CJN, Attorneys‑General, and Global Experts to Meet in Lagos for ICC Africa Arbitration Conference

Wale Igbintade

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, along with Attorneys‑General, leading arbitration experts, and business leaders from more than 30 countries are slated to attend the 10th International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Africa Conference on International Arbitration and ADR in Lagos next week.

The event, organized by the ICC, will run from June 3 to June 5 at the Lagos Continental Hotel and is expected to draw delegates from Africa, Europe and Asia.

During a press briefing in Lagos, Dorothy Ufeme Ufot, Chair of the ICC Nigeria Arbitration and ADR Commission, explained that Nigeria’s selection as host was a significant endorsement of the country’s growing influence in international commercial dispute resolution.

Ufot said several African nations had competed to host the anniversary edition, but the ICC headquarters in Paris chose Nigeria because of its successful track record in organizing previous conferences and its expanding role in global arbitration.

“This is the 10th ICC Africa Conference and many countries indicated interest in hosting it. Nigeria was chosen because of our successful history and the confidence ICC has in our capacity,” she stated.

She also revealed that Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, will lead a delegation from Paris to the conference.

Ufot added that the Attorney‑General of the Federation, the Attorney‑General of Lagos State, and several Attorneys‑General from other countries have confirmed their attendance.

With the theme “A Decade of Excellence: Shaping the Future of International Arbitration and ADR in Africa,” the conference will address emerging issues in dispute resolution, including infrastructure disputes, energy transition, digital economy conflicts, artificial intelligence, investment protection and geopolitical risks.

Ufot described international arbitration as the preferred mechanism for resolving complex commercial disputes, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, construction, infrastructure and technology.

She lamented that, despite Africa’s abundant natural resources, disputes arising from investments and commercial activities on the continent are still largely resolved abroad, depriving African professionals and institutions of significant opportunities and revenue.

“If businesses are coming to Africa and generating wealth from our resources, Africans must also participate in resolving the disputes arising from those transactions,” she said.

According to Ufot, African professionals were previously sidelined in international arbitration due to perceptions that they lacked the expertise to handle complex commercial disputes.

She noted that African legal practitioners have responded by investing heavily in training, attending international conferences and participating actively in global arbitration institutions.

Ufot said the effort is beginning to pay off, with Nigerian arbitrators increasingly receiving appointments from leading global arbitration institutions such as the London Court of International Arbitration and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.

She also disclosed that she was recently appointed as Presiding Arbitrator in an international arbitration involving Russian parties, describing the appointment as evidence of growing global confidence in Nigerian arbitrators.

“That shows that we are making progress,” she said.

Olubunmi Osuntuyi, Secretary‑General of ICC Nigeria, said the conference will feature advanced training sessions led by experts from ICC headquarters.

Participants will engage in discussions on fast‑track arbitration, judicial support for arbitration, drafting balanced arbitration clauses and managing arbitration costs.

Jean Chiazor Anishere, co‑chair of the conference, said the increasing recognition of African arbitrators globally reflects the continent’s growing intellectual and professional capacity to handle complex commercial disputes.

She added that Nigeria’s hosting of the conference will further strengthen its position as a leading arbitration hub in Africa.

The event will also include a gala dinner to commemorate its 10th anniversary and celebrate milestones in arbitration practice across the continent.