Nigeria: Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

Arbitration clauses serve as the jurisdictional foundation for dispute resolution in Nigeria's commercial landscape, yet poorly drafted provisions continue to undermine ADR proceedings.

This appraisal examines the current procedure for arresting ships in Nigerian waters, exploring the legal framework established by the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act and the 2023 Procedure Rules. It analyzes the practical challenges faced by litigants, ship owners, and courts in enforcing this maritime remedy, while proposing solutions to improve jurisdictional clarity, prevent wrongful arrests, and manage forum tensions in international shipping disputes.

Nigeria's Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 fundamentally transforms the country's arbitration framework by codifying the seat of arbitration doctrine in alignment with international standards.

For international companies considering Nigeria, courtroom delays are costly: commercial cases can take five years or more, and litigation may consume up to 15% of the disputed sum.

Disputes are inevitable in every relationship; they may be civil, commercial, or domestic in nature. In Nigeria, where the court system often faces significant delays due to backlogged...

A fuel supplier failed to deliver 2 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil despite receiving ₦705 million upfront payment, leading to litigation that ultimately resulted in a court-enforced settlement.

Commercial contracts are the foundation of most business relationships.

The Federal High Court, coram Honourable Justice A.O. Owoeye, had on 10th April 2025, delivered its decision on an originating motion filed by Bayshore Technologies Limited (“Bayshore”) against Green Fuels Limited (“Green Fuels”) in respect...

Globalisation has not merely transformed the world into a global village for social interaction; it has fundamentally reconfigured the architecture of international commerce.