Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), today delivered a powerful goodwill message at the 2025 Hybrid Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb).
Speaking on the theme “Strengthening Institutional Arbitration in Africa: Charting a New Path,” the NBA President made an urgent appeal for a fundamental cultural shift in dispute resolution practice.
The Burden on Courts is Unsustainable
Mazi emphasized the crisis facing the judicial system, stating that a deliberate embrace of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms is no longer optional.
“Our courts, especially the Supreme Court, remain overburdened. Thousands of matters continue to pile up every year and this slows down justice delivery for everyone.”
He stressed that strengthening arbitration, mediation, and other ADR tools is the most practical way to reduce this burden while ensuring parties benefit from timely and cost-effective resolution.
ADR is Collaboration, Not Conflict
The core of the President’s message addressed the mindset legal professionals bring to ADR: We must stop approaching arbitration with the same adversarial mindset we take to court.
Mazi Afam Osigwe firmly defined the true essence of ADR, contrasting it sharply with traditional litigation:
* ADR is not war.
* It is not an arena for winners and losers.
He clarified that the process is inherently collaborative, built on compromise, problem solving, and preserving relationships.
He warned that when parties pursue arbitration determined to win at all costs, they actively undermine the very spirit of ADR.
Charting the Path Forward
The President concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders, legal professionals, policymakers, and institutional leaders, to work together to:
* Strengthen arbitration frameworks.
* Build professional capacity.
* Promote a dispute resolution culture that reflects global best practices.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association
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