Legal practitioners, policymakers, and international stakeholders will converge in Abuja from April 13 to 15, 2026, as the Nigerian branch of the International Law Association (ILA Nigeria) hosts its 9th annual conference focused on tackling tax evasion and other economic and financial crimes.
The three-day event, scheduled to hold at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), will feature keynote addresses, master classes, panel discussions, and networking sessions aimed at exploring the role of international law in addressing illicit financial flows, corruption, and money laundering.
In a statement ahead of the conference, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Grace Dafiel, said the 2026 edition, themed “Mitigating Economic and Financial Crime Risks in a Shifting Global Order: The Role of International Law,” will bring together legal experts and diplomats to examine regulatory enforcement and risk mitigation strategies.
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She noted that discussions would focus on strengthening international cooperation to curb tax evasion and other illicit financial practices, while also advancing sustainable development goals.
Held annually since 2014, the ILA Nigeria conference has evolved into a major platform for international law experts, practitioners, academics, and students to engage on the development and implementation of legal frameworks across various sectors.
Among the confirmed keynote speakers are former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and current Gambian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Fatou Bensouda; Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, Edward Harris; former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Bolaji Owasonoye; and the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Malick.
President of ILA Nigeria, Damilola Olawuyi, emphasised the far-reaching impact of financial crimes, describing tax evasion, illicit financial flows, and corruption as major threats to sustainable development.
