Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has advocated for the integration of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) frameworks to enhance the commercial legal landscape throughout Africa. Speaking at the 3rd Africa Chief Justices’ ADR Summit in Nairobi, she highlighted that the prosperity of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) relies heavily on stable and predictable legal institutions rather than just trade policies.
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that judicial leaders must anticipate the legal complexities accompanying increased intra-African trade, such as banking, tax, and digital commerce disputes. She suggested that rather than focusing solely on litigation, systems should prioritize proactive dispute-prevention measures to foster investor confidence.
Highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to these standards, she pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in EMTS v. AFDIN Ventures Ltd. & Ors. (2026) as a benchmark for protecting arbitration agreements. Furthermore, she commended the Tax Appeal Tribunal as a successful model for institutional reform. During the summit, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of the Africa Chief Justices’ ADR Forum, a role she will assume on August 1, 2026. Attendees concluded the meeting by committing to harmonize regional resolution processes to streamline commercial justice.
