The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the International Law Association Nigeria Branch have entered a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening legal and policy expertise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through a specialised certificate programme in international trade law.

The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing an Advanced Certificate Course in International Trade Law with a focus on AfCFTA Law and Policy in Africa.

The agreement was signed during a courtesy visit by the ILA-Nigeria delegation to the office of the Director-General of NILDS.

Director-General of NILDS, Prof Abubakar O. Sulaiman, signed the MoU on behalf of the institute, while Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), President of ILA-Nigeria, signed on behalf of the association.

Olawuyi, who also serves as Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights in Geneva and holds the UNESCO Chair on Environmental and Sustainable Development Law in Doha, Qatar, is expected to bring significant international expertise to the initiative.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior officials from both organisations.

Representing NILDS were the Director of the AfCFTA Law and Policy Programme Division, M. T. Ladan; Director of Legal Affairs, S. Danwanka and the Technical Assistant to the Director-General, Dr Doris Aaron.

ILA-Nigeria was represented by two members of its Executive Committee.

According to the institutions, the specialised course is designed to equip legal practitioners, policymakers, legislators and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills required to understand and effectively navigate the complex legal framework of the AfCFTA.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to engage with continental trade rules and maximise the opportunities presented by the African free trade regime.

The partnership draws on the academic and legislative training mandate of NILDS as well as the international legal expertise of the ILA to provide capacity-building programmes that support the effective implementation of AfCFTA agreements across Africa.

Founded in Brussels in 1873, the International Law Association is dedicated to the study, development and clarification of international law, both public and private.