The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Lagos the model of swift and business-friendly justice delivery in Nigeria through the expansion of the state’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed this while speaking at the 2nd yearly Lagos Multi-Door Courthouses (LMDC) and ADR Stakeholders’ Summit held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said ADR remains central to Lagos’ drive for economic growth, investor confidence, and sustainable peace.
The summit, themed “Fast-Tracking the Settlement of Commercial Disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution,” brought together heads of courts across Nigeria, judges, lawyers, business leaders, mediators, and policymakers to chart a new course for commercial dispute settlement in the country’s commercial capital.
Sanwo-Olu described ADR as a “judicial mechanism that brings peace and understanding, promoting sustainable development,” stressing that speed, efficiency, and trust are the lifeblood of modern commerce.
He noted that in a competitive global economy, prolonged litigation undermines business confidence and discourages investment.
“Businesses cannot afford to be trapped in disputes that drag on for years. ADR provides an avenue to resolve conflicts in weeks or months, not years, ensuring that trade continues, investments remain secure, and relationships are preserved,” he said.
The governor noted that since its establishment in 2002, the LMDC has grown from a bold experiment into a national model of court-connected mediation and arbitration.
According to him, it now handles thousands of cases yearly, many referred directly from the courts, a testament to stakeholders’ confidence in ADR’s fairness and efficiency.
Reaffirming Lagos’ pioneering status, Sanwo-Olu stated: “ADR is one of Lagos’s enduring legacies. We hold the bragging rights as the pacesetters of every forward-looking, efficient, and inclusive governance model in Nigeria.”
He further emphasised that ADR not only saves time and costs but also preserves business relationships, which are vital for entrepreneurs and small businesses whose survival depends on trust and collaboration.
To further strengthen the system, the governor called for greater public awareness, extensive training for mediators and arbitrators, and robust policy frameworks to make ADR clauses and outcomes more enforceable.
“Our administration will continue to support initiatives that strengthen the Multi-Door Courthouse network, fund capacity building, and encourage businesses to include ADR clauses in their contracts,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu therefore urged the judiciary, bar, business community, and government agencies to collaborate in building “a more predictable, investor-friendly, and peaceful business environment” that reflects the Lagos model of justice delivery.
Representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, in his remarks, called for stronger adoption of ADR and technology to deepen access to justice.
Justice Alogba conveyed the CJN’s support for ADR as a vital component of modern justice administration, stressing that Justice Kekere-Ekun remains a firm believer in mechanisms that promote timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes.
He noted that the summit represents another step in the judiciary’s continuous reforms toward a more efficient, accessible, and technology-driven justice system.
He commended the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse for its pioneering role in institutionalising ADR in Nigeria, describing it as “a model of innovation and practical reform” that continues to inspire similar initiatives across the country.
“The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse has, over the years, demonstrated how innovation and commitment can transform justice delivery, making it more people-oriented, time-saving, and business-friendly,” Justice Alogba said.
Delivering the keynote address, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, represented by Justice Antonia Mbaka, called for the institutional adoption of ADR mechanisms to fast-track the settlement of commercial disputes and boost investor confidence in Nigeria.
Justice Kanyip stressed that the efficiency of a nation’s justice system directly affects its economic competitiveness. “Time is the new currency,” he said, warning that delayed litigation drains resources, strains business relationships, and stifles development.
He identified mediation, arbitration, and court-connected ADR as effective tools for resolving disputes quickly and affordably.
“The adoption of ADR is not just an option but a strategic imperative, the courts must integrate ADR into their frameworks to decongest dockets and expedite justice,” he said.
She urged governments and the judiciary to strengthen legislative frameworks, support capacity building for mediators, and adopt online dispute resolution platforms to improve accessibility.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse Governing Council and Judge of the High Court of Lagos State, Justice Jumoke Pedro, reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to advancing justice reform through innovation and the promotion of ADR.
She commended Chief Judge Alogba for his visionary leadership and noted that the judiciary has achieved “monumental progress” in digital court systems, improved infrastructure, and judicial welfare.
“Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, a city that never sleeps and a marketplace of ideas and enterprise. Through mediation and arbitration, we have preserved relationships, sustained businesses, and promoted peace within timelines conventional litigation cannot match.”
Justice Pedro unveiled a new Lagos Fast-Track Initiative aimed at deepening access to justice and taking dispute resolution beyond the courtroom.
She urged participants to exchange ideas that would strengthen ADR practice and build a more inclusive, efficient, and accessible justice system in Lagos State.
