The Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) Arbitration Policy Centre has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the implementation of the National Policy on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 2024, saying clearer institutional structures and stronger judicial support are critical to making Nigeria a preferred seat for international arbitration.
The Centre, an independent policy, research and advocacy platform operated by OAL, made the call in a letter dated September 22, 2026, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Signed by Collins Okeke on behalf of the Centre, the letter identified five areas requiring attention, including the constitution of the Advisory Council established under the National Policy, funding and operationalisation of the Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, Lagos (RCICAL), the position of foreign counsel in Nigerian-seated arbitrations and the speed of arbitration-related court proceedings.
The Centre said Clause 19.0 of the National Policy provides for a five-year implementation period beginning from 2024, to be overseen by an Advisory Council comprising arbitration and ADR experts and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), with the council expected to meet twice yearly.
It, however, observed that the council was yet to be constituted, adding that establishing the council would strengthen the ongoing implementation efforts of the Federal Ministry of Justice, including the recently convened committee reviewing the National Policy.
It said the council would also provide a standing platform for practitioner input and continuity in implementing the policy.
The Centre offered to support the proposed council in any capacity considered useful by the Federal Government.
On the funding and operationalisation of RCICAL, the Centre referred to Clause 9.0 of the National Policy, which commits the Federal Government to funding, staffing and providing suitable facilities for the Lagos-based regional arbitration centre.
It said the commitment was important to Nigeria’s treaty obligations to the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO), adding that a well-resourced RCICAL would be significant to the country’s ambition of becoming a preferred international arbitration seat.
The Centre also raised concerns about the National Arbitration and ADR Register contemplated under Clause 11.0 of the policy. It said the register appeared to remain at an early stage of development and urged greater attention to its operationalisation, describing it as potentially valuable to the arbitration and ADR ecosystem once established.