Stakeholders Advocate Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nigeria for Peaceful Coexistence
October 16, 2025 | Enugu
Experts and stakeholders in arbitration have urged Nigerians to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a faster, cost-effective, and indigenous means of settling disputes in modern society.
Stakeholders in arbitration and mediation have called on Nigerians to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an effective and culturally rooted means of settling disputes in society.
The call was made during the ADR Colloquium organized by the College of Arbitrators Nigeria on Wednesday in Enugu, themed “Rethinking Dispute Resolution in a Modern Society – Going Back to Our Roots.”
ADR Can Strengthen Peace and Harmony
Speaking at the event, the President of the College, Mr. Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), said the goal was to raise awareness about Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nigeria among practitioners and the general public, especially in the South-East region. http://adr.gov.ng
He emphasized the need for Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots, to revive indigenous dispute resolution mechanisms that foster peace and unity without resorting to the courts.
“If we promote our traditional systems of resolving disputes, the society will be better for it. We will live in greater harmony and make better progress,” Ikwueto said.
He noted that disputes have always existed in human societies but stressed that indigenous African systems were designed to promote understanding and reconciliation rather than conflict.
“Aside from the huge costs of litigation, court judgments often breed hatred and bitterness, especially when the losing party is dissatisfied. That is why our college will continue to provide specialized ADR training for efficient conflict management,” he added.
Mbah: ADR Is No Longer ‘Alternative’ but Essential
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State described Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nigeria as essential to bridging the gap between justice and peace, law and equity, and the courtroom and the community.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Mr. Osinachi Nnajieze, the governor said ADR has deep roots in traditional African society long before the colonial legal system was introduced. http://enugustate.gov.ng
“Our ancestors had robust mechanisms for resolving disputes. These systems were restorative rather than punitive, communal rather than adversarial, and anchored on values of reconciliation, truth-telling, and restitution,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenges of ADR in Nigeria, including low public awareness, limited institutional support, funding constraints, and overlaps between customary and statutory systems.
ADR Encourages Enduring Peace – ICC Chair
The Chairman of the Arbitration and ADR Commission, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Mrs. Dorothy Ufot (SAN), noted that when disputes are resolved by community leaders, peace and mutual respect are restored.
“After settlement, there is mutual understanding and respect. Parties shake hands and live peacefully without bitterness,” Ufot explained.
She added that disputes that might take years in court could be resolved within weeks or months through ADR.
“In business, by the time litigation concludes, interest rates may have doubled. ADR saves time and resources, and that’s why we are advocating for it,” she said.
Proper Supervision Is Key to ADR Success
Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of the National Industrial Court, Owerri Division, also emphasized the importance of structure and supervision in implementing Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nigeria.
“If left unsupervised, ADR can become trial and error. It will be like traditional medicine without a proper dosage or prescription,” he cautioned.
The colloquium concluded with a consensus among participants that Alternative Dispute Resolution should be mainstreamed into Nigeria’s legal and community systems to promote harmony, justice, and development. http://gmtnewsng.com
