Developing and Financing Infrastructure Projects

Femi is the founder of Brickstone and has practical experience in advising companies and governments on private investments in energy , real estate and infrastructure, including structuring and executing project/structured financings and M&A transactions. He leads Brickstone’s Origination & Commercial advisory team in Energy, Infrastructure and Real Estate. Femi was an investment banking professional with Vetiva Capital Management Limited where he led teams on several M&A transactions, capital raisings programmes as well as structured/project financings of over $500 million. Prior to joining Vetiva Capital Management Limited, he was at the ARM Investment Managers and was part of the private equity real estate team and he assessed potential real estate investment opportunities

Femi has a first degree – B.Sc. Geology from University of Ibadan and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos Business School, Pan-African University. He was the Facilitator and Lead of the Mining –Manufacturing Policy Commission of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group.

Ibukun is an Innovative and result-oriented sustainability specialist with over eighteen years of development work and environmental management practice in Nigeria. This has provided her with the opportunity to support the development of public policies and regulation as well as deploy relevant tools to assist organizations to improve their environmental performance.

Have championed the application of numerous tools to enable the environmental and social safeguards for over 50 projects and supported about 20 different organization to improve their environmental performance in the last nine(9) years.

Key skills includes performing Environmental and Social Due Diligence, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental Audit Reports (EAR), Cost Benefit Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, Resource Management, Environmental Sensitivity Index, Environmental Management Plans, and Stakeholder Engagement etc.

Bunmi is experienced providing a wide range of advisory and consulting services to government, and public and private sector clients on infrastructure projects including assignments related to project development strategies, restructuring of state-owned enterprises, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and privatizations. Successful completion of infrastructure related projects in countries including Nigeria, Ghana, USA, Mexico, Tanzania, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Bahamas and Aruba.

• Deal Structuring and Financial Modelling for Infrastructure Projects: Completed multiple infrastructure-related financial models and analyses for a broad array of clients. Optimal deal structuring based on the results from financial, risk analysis.
• Project Management: Experience leading teams on infrastructure projects encompassing project development, preparation, procurement, prioritization, improvements, evaluation, implementation and post-implementation monitoring.

Key Roles/Responsibilities: Manage/lead complex consulting projects; Manage internal and external project resources; Design, development and execution of client projects; New and follow-on business development identification; Maintain/improve client relationships; Delivery of on-schedule, on-budget, and profitable projects while maintaining high client satisfaction

Abbas is an environmental and social specialist with multisectoral experience related to environment, social risk assessment and management in Ghana and Nigeria. Trained by Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialists from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), Abbas possesses in-depth knowledge of IFC Performance Standards and IFC Environmental and Social Review Procedures and had developed ESMS for a variety of clients.

With knowledge and technical expertise in providing a range of environmental services across industries and sectors, Abbas has conducted E&S Due Diligence and Independent E&S Monitoring and Audits for large scale infrastructure projects, applying international and country-specific E&S standards including the IFC Performance Standards, IFC EHS Guidelines, ILO Conventions, the Equator Principles, Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles, and country-specific legislation in Nigeria and Ghana.

Abbas is the Managing Consultant with ImpactCrest Consulting. He holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Environmental Management from the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, and bachelor’s degree in Botany from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Lucy Johnson is a Partner at Trinity International LLP.

Lucy trained and qualified as a solicitor in the Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, prior to joining Trinity in November 2016. Lucy has a wide range of experience advising banks and borrowers on both the project and finance aspects of transactions in the energy and infrastructure sector, with a particular focus on Africa.

Her recent work includes advising sponsors in relation to the Corbetti and Tulu Moye geothermal projects in Ethiopia; the project company in relation to a thermal IPP in Sierra Leone; the project company in respect of the financing of a container terminal and multipurpose use terminal in Takoradi Port, Ghana; the sponsors of the Mocuba solar PV plant in Mozambique and KfW in relation to the implementation of GETFiT Mozambique.

In addition to advising on several other energy and infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa, Lucy has also advised both lenders and borrowers in relation to a number of reserve-based lending and trade finance facilities.

