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Specialised

Islamic Banking and Finance

Advice on non-interest banking, sukuk, takaful and Shariah-compliant products, combining knowledge of Islamic commercial law with Nigerian financial regulation.

Overview

Non-interest finance is now part of Nigeria’s mainstream financial system, with licensed non-interest banks, sovereign and state sukuk and takaful operators. We help institutions and their clients structure products that satisfy both Shariah principles and Nigerian law.

We advise on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s framework for non-interest financial institutions, licensing and Shariah governance, and on contracts such as murabaha, ijara, musharaka, mudaraba and istisna’a. Our work includes reviewing product documentation, structuring sukuk and advising on takaful under the National Insurance Commission’s guidelines.

Our familiarity with Islamic law in Nigeria, including Islamic personal law and the Sharia courts, helps us draft documents that hold up both before Shariah advisers and in court, and advise on how disputes under these contracts are likely to be resolved.

What we do

  • Islamic Financial Instruments

    Advising on the structuring and documentation of various Shariah-compliant financial instruments, including Murabaha, Mudarabah, Ijarah, and Sukuk.

  • Regulatory Compliance

    Assisting financial institutions in complying with the regulatory frameworks governing Islamic banking and finance, including Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines and international standards.

  • Islamic Banking Operations

    Providing legal support for the establishment and operation of Islamic banks, including licensing, governance, and operational compliance.

  • Shariah Advisory

    Offering expert advice on Shariah compliance for financial transactions, products, and services, ensuring alignment with Islamic principles.

  • Dispute Resolution

    Representing clients in disputes related to Islamic banking and finance, leveraging our expertise in both conventional and Islamic legal principles to achieve favorable outcomes.

FAQs

The Central Bank of Nigeria licenses and supervises non-interest banks and non-interest windows of conventional banks. Each institution must have its own Shariah advisory committee, and the CBN is advised by a Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts.

Yes. Non-interest products are open to any customer. What makes them non-interest is the structure of the contract, which is based on trade, leasing or profit-sharing rather than interest on money lent.

A certificate giving investors an ownership interest in identified assets or a project, with returns coming from those assets rather than interest. The Federal Government has issued sukuk through the Debt Management Office to finance roads.
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