The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) has called for a shift toward data-driven institutional arbitration in Nigeria. It said that the lack of proper records on disputes had undermined the nation’s credibility in international arbitration and discouraged investors.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute, Shola John-Oshodi, who gave the charge yesterday, when she led a team, including Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson, Williams Idaho, Folashade Omotayo Awomolo-Enujiugha, Taiwo Ogbara, Any Omoloju and Stanley Chukwu, on a courtesy visit to Rutam House Head Office of The Guardian in Lagos, said that arbitration in Nigeria is conducted on an ad-hoc basis, leaving little or no data to analyse.

John-Oshodi said this prevents Nigeria from showcasing its progress in dispute resolution or measuring the scale of commercial conflicts resolved within its borders.

“The main challenge we face is the absence of data. When international organisations present figures on how many arbitration cases they have handled, what type of matters, and the amounts involved, Nigeria has nothing to show because most of our disputes are done on an ad-hoc basis. Institutional arbitration allows us to generate facts and figures, which are critical for credibility,” she said.

The NICArb chief, who also spoke on this year’s hybrid conference, themed “Strengthening Institutional Arbitration and ADR In Africa: Charting A New path,” which is scheduled to hold November 27-28, 2025, emphasised that adopting institutional arbitration would help Nigeria become a preferred seat of arbitration, reduce the need for disputes to be resolved abroad, and restore confidence among foreign investors.

However, the Institute revealed that it had recently overseen arbitration matters valued at over $1 billion, underscoring the economic importance of the practice.

John-Oshodi described arbitration as a “goldmine” for Nigeria, noting that its expansion could save the country from huge financial losses while boosting investor trust. She commended the Federal Government for adopting a new national arbitration policy, describing it as timely.

She warned that policies alone are not enough. She said that the NICArb, arbitration and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms could handle tenancy, family, and commercial disputes, which will allow courts to focus on constitutional and complex criminal cases.

The Institute, which also addressed Nigeria’s poor performance in high-profile arbitration cases, including the controversial Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) matter, condemned weak contract drafting and lack of timely government response.

She, however, lauded the government’s decision to subject all major contracts to review by the Federal Ministry of Justice before signing, saying it would help prevent future embarrassments.

Also, Dada-Lawanson said that beyond arbitration, the NICArb is extending its expertise to peace-building initiatives, particularly in conflict-prone regions, such as the North-East.

Dada-Lawanson said that through partnerships with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other stakeholders, the Institute is training community leaders on conflict resolution.

She urged the government to address the root causes of insecurity.In his remark, Ogbara said the Institute is keen on working with the media to promote awareness about arbitration, stressing that sensitisation is critical for building trust in ADR.