Overview
Opeyemi Longe is of counsel in the London office of Paul Hastings. Licensed to practice in Nigeria and England and Wales (Solicitor), Opeyemi’s practice focuses on advising clients on commercial and investment disputes. He has substantial experience advising sovereign states and private clients on the resolution of high-value and complex disputes across a broad range of sectors, especially in the energy, construction and financial services sectors.
Opeyemi has been involved in arbitrations conducted under the major arbitration rules, including under the ICC and LCIA rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations. Over the past decade, Opeyemi’s experience includes advising clients from Australia, Europe, Middle East and Africa in major international arbitrations.
Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Opeyemi practiced litigation and arbitration at two leading law firms in Nigeria and in the London office of another international law firm. Opeyemi frequently speaks on contemporary issues in international arbitration and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Education
- Balliol College, University of Oxford, BCL, 2018
- Nigerian Law School, B.L., 2014
- Adekunle Ajasin University, LL.B (Hons), 2012
Representations
- Nigeria in an ICSID arbitration brought by Jupiter Lithium Ltd and four of its subsidiaries under the UK-Nigeria BIT in relation to investments in Nigeria’s minerals sector.
- Nigeria in an ICSID arbitration brought by the Korea National Oil Company and two of its Nigerian subsidiaries under the Korea-Nigeria BIT in relation to investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
- An African state in an LCIA arbitration arising from the privatization of an aluminium smelter company.
- The minority shareholder in three LCIA arbitrations relating to a shareholder dispute and ancillary dispute linked to the operation of an African port facility.
- An East African state-owned entity in an ICC arbitration in a shareholder dispute relating to an agricultural joint venture.
- A Middle Eastern employer in an LCIA arbitration regarding the construction of a mall.
- An African state in two ICC arbitrations resulting from a multibillion-dollar hydropower project.
- The lead partner of an international consortium of contractors in an ICC arbitration between the consortium partners arising out of the consortium agreement following the termination of a FIDIC Silver Book contract relating to the engineering design, procurement, construction and commissioning of a commuter in Southeast Europe.
- An international oil & gas company in one of the largest ICC arbitration proceedings in the world, resulting from the consolidation of multiple ICC proceedings concerning defective works, delay and cost blowouts in the construction of an LNG processing facility.
- A state-owned entity in the Middle East in relation to a dispute arising out of a FIDIC Red Book contract for the construction of road and water tanks in the Middle East.
- A Nigerian gas company in relation to an arbitration arising from a dispute on take or pay obligations under a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement.
- A European trustee in an LCIA arbitration arising out of a Share Purchase Agreement and the related Deed of Indemnity.
- A multinational oil company in litigation before the Nigerian court regarding alleged under-declaration of over $400 million worth of crude oil export.
Engagement & Publications
- “Fast-Track Justice: Expedited Arbitration Eight Years On,” ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration (Lagos, June 2026)
- “The billion-dollar question: how will African mega disputes evolve over the next decade?” London International Disputes Week (London, June 2026).
- “Arbitrability in Focus: Navigating What Can and Cannot Be Arbitrated,” Corporate & In-House Counsel Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch (Webinar, September 2025)
- “Pan African Arbitration,” East Africa International Arbitration Conference (Abuja, September 2025)
- “Arbitrating Environmental Disputes: Case Studies and Lesson Learned,” Nairobi Arbitration Week (Nairobi, March 2025)
- “The ‘Latest and Greatest’ Developments in Arbitration on the African Continent,” East Africa International Arbitration Conference (Addis Ababa, September 2024)
- “Why are African disputes still being resolved ‘out of Africa’ and why does it matter?” London International Disputes Week (London, June 2024)
- “Corruption and arbitration / award challenge: What lessons can we learn from P&ID v Nigeria?” London International Disputes Week (London, June 2024)
- “Climate Change Meets International Arbitration – An African Perspective,” Joint Summit of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria & London Branches (Lagos, May 2023)
Involvement
- Fellow – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators