Understanding Investment Treaty Arbitration In Nigeria

Investment treaty  arbitration in Nigeria involves the settlement of the claim of a foreign investor against Nigeria for alleged breaches of investor protections contained in a bilateral (concluded between two states) or multilateral (concluded amongst a group of states) investment treaty, pursuant to an arbitration agreement contained within the investor-state dispute settlement provisions of the relevant treaty.

A standard bilateral or multilateral treaty provides for  arbitration as a means of  dispute resolution in the event of a dispute. It is this arbitration that is called  Investment Treaty Arbitration.

Let me give a scenario where Nigeria signs a treaty with the United Kingdom, allowing for members of the British society to come invest in Nigeria. What is signed by both nations is called an  Investment Treaty. As a result of the treaty, a British national decides to come and invest in in the Nigerian economy. She signs agreements with certain