The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has reiterated the urgent need for a systemic shift towards Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a vital tool for strengthening justice delivery and reducing the overwhelming pressure on the nation’s courts. He made this known in his goodwill message at the 2025 Hybrid Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), themed “Strengthening Institutional Arbitration in Africa: Charting a New Path.”
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Tthe NBA President commended NICArb for sustaining a platform that continues to shape discourse around arbitration and other ADR mechanisms across Africa. He emphasized that as justice systems evolve globally, African institutions must also innovate to ensure dispute resolution becomes more efficient, predictable, and accessible to all.
Speaking on the state of the Nigerian judiciary, the NBA President drew attention to the alarming workload of the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, which he described as one of the most overburdened apex courts in the world. He noted that thousands of cases find their way to the Supreme Court annually, creating immense delays that undermine public confidence in the justice system.
According to him, the consistent and intentional use of ADR mechanisms, especially arbitration and mediation, offers a sustainable pathway to decongesting the courts, resolving disputes faster, reducing costs for parties, and enhancing overall justice delivery.
He stated:
“We must begin to discuss, honestly and practically, how to utilize ADR more effectively in resolving disputes. ADR is not an alternative to justice; it is an integral part of modern justice systems. Every matter does not need to end up in court.”
The NBA President also warned against approaching arbitration with the same adversarial mindset prevalent in litigation. He stressed that ADR thrives on flexibility, cooperation, and compromise, not a win-at-all-costs mentality.
He noted:
“Arbitration and mediation should not be approached with the litigation mindset that one party must win at all costs. ADR is about compromise, about helping parties find mutually beneficial solutions while preserving relationships.”
He urged legal practitioners, institutions, and policymakers to deepen their commitment to institutional arbitration in Nigeria and across Africa. He further called for the strengthening of procedural frameworks, capacity building for practitioners, and enhanced collaboration between courts and arbitral institutions to foster a more efficient dispute resolution ecosystem.
The NBA President reaffirmed the Association’s support for NICArb’s mission and pledged continued partnership in advocacy, policy development, and capacity enhancement initiatives aimed at building a strong arbitration culture on the continent.
The conference brought together judges, lawyers, arbitrators, business leaders, academics, and dispute resolution experts from across Africa and beyond, all united in charting a new and progressive path for institutional arbitration.
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