acting for me?
No. The firm must assess the enquiry, check whether it can accept instructions and confirm engagement. Please do not send highly confidential information or assume a deadline has been accepted before that confirmation.
Let’s discuss your next step.
Speak with our team about your legal needs.