Arbitrators Urge Foreigners to Make Nigeria Preferred Seat for Settling Dispute

Ahead of the 7th International Chamber of Commerce Africa Conference on Arbitration, the Nigeria chapter has urged foreigners to make the nation their preferred seat, adding that it has competent members who can resolve disputes.

The Chair of ICC Nigeria Commission on Arbitration and ADR, SAN Dorothy Ufot made this call at a media parley for the conference slated from May 31st to June 2nd at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.

“We need a seat at the table; we want to be appointed arbitrators and counsels. We also need to be appointed to settle disputes,” said Ufot.

She also argued that Nigeria, Kenya and Africa have competent arbitrators who can settle disputes. “Africa as an attractive investment destination.

“The influx of foreign investors insisting on arbitration as the dispute settlement mechanism of choice has increased the demand for international commercial arbitration,” she emphasised.

She admitted that the future of international arbitration in Africa looks incredibly promising.

Ufot noted: “With the increasing legislative changes, and the growing importance of third-party funding and investment arbitration, there are opportunities and positive developments in using arbitration as a dispute settlement mechanism in Africa.”

As the premier platform for emerging trends and cutting-edge insights in African arbitration, the chairperson continued that the conference would pull top international practitioners and academics to discuss the most pressing issues affecting the African dispute resolution landscape.

She expressed that the first six editions conference attracted over 6,000 persons in cumulative attendance from within Nigeria and other parts of the world.

“In addition to Nigerian speakers, the participation of top-level African and international law firms is anticipated,” says Ufot.

On her part, Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, listed practising lawyers, arbitrators, mediators, corporate counsels, and academic professionals interested in and involved in international arbitration in Africa as delegates for the conference.

The ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration is a premier event that brings together legal professionals, business leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss and promote the development of international arbitration and ADR in Africa.

The conference serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration to enhance the practice understanding of arbitration on the African continent and, in turn, boost the nation’s economy.

With the theme “International Arbitration and ADR: The African Journey So Far and Looking Forward”, it is powered by the ICC Nigeria Commission on Arbitration & ADR with the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).