Nine Nigerian Law Firms Feature in Law.com International’s Africa Top 30 by Headcount 2026

Nine Nigerian law firms feature in Law.com International’s Africa Top 30 by Headcount 2026, reflecting Nigeria’s representation among the continent’s largest legal practices. Aluko & Oyebode leads the Nigerian firms at No. 8 with 206 lawyers, while Templars and Olaniwun Ajayi rank 10th and 11th, respectively. This year’s ranking also marks KENNA’s debut on the continental list at No. 21, with a reported headcount of 103 lawyers, including 9 partners.

The Nigerian firms rank alongside some of Africa’s largest legal practices, including South Africa’s ENS and Bowmans, the Kenya-founded regional alliance Africa Legal Network (ALN), and international firms such as DLA Piper. Other firms in the ranking include Webber Wentzel and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, both South African firms, reflecting the range of domestic practices, regional networks and international firms represented in the continental listing.

The ranking compares law firms primarily by lawyer headcount, with additional information on partner numbers and African revenue bands. The 9 Nigerian firms occupy positions from 8th to 27th, with 3 in the top 11 and 6 between 19th and 27th. Other Nigerian firms include Banwo & Ighodalo, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, G. Elias & Co., Jackson, Etti & Edu, and AELEX.

KENNA ranks 21st in Law.com International’s Africa Top 30 by Headcount 2026, making it the 5th highest ranked Nigerian firm in this year’s listing. Its reported headcount of 103 lawyers places it between Banwo & Ighodalo, ranked 19th with 112 lawyers, and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, ranked 22nd with 90 lawyers. KENNA falls within the US$5 million to US$25 million African revenue band, shared by 5 other Nigerian firms in the ranking.

Year-on-year movements among the Nigerian firms varied. Templars rose one place to 10th, with headcount up 13.5%. Olaniwun Ajayi moved from 10th to 11th, with a reported 23.4% decline, while Banwo & Ighodalo fell from 17th to 19th, following a 5.9% reduction in headcount. All three firms fall within the US$25 million to US$50 million African revenue band.

The 2026 ranking provides a view of the size and composition of law firms operating across different jurisdictions and practice structures, providing a broad picture of Africa’s legal market.