The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) is pleased to announce the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement with the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC). This strategic partnership aims to enhance the arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) landscape and foster stronger economic and trade relations between Nigeria and China.
The signing ceremony took place during the China-Africa International Arbitration Cooperation Conference /China-Africa Trade Export in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. The President/Chairman, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN was represented by the Registrar/CEO of NICArb Mrs Shola Oshodi- John who attended the event as a keynote speaker and panel discussant. Mr. WANG Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC represented CIETAC at the signing ceremony. The event took place 13th – 15th June 2025.
According to Mrs Oshodi-John, FCArb, the agreement marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between the two leading arbitration institutions. Under the terms of the agreement, NICArb and CIETAC will work together to promote arbitration and mediation as a preferred method of dispute resolution in international trade and investment. The cooperation will include the exchange of ideas, joint hosting of seminars, conferences, and training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of arbitrators in both countries. This agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s arbitration and mediation frameworks and build closer ties with our counterparts in China. We are confident that this partnership will lead to more efficient and effective commercial dispute resolution, benefiting both countries’ businesses and investors.”
Mr. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman of CIETAC, echoed these sentiments, saying, “We are delighted to partner with NICArb in this important initiative. By working together, we can leverage our collective expertise to promote arbitration and mediation as a reliable and efficient means of resolving disputes. This cooperation will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of economic and trade relations between China and Nigeria.”
The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) is the premier Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute in Sub-Saharan Africa, founded in 1979 by the late renowned legal luminary and former Judge of the World Court in The Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola SAN, KBE, CFR. NICArb is dedicated to promoting the practice and growth of arbitration and ADR in Nigeria. CIETAC, one of the world’s leading arbitration institutions, has a long history of providing high-quality arbitration services for international commercial disputes.
This cooperation agreement is expected to pave the way for increased collaboration and knowledge sharing between NICArb and CIETAC, ultimately contributing to the advancement of arbitration and mediation practices in Nigeria and China.