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ARTICLE · 28 AUGUST 2026

Seating Arbitrations In Nigeria: A Strategic Evaluation Under The Arbitration And Mediation Act

Adeola Oyinlade & Co
Adeola Oyinlade & Co
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Adeola Oyinlade & Co

Adeola Oyinlade & Co

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Nigeria's Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 fundamentally transforms West Africa's dispute resolution framework by introducing mandatory judicial stays, emergency arbitrator provisions, and third-party funding mechanisms. How do these reforms position Nigeria as a competitive arbitral seat for international commercial transactions, and what strategic considerations should global counsel evaluate when drafting dispute resolution clauses for Nigerian-connected contracts?

NigeriaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Adeola Oyinlade & Co (HeadOffice)
Adeola Oyinlade & Co (HeadOffice)
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Historically, international counterparties entering commercial contracts in West Africa routinely insisted on off-shore arbitral seats such as London, Paris, or Singapore; citing concerns over enforcement delays, procedural rigidity, and judicial intervention under Nigeria’s legacy Arbitration and Conciliation Act (ACA) 1988.

The enactment of the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 (AMA) fundamentally reshapes West Africa’s dispute resolution landscape. By modernizing the statutory architecture, aligning domestic law with the UNCITRAL Model Law revisions, and introducing global innovations, the AMA establishes Nigeria as a competitive, pro-arbitration seat for cross-border commercial transactions, infrastructure projects, and energy investments.

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