Lagos Leads Push for Business-Friendly Justice System at ADR Forum

Lagos Leads Push for Business-Friendly Justice System at ADR Forum
Justice Pedro explained that the Mobile ADR Clinic would reduce litigation costs
The CJN urged stakeholders to strengthen and mainstream ADR to reduce court congestion

The call for a more efficient, inclusive, and business-friendly justice system resonated strongly on Tuesday as legal luminaries, government officials, and private sector players converged on Lagos for the 2nd Annual Multi-Door Courthouses and ADR Stakeholders Summit.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the summit, themed “Fast-Tracking the Settlement of Commercial Disputes Through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR),” underscored the collective resolve to promote ADR as a sustainable pathway to timely and cost-effective justice delivery.

Delivering the goodwill message of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat K. M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, highlighted the transformative role of ADR in Nigeria’s legal landscape.

Justice Alogba conveyed the CJN’s emphasis on mediation and arbitration as crucial tools that offer quicker and more affordable alternatives to litigation, particularly for commercial disputes. The CJN urged stakeholders to strengthen and mainstream ADR to reduce court congestion and expand access to justice for citizens and businesses.

Representing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the efficiency of dispute resolution remains pivotal to sustaining Lagos’s reputation as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre.

“In an era where time is money, businesses cannot afford to be trapped in lengthy legal battles. Commercial activities are the pivot of economic development, and speed, efficiency, and trust are the lifeblood of modern commerce,” she said.

The Governor reaffirmed that Lagos, the first state to establish the Multi-Door Courthouse model in Nigeria remains committed to pioneering judicial innovation. He pledged continued government support to strengthen the ADR framework, fund capacity development, and encourage the inclusion of ADR clauses in commercial contracts.

Lagos Leads Push for Business-Friendly Justice System at ADR Forum

During the summit, Salu-Hundeyin unveiled the Mobile ADR Clinic, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to extend justice services to rural and underserved communities. She was joined by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, Hon. Justice Jumoke O. Pedro, and other dignitaries at the unveiling.

Justice Pedro explained that the Mobile ADR Clinic would reduce litigation costs and enhance access to justice through mediation and other ADR mechanisms.

“This innovation reaffirms Lagos State’s leadership in judicial modernization and its commitment to making justice accessible, efficient, and aligned with the needs of a modern economy,” she said.

In her keynote address, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, represented by Hon. Justice Anthonia Ubaka, emphasized ADR’s growing importance in resolving workplace disputes amicably.

Justice Kanyip cited benefits such as cost reduction, faster resolution, and preservation of relationships, calling for sustained institutional support for ADR integration in Nigeria’s justice system.