Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has announced that the Federal Government is implementing strategic measures to bolster Nigeria’s judicial system and expand the utilization of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) channels for enhanced access to justice.
Idris stated this in Abuja when the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), Dapo Akinosun, SAN, led members of the institute on a courtesy visit to him.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was strengthening the judiciary through increased support, improved infrastructure, legislative reforms and measures to enhance the welfare of judicial officers.
“President Tinubu is strengthening the judiciary through increased support, improved infrastructure, legislative reforms and measures to enhance the welfare of judicial officers,” Idris said.
He said the growing pressure on the courts made it necessary to improve public understanding and use of alternative mechanisms for resolving appropriate disputes.
“I believe people need to be made aware of other means of resolving disputes. You do not need to go to court for every matter,” the minister said.
Idris said the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation was ready to explore areas of collaboration with NICArb, particularly in public education and strategic communication, to help Nigerians better understand arbitration and other ADR mechanisms.
Akinosun explained that arbitration offers parties an alternative to the conventional court process for resolving disputes.
“Arbitration provides Nigerians with a credible and effective alternative to litigation, and we are seeking to work with the Ministry of Information to deepen public awareness and understanding of alternative dispute resolution across the country,” he said.
The NICArb chairman also invited the minister and ministry officials to participate in the institute’s training and professional development programmes.
He further proposed collaboration between NICArb, the ministry and its agencies to expand public understanding of ADR across the country.
Idris welcomed the proposal and expressed the ministry’s readiness to work with the institute on initiatives aimed at promoting public enlightenment and increasing awareness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Nigeria.
What You Should Know
The Federal Government is actively pushing for the wider use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, such as arbitration and mediation, to ease the heavy workload on traditional courts and make justice more accessible to ordinary citizens.
- Positive Impact: Citizens can resolve disputes faster and more affordably without going through lengthy and expensive court trials. It also helps decongest Nigerian courts, allowing judges to focus on more critical cases.
- Potential Challenges: Public awareness of arbitration and mediation is still relatively low in Nigeria, meaning a robust public education campaign will be required for everyday people to fully embrace and trust these alternative channels over traditional litigation.
