NICArb Announces 2024 Conference, Names Ali And Ajayi-Gbadebo As Chair And Co-chair
The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) has announced that its 2024 annual conference will commence on November 28 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The two-day hybrid event, themed “Transformation and Interventions: The Evolving Trends in Arbitration & ADR Practice in Africa,” will also feature an investiture and award ceremony.
The conference will be chaired by Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCArb), while Mrs. Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, FCArb, will serve as Co-chair and Chair of the Fundraising Committee.
The event is expected to be a groundbreaking session that will bring together multiple generations of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practitioners. Discussions will focus on the evolution of arbitration and ADR practices, with global experts, government officials, investors, and corporate leaders contributing to the dialogue. The aim is to facilitate recommendations for policy reforms and advancements in dispute resolution across Africa.
Key topics to be addressed include the role of governments in investor-state trade disputes, particularly within Africa’s extractive industry, and the implications of the Protocol on Investment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for resolving such disputes. The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on arbitration and ADR will also be a major focus, with discussions on the professional and ethical challenges it presents.
Participants will have the opportunity to network and collaborate with regional and international organizations, legal institutions, and government bodies, promoting knowledge-sharing and partnerships that will advance arbitration and ADR practices in Africa.
Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Life Member of the Body of Benchers, has held several notable positions, including Pro-Chancellor of Osun State University and Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria. He has also served in leadership roles within the International Bar Association and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Mrs. Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, a seasoned journalist and legal expert, is a Fellow of NICArb and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Her distinguished career includes roles at prominent Nigerian media houses such as Punch and Guardian, and she has also served as Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Sketch Newspapers. Ajayi-Gbadebo has a background in both journalism and law, holding multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Law (LLM) from the University of Lagos.
The NICArb 2024 conference promises to offer valuable insights into the future of arbitration and ADR in Africa, addressing critical issues affecting the continent’s legal and business landscape.
