Ismaila Usman is a Legal Director, a thought leader and a seasoned transactions expert in the Real Estate practice of DLA Piper Africa, Nigeria (Olajide Oyewole LLP). He has nearly two decades of experience in real property transactions and real property litigation and represents clients in property related arbitration and mediation matters.
Ismaila represents local and multinational organizations in Real Estate transactions, advising on diverse matters relating to real estate asset sales and acquisitions, commercial real estate developments and joint ventures, real estate investments, commercial and residential leases, grant of state land and renewal of statutory occupancy rights, real estate tax matters, title due diligence and perfection of title, zoning, land use matters, physical planning/development control matters, land reclamation as well as other real estate investment schemes.
Ismaila is committed to value creation in the Nigerian real estate market regularly assisting businesses/investors to maximize profits. He represents clients for whom real estate is a core asset or an alternative investment and clients whose business operations have significant real estate needs, advising them throughout the entire life cycle of their real estate investments from due diligence, acquisition, facilities management, disposals, documentation, enforcement of contractual obligations and post completion matters.
Experience has included advising:
- First World Communities Limited, the developer of residential real estate with a total land area of 80 hectares situated at different locations within the Lekki area of Lagos State.
- Trojan Estates Limited, on a joint venture real estate development located at Victoria Island, Lagos worth more than USD30 million.
- Oando Plc, in various real estate transactions in respect to acquisition of interests in property for use as offices, lube plants and service stations.
- Boulos Enterprises Limited, on the renewal of the term of years of its statutory right of occupancy granted to it by the Lagos State government.
- Oando Plc, with respect to completion of the registration of a scheme judgment affecting interests in real property in over 400 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria.
- A leading local commercial bank, on due diligence and title verification of its properties in over 300 locations across the 36 States of Nigeria.
- Lango Real Estate, on various disputes arising from breaches and defaults of tenancy agreements, including recovery strategies for outstanding indebtedness. This work has encompassed rental arrears, service charges, and utility payments owed by tenants across its malls in Nigeria, with remedies pursued through contractual enforcement, debt recovery actions, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
- Multinational and local companies, in land and real property disputes across the various jurisdictions in superior courts up to the apex court.
- Eko Pearl Limited, on the structuring of the sale transactions of its 150 units of three-bedroom apartments comprised in three towers at the Eko Atlantic City.
- A leading real estate developer, on the sale and leasing of its luxury apartments and penthouses located within the prime waterfront at Victoria Island, Lagos.
- Both local and multinational clients, with respect to processing the perfection of title of more than 200 properties in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers and Ogun States.
- Clients on the acquisition of several residential properties at Maitama and Asokoro Districts in Abuja and currently handling the application for subdivisions and issuance of new Certificates of Occupancy over the respective properties.
- Solar Garden Projects Limited, the Developers of several prime residential and commercial estate in Nigeria.
- Cobranet Limited on the lease acquisition with respect to its new head office located at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Negotiated favourable terms, identified risks, and proposed resolutions options for a successful conclusion of the transaction.
- Lagos State Ministry of Environment to coordinate the enforcement exercise towards removal of all illegal squatters and structures on the parcels of land.
Professional Qualifications
- Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (2007)
Education
- Nigerian Law School, Barrister at Law (B.L.), 2007
- University of Benin, Nigeria, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), 2006
Prior Experience
- Associate at Tunji Braithwaite & Co: January 2010 – January 2014
- Associate at Chief Ladi Rotimi Williams Chambers: August 2008 - December 2010
Memberships
- Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators
Recognition
- Rising Star, Real Estate & Construction - Legal 500 EMEA 2023, 2024, 2025