ACCI, NCC-DRC Host Women in ADR and Business Summit 2026, Championing Inclusive Growth and Dispute Resolution Excellence
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre (NCC-DRC), successfully hosted the 2026 Women in ADR and Business Summit, convening key stakeholders, ADR practitioners, legal experts, and business leaders under the theme, “Women Leading Change in Advancing ADR Excellence and Business Growth.”
The Summit, held as part of activities marking International Women’s Day, served as a strategic platform for advancing dialogue on the role of women in strengthening dispute resolution and driving sustainable economic development.
In his keynote address, the President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, emphasised the importance of the Summit as both a celebration of women’s achievements and a forward-looking initiative to shape the future of dispute resolution and business growth.
He highlighted the ACCI’s commitment to promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) through the NCC-DRC as a vital tool for enhancing economic stability and investor confidence. According to him, women are increasingly playing transformative roles as mediators, arbitrators, negotiators, and thought leaders, bringing essential qualities such as integrity, emotional intelligence, and collaborative leadership to the evolving commercial landscape.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman of NCC-DRC, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, the Vice President Legal of ACCI, Aisha Ado Abdullahi, reiterated the Centre’s dedication to advancing excellence in ADR while promoting inclusivity and capacity development for women.
She noted that the Summit builds on the success of its inaugural edition and underscores the growing influence of women as leaders and innovators across boardrooms, courtrooms, and negotiation tables.
She further stressed the need for sustained platforms that foster knowledge sharing, networking, and expanded opportunities for women in the legal and business sectors.
The Registrar General of NCC-DRC, Mrs. Hauwa Kaka Usman, provided an overview of the Centre’s mandate and strategic role in enhancing access to justice and supporting a business-friendly environment while she explained that the NCCDRC offers a wide range of services, including arbitration, mediation, commercial dispute administration, and risk management, alongside training and capacitybuilding programmes for legal practitioners and businesses.
Hajia Usman highlighted the Centre’s commitment to innovation through initiatives such as online dispute resolution frameworks and the forthcoming Dispute Settlement Clinic Initiative. The Summit featured three high-level panel sessions addressing critical intersections between ADR and business.
Discussions focused on “Mediation as a Strategic Business Tool: Building Trust, Preserving Value, and Driving Sustainable Business Growth,” “ADR, Enterprise, and Economic Growth: Aligning Dispute Resolution with Business Sustainability,” and “Leadership, Ethics, and Innovation in ADR: Shaping the Future of Justice and Commerce.” These sessions provided practical insights and fostered robust dialogue on enhancing ADR practices to support economic resilience and business sustainability.
Speakers across sessions emphasised that empowering women in ADR is not only a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for economic growth. They noted that diverse leadership improves decision-making, governance, and _ institutional effectiveness, while calling for increased investment in mentorship, policy reforms, and deliberate inclusion of women in leadership roles within the ADR ecosystem.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage, share insights, and build lasting collaborations that extend beyond the Summit. The event also recognised the contributions of partners, speakers, and organizers whose efforts ensured its success, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms in Nigeria.
The ACCI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the NCC-DRC and promoting ADR as a catalyst for economic transformation. The Summit concluded with a collective call to action for stakeholders to deepen collaboration and continue advancing a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable business environment, with women playing a leading role in shaping the future of commerce and justice.
(ACCI Media, March 24, 2026)
