Which decisions should a minority owner be able to influence?
Protection needs to be considered alongside the company’s ability to make everyday decisions.
LEGAL SUPPORT
FOR WHAT’S NEXT.
BUSINESS & CORPORATE · NIGERIA
Shareholder Agreement Lawyers in Nigeria
Clarify voting, share transfers, funding and exits. Laude helps business owners prepare and review shareholder agreements in Nigeria.
Lagos, NigeriaWorking with local and international clients.
WHAT WE HELP WITH
Shareholder Agreements: how we help.
A focused scope built around your plans, the documents involved and the decisions that need to be made.
Voting and reserved decisions
Identify decisions that need board approval, shareholder approval or a particular level of consent.
Share transfers
Consider restrictions, permitted transfers and the steps to follow when someone wants to sell an interest.
Funding obligations
Discuss whether owners are expected to provide further funding and what happens if their contributions differ.
Deadlock and exit arrangements
Plan how a serious disagreement, proposed exit or change in circumstances should be addressed.
WHEN YOU NEED A LAWYER
Common situations we support.
A decision is approaching
You are adding a shareholder or need to clarify the rights of existing owners.
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.
Shareholders can agree on the business idea while having different expectations about control, further funding or leaving the company. A shareholder agreement creates a place to resolve those expectations before they become a dispute. We help owners consider realistic scenarios, compare their proposed rights with the company documents and document how the relationship should work as the business develops.
What happens when an owner wants to leave or cannot meet a commitment?
Agreeing a process is easier when it is considered before a specific disagreement arises.
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 shareholder agreements 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 voting and reserved decisions and share transfers 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.
Bring the shareholding structure, existing constitutional documents and any investment terms.
- Current and proposed ownership table
- Company constitutional documents
- Existing investment or shareholder agreements
- Proposed voting, funding and exit arrangements
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 →Startup Funding & Investment
Get support to review and negotiate funding documents, understand investor rights and prepare for the transaction.
Explore our expertise →Different
perspectives.
A stronger you.
About our firm →FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions,
answered.
Can an agreement be prepared for an existing company?
Yes. The review should take account of current ownership, existing documents and commitments already made. Changes may need to be coordinated with the relevant company decisions.
Is this the same as a founder agreement?
The subjects can overlap. A founder agreement often focuses on the people building the business, while a shareholder agreement addresses the rights and arrangements between owners more broadly.
Can it prevent every shareholder dispute?
No agreement eliminates all disagreements. Clear decision-making and dispute procedures can help the parties understand their position and the steps to follow if a problem develops.
What should I prepare for the first discussion?
Bring the shareholding structure, existing constitutional documents and any investment terms. 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.