Due Diligence Audit Services

Due Diligence Audit Services — IEMA Standards Ltd
Independent · Objective · Internationally Aligned

IEMA Standards Ltd provides independent, evidence-based due diligence audit services that help Nigerian organizations and international investors evaluate business risk, verify compliance, and make informed decisions — aligned with ISO 19011, OECD Guidelines, IFC Performance Standards, and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision frameworks.

Mergers & Acquisitions Investment & Financing Regulatory Compliance Vendor & Third-Party Risk Corporate Governance
Standards & frameworks
ISO 19011:2018 ISO 31000 OECD Guidelines IFC Performance Standards Basel Committee CBN Regulations SEC Nigeria FRCN Code

In Nigeria’s dynamic and evolving business environment, conducting thorough due diligence is no longer optional — it is a critical safeguard for investors, lenders, boards, and regulators. Whether you are acquiring a business, entering a joint venture, onboarding a strategic supplier, or satisfying the requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), independent due diligence provides the verified intelligence your decision-making demands.

As an EGAC-accredited certification and audit body, IEMA Standards Ltd brings the technical rigour of international audit standards and the contextual expertise of Nigerian regulatory practice to every engagement — delivering audit reports that are credible, defensible, and accepted by local and international stakeholders.

Types of due diligence audits we conduct
Financial Due Diligence

Independent assessment of financial statements, revenue quality, liabilities, cash flow integrity, and accounting practices — in line with IFRS and FRCN reporting standards. Covers historical performance, working capital analysis, and financial risk exposure.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance Due Diligence

Verification of corporate registration, licences, permits, litigation history, regulatory sanctions, and compliance with applicable Nigerian laws — including CAMA 2020, NDPA 2023, FIRS tax obligations, CBN licensing requirements, and sector-specific regulations.

Information Security Due Diligence

Evaluation of an organization’s information security posture, data protection practices, and cybersecurity controls — aligned with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. Suitable for technology acquisitions, fintech partnerships, and outsourcing assessments.

Operational & Management Due Diligence

Assessment of organizational structure, operational processes, human resource practices, key person dependencies, and management competence. Identifies operational risks, capacity gaps, and governance weaknesses before a transaction or partnership is concluded.

ESG & Sustainability Due Diligence

Evaluation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and practices — aligned with IFC Performance Standards, OECD Due Diligence Guidance, and emerging Nigerian sustainability reporting expectations. Increasingly required by DFIs, impact investors, and international lenders.

Vendor & Third-Party Due Diligence

Independent verification of the integrity, financial standing, regulatory compliance, and operational capability of vendors, contractors, agents, and business partners — essential for CBN third-party risk management requirements, supply chain integrity, and anti-corruption compliance.

AML/CFT Compliance Due Diligence

Assessment of a counterparty’s AML/CFT controls, KYC processes, Beneficial Ownership structures, PEP exposure, and sanctions screening practices — supporting correspondent banking, de-risking decisions, and NFIU reporting obligations.

Management System Due Diligence

Independent review of the implementation and effectiveness of certified management systems — including ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 45001 — to verify claims made in procurement, tendering, and partner-onboarding processes.

Our due diligence audit services

Pre-transaction and pre-investment due diligence audits for M&A, joint ventures, and capital raises

Independent due diligence audit reports acceptable to Nigerian and international regulators, lenders, and investors

Regulatory compliance gap assessments against CBN, SEC, FRCN, NFIU, and NDPC requirements

Background verification and integrity checks on counterparties, directors, and beneficial owners

Corporate structure and ownership verification, including beneficial ownership mapping

Vendor and supplier qualification audits for procurement and contracting processes

Risk rating and risk register development arising from due diligence findings

Post-acquisition integration audits and ongoing compliance monitoring engagements

Executive briefings and board-level reporting on due diligence findings and risk implications

ESG and sustainability risk assessments aligned with international DFI and impact investor requirements

Our due diligence audit process
01
Scope definition & engagement planning We work with you to define the precise scope, objectives, timelines, and deliverables of the due diligence engagement — ensuring the audit is structured to answer the specific questions your transaction, investment, or compliance obligation demands.
02
Document review & data collection Our auditors conduct a systematic review of all relevant documentation — financial records, corporate filings, licences, contracts, policies, and management system records — applying ISO 19011 audit principles to ensure thoroughness and objectivity.
03
On-site verification & management interviews Where required, we conduct on-site visits, physical verification, and structured interviews with key personnel to corroborate documentation and assess the operational reality of the subject organization.
04
Risk analysis & findings synthesis Findings are assessed against applicable regulatory requirements, international standards, and industry benchmarks. Material risks, red flags, and compliance gaps are identified, classified, and quantified where possible.
05
Audit report & recommendations A comprehensive, professionally structured due diligence audit report is delivered, covering findings, risk ratings, and actionable recommendations. Reports are written to meet the standards expected by Nigerian regulators, international lenders, and development finance institutions.
06
Follow-up & remediation support We provide post-report support — including management response reviews, remediation planning, and follow-up verification — ensuring that identified risks are appropriately addressed before or after transaction close.
Key benefits to your organization
Informed decision-making Replace assumption with evidence — get an independent, verified picture of any organization before committing capital, resources, or reputation.
Regulatory acceptance Due diligence reports prepared to international audit standards, credible and defensible before CBN, SEC, FRCN, NFIU, and international lenders.
Transaction risk reduction Identify hidden liabilities, compliance gaps, and governance weaknesses before they become costly post-transaction problems.
Investor & lender confidence Strengthen your investment case or credit application with independent, third-party verified due diligence — trusted by DFIs, commercial banks, and international investors.
Anti-corruption & integrity assurance Protect your organization from association with fraudulent, sanctioned, or politically exposed counterparties — essential for EFCC and ICPC compliance, and reputational risk management.
Supply chain & vendor integrity Ensure suppliers, contractors, and agents meet your organization’s standards for financial soundness, regulatory compliance, and ethical conduct.
ESG & sustainability credibility Demonstrate credible ESG risk management practices to international investors, development finance institutions, and global supply chain partners.
Board & governance protection Enable boards and senior management to discharge their fiduciary duties with documented, independent assurance — reducing personal liability exposure.
Organizations that engage our due diligence services

Banks & Financial Institutions

Private Equity & Investment Firms

Development Finance Institutions

Fintech & Technology Companies

Corporations & Conglomerates

Public Sector & Regulators

International Investors & Partners

Legal Firms & Transaction Advisors

Why IEMA Standards

Accredited independence. Nigerian expertise. International credibility.

IEMA Standards Ltd is accredited by EGAC — a full member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and Global Accreditation Cooperation (GAC) — giving our audit reports the international recognition and credibility required by regulators, investors, and development finance institutions operating in and out of Nigeria. Our auditors combine mastery of international audit standards with deep knowledge of Nigeria’s regulatory, legal, and business environment.

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EGAC-accredited
Full IAF/GAC MLA signatory — our reports carry international recognition across 100+ economies
ISO 19011-aligned
All engagements follow the international standard for auditing management systems and organizations
Multi-disciplinary
Financial, legal, operational, ICT, and ESG expertise — deployed in integrated, sector-specific audit teams
Nigeria-specific
Deep regulatory knowledge spanning CBN, SEC, FRCN, NFIU, NDPC, FIRS, CAMA, and sector legislation

Independent assurance. Evidence-based decisions. Internationally credible reports.