FG Strengthening Judiciary, Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution — Information Minister
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government is taking deliberate measures to strengthen Nigeria’s judiciary, improve access to justice and promote greater public awareness and utilisation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said.
Idris disclosed this in Abuja when the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) 2026 Investiture and Awards Night Ceremony, Mr. Dapo Akinosun, SAN, led a delegation of the Institute on a courtesy visit to him.
The Minister said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was strengthening the judiciary through increased support, improved infrastructure, legislative reforms and measures aimed at enhancing the welfare of judicial officers.
“President Tinubu is strengthening the judiciary through increased support, improved infrastructure, legislative reforms and measures to enhance the welfare of judicial officers,” Idris said.
He noted that the increasing pressure on the conventional court system made it necessary to promote public understanding and appropriate use of alternative mechanisms for resolving disputes.
“I believe people need to be made aware of other means of resolving disputes. You do not need to go to court for every matter,” the Minister said.
Idris stressed the importance of public enlightenment in ensuring that Nigerians understand the various alternative dispute resolution options available to them and make appropriate use of such mechanisms.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is willing to explore areas of collaboration with NICArb, particularly in public education and strategic communication, to deepen Nigerians’ understanding of arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Earlier, the Chairman of NICArb, Dapo Akinosun, SAN, explained that arbitration provides parties with a credible alternative to the conventional court process for resolving disputes.
“Arbitration provides Nigerians with a credible and effective alternative to litigation, and we are seeking to work with the Ministry of Information to deepen public awareness and understanding of alternative dispute resolution across the country,” Akinosun said.
He also invited the Minister and officials of the Ministry to participate in NICArb’s training and professional development programmes.
Akinosun further proposed collaboration between the Institute, the Ministry and its agencies to expand public understanding and acceptance of ADR mechanisms across the country.
The Minister welcomed the proposal and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with NICArb on initiatives aimed at promoting public enlightenment and deepening Nigerians’ understanding of alternative dispute resolution.
The meeting underscores the growing emphasis on arbitration and other ADR mechanisms as complementary tools for improving access to justice and reducing pressure on Nigeria’s courts.
Cover Photo Caption, L–R: Staff, Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), Emmanuel Kwaya; Co-Chairman, NICArb, Hajiya Hassana Bala; Chief Operating Officer, NICArb, Mr. Williams Odah; Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr; Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators 2026 Investiture & Awards Night Ceremony, Mr. Dapo Akinosun, SAN; Director-General, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali M. Ali; Member, NICArb, Prof. Oladele Akogan; and Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Comrade Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, fnipr, during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators to the Honourable Minister on October 7, 2026, in Abuja.
(FMINO Press)
