SPA Ajibade & Co. Announces Essay Competition Ahead of 19th Annual Business Luncheon
Competition challenges young Nigerian lawyers to examine whether a specialised forum for international commercial disputes could strengthen investor confidence.
SPA Ajibade & Co. has invited young lawyers to participate in its 19th Annual Business Luncheon Essay Competition, focusing on the role of specialised dispute resolution mechanisms in strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria.
The competition poses a topical question: “Strengthening Investor Confidence in Nigeria: Is Establishing a Specialised Nigerian Forum for the Settlement of International Commercial Disputes the Answer?”
The initiative provides an opportunity for young legal practitioners to examine Nigeria’s commercial dispute resolution framework and consider how the country can position itself as a more attractive destination for local and international investment.
*Who Can Participate?*
The competition is open to lawyers with between one and seven years of post-call experience.
Entries must not exceed 2,000 words and must comply with the OSCOLA referencing style. Essays should be prepared in Arial, font size 11, with 1.5 line spacing, and submitted in Microsoft Word format.
Submissions should be emailed to luncheon@spaajibade.com no later than 11:59 p.m. West Africa Time on November 7, 2026.
*Winners to Receive Professional Certification Support*
Successful participants stand to benefit from sponsorship of certification and examination fees for selected professional courses.
The winner can choose from options including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Nigerian Branch Introductory Course with the LawPavilion Primsol Advocate and Commercial Practitioners Package, ICSAN Certification, or Data Protection Officer Certification with the LawPavilion Primsol Advocate Package.
The first runner-up will be eligible for either the CIArb Nigerian Branch Introductory Course or specified fees relating to the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) Foundation programme.
The second runner-up can choose between Nigerian Gas Association Associate Membership with the LawPavilion Primsol Advocate Package and one of five listed World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) advanced courses: DL 201, DL 202, DL 301, DL 302 or DL 511.
The prizes are intended to support professional development and provide opportunities for young lawyers to strengthen their expertise in relevant areas of legal and commercial practice
*Winners to Be Announced in November*
The winners will be announced at the 19th Annual Business Luncheon of SPA Ajibade & Co., scheduled for Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Participants are also encouraged to register for and attend the event.
The competition comes at a time when questions surrounding investor protection, efficient dispute resolution and the development of Nigeria’s commercial legal infrastructure remain important to the country’s investment environment.
Whether a specialised Nigerian forum for international commercial disputes would offer a practical solution is the central question entrants are expected to explore.
Interested lawyers are to submit their essays to luncheon@spaajibade.com before the November 7 deadline.
Event: SPA Ajibade & Co. 19th Annual Business Luncheon
Essay submission deadline: November 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT
Luncheon date: November 26, 2026
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