Lucy graduated from the University of Warwick with an LLB in Law in 2008 and qualified as a solicitor of England & Wales in 2012.

Bayo Akomolafe is an accomplished program manager with over a decade of experience in engineering projects and operations management at General Electric (GE) and its subsidiary, FieldCore, specializing in power generation assets.

Bayo combines technical expertise with insights into the socioeconomic and environmental aspects of macroenergy systems. His work as an independent energy systems analyst focuses on electricity resource development, sustainability, accessibility, and reliability in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Throughout his career, Bayo has developed, managed, and led a diverse array of complex projects for various multinational organizations across three continents. His project portfolio includes work with Suncor Energy, Aturapower, Bruce Power, NALCOR Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario Power Generation, Northland Power, and Imperial Oil in Canada; SASOL Synfuel in South Africa; Nigeria LNG Plant in Nigeria; CFE in Samalayuca, Mexico; CIPREL in Ivory Coast; STEG in Ferriana, Tunisia; as well as Esso and the GE Energy Learning Center.

Bayo holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from a Russian university, and a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from the University of Waterloo, Canada. Currently pursuing a PhD in Energy Systems Sustainability Management. He is a registered professional engineer in Canada, where he currently resides. In addition to his professional pursuits, Bayo is an enthusiastic road-tripper.

Chinenye is a Managing Associate in the Power & Infrastructure practice group in Olaniwun Ajayi, where she specializes in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects. Her expertise encompasses renewable energy, natural gas-fired power projects, and healthcare and transportation infrastructure. Additionally, she offers policy, regulatory, and compliance advisory services to clients in the electricity sector.

In 2022, Chinenye was nominated as a United Nations Representative to Geneva with Ariel
Foundation International, where she co-chaired a summit on Energy and Environment. With over
a decade of experience, she is a versatile commercial lawyer with core expertise in electricity
law, infrastructure, deal structuring, and project finance. She provides business and legal
advisory services to both established and emerging companies in the power sector, particularly
within renewable energy.

Chinenye collaborates with local and international clients across the public and private sectors,
advising on policy and regulatory matters, due diligence, transaction structuring, project finance,
regulatory licensing, and the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements, including
Engineering and Procurement Contracts and Power Purchase Agreements.

As a United Nations Representative of Ariel Foundation International in 2022, Chinenye cochaired a summit under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) themed “Energy
and Environment: Diverse Perspectives, Challenges, and Way Forward.” She presented a paper
titled “Boosting Investment towards Access to Clean Energy,” which was featured in the Winter
2022 edition of Re.engineer Magazine.

She has also delivered numerous presentations, participated in speaking engagements, and led advocacy campaigns on key energy issues, including energy transition, electricity policy, renewable energy finance, and sustainable energy.

Chinenye holds certifications from the Renewable Energy Institute of Technology (RETTI) and
currently volunteers as the Vice President, Projects of the Energy Institute Young Professional
Network (EIYPN) and as Program Coordinator for the African Fellowship for Young Energy
Leaders.

In the realm of electricity law, policy, and regulations, Chinenye supports governments, organizations, and investors in navigating Nigeria’s dynamic electricity legal framework. She
provides tailored advisory services that help clients achieve their commercial objectives while
ensuring compliance with the law.

Desmond is a Partner in our Finance & Projects practice Groups. He holds a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University, graduated with First Class Honours from the Nigerian Law School, and has a Bachelor of Laws from Ebonyi State University.

Desmond has extensive experience advising project companies, sponsors, borrowers, banks, funds, multilateral finance institutions, export credit agencies, other financial institutions and corporates on diverse transactions including project finance, acquisitions and divestments, power projects and other infrastructure development, strategic investments, international capital markets issuances, corporate finance and alternative funding structures.

He is ranked in several international legal directories including IFLR 1000 Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms and Chambers Global Guide to the Legal Profession with clients and other independent sources describing him as “…a good problem solver and very client oriented”; “very effective… strong and bright”; ”one who delivers excellent work”; and “has a keen eye for the commercial objectives of a transaction”. Desmond has served as a Senior Editor of the Harvard Business Law Review; as Vice-Chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law; and as a member of different technical committees of experts appointed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to advise its Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee on much needed financial law reforms in Nigeria.

