Afolabi Caxton-Martins

Afolabi Caxton-Martins is a Partner at Dentons in Lagos, serving as Head of the Corporate Department, specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions. He advises on corporate finance, private M&A, joint ventures, and infrastructure/PPP arrangements across sectors including financial services, transport, telecoms, aviation, healthcare, downstream oil services, and technology. He also handles domestic and international arbitration in connection with joint ventures and commercial arrangements.

Afolabi has advised a consortium of international investors on a US$175 million investment in a Nigerian bank; advised A.P. Moller‑Maersk on its successful US$2 billion privatisation bid for the largest container terminal in Nigeria; advised Bharti Airtel on its US$10.7 billion acquisition of Zain Africa's assets; advised Virgin Atlantic Airways on establishing a new commercial route in Nigeria and successfully overturned a US$100 million regulatory fine; advised Sun International Hotels on its US$49 million acquisition of Federal Palace Hotel; and advised Hygeia Nigeria Limited on its US$66.8 million sale of 83.4% of its equity to an international consortium. He also has deep experience advising on anti‑bribery and anti‑corruption laws and conducting internal investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

He holds an LL.B from the University of London (1983) and a B.L. from the Nigerian Law School (1984). He was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1984. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK and Nigeria Chapter) and a member of the International Bar Association.

Afolabi is ranked in Band 2 for Corporate/Commercial by Chambers Global Guide (2023), listed as Highly Regarded in Energy Infrastructure and M&A by IFLR1000, and recognised as a Global Leader in M&A and Governance by Who's Who Legal.