Adeboye Fowora is currently the Head of Site Operations at Starsight Energy. Prior to this, they were the Head of Project Management for West Africa at Standard Chartered Bank from February 2010 to October 2015. Adeboye was responsible for Program & Project Management during their time there.

From January 2007 to September 2008, they were the Senior Planning Manager at Mace Group. Adeboye then moved on to AFP Consulting for a brief period of time before becoming the Director at Adeoye Fowora & Partners, a civil & structural engineering design partnership for marine infrastructure, from August 2008 to February 2010.

In September 2005, they began working as a Senior Planning Consultant at EC Harris and was there until December 2006. Adeboye then became the Lead Planner at Laing O’Rourke Civil Engineering from January 2004 to September 2005. Their final role before joining Starsight Energy was as the Planning Manager at Bovis Lend Lease from January 2002 to January 2004.

Adeboye Fowora attended Kingston University, where they studied civil engineering. Adeboye then pursued a career in civil engineering and worked for Oxford Brookes University.

Jobalo is Deputy CEO of ARM-Harith.

A commercial lawyer with over 20 years’ experience and extensive exposure to public-private partnership, infrastructure development and infrastructure project finance, Jobalo previously held board roles with energy and transport sector entities.

Previously Executive Director and Head of Legal at Lekki Concession Company, Jobalo led counsel for the team responsible for negotiating the pioneering US$420 million Lekki Toll Road Concession Project.

Jobalo holds a Bachelor of Laws from Ogun State University, a BL from the Nigerian Law School, and is an Alumnus of Cranfield where he obtained an award in Business & Leadership.

Yolanda advises clients on the operation of contracts and the resolution of disputes through negotiation, adjudication, mediation, arbitration and litigation and has experience of working with clients throughout the lifecycle of a project to assist in the management of risk, the avoidance of disputes and to help achieve the best result commercially.

Yolanda has expertise in all major standard forms of contract, including JCT, NEC and FIDIC. Yolanda has advised owners and contractors and employers on a variety of projects. These have included buildings, road projects, tunnels, LNG plants and pipelines. Yolanda’s experience also includes a year-long secondment to Balfour Beatty, an international infrastructure group.

Yolanda is a director of Africa Construction Law, a pan-African thought-leadership initiative operating across Africa and in the diaspora to promote construction law and practice in Africa.

Yolanda regularly presents to various institutions at seminars and training workshops internationally and the UK. Yolanda is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal and is ranked as a “Future Leader in Construction”.

Edu Okeke is the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa Ltd, overseeing the 461MW Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant (IPP). With 25 years of experience in heavy, capital-intensive industries, Edu has built a distinguished career characterized by leadership roles in prominent global companies and extensive international experience.

His extensive experience spans roles in the oil & gas, cement, and power sectors, working for industry leaders such as Schlumberger,Lafarge, and General Electric across multiple countries, including the USA, UK, France, South Africa, Vietnam, and Pakistan.

Edu holds an MBA in Management from Imperial College London and a B.Eng. in Electronic
Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Ngo-Martins is a Partner at ALN Nigeria I Aluko & Oyebode, and the head of the Firm’s construction and infrastructure practice. He is a skilled litigator and arbitration lawyer has significant experience advising on project development, construction and engineering contracts including FIDIC, NEC, JCT and bespoke funder’s led EPC, EPCM contracts, in a variety of sectors, including oil & gas, power, and general infrastructure. He has significant experience working in the energy, oil & gas, transportation and building and hospitality sectors working for IOCs, NOCs , multinationals, and international contractors.

He has acted as counsel and arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings conducted under the UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICC Rules governed by a variety of substantive laws and seated in jurisdictions such as Nigeria, Milan, London, Zurich and Miami, Florida. He has also advised and represented clients in enforcing and recognising arbitral awards before Nigerian courts.

He is a leading voice in arbitration and construction law within the region, sharing insights, best practices, and innovative solutions. He is the founder of the prestigious Africa Construction Law (ACL), a platform which fosters knowledge exchange, networking, and advancements in construction law.