Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary, improving access to justice and promoting greater public awareness and use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
Idris said this when the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) 2026 Investiture & Awards Night Ceremony, Mr Dapo Akinosun led members of the Institute on a courtesy visit to him in Abuja.
The Minister said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was taking steps to strengthen the judiciary through increased support, improved infrastructure, legislative reforms and measures aimed at enhancing the welfare of judicial officers.
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“President Tinubu is strengthening the judiciary through increased support, improved infrastructure, legislative reforms and measures to enhance the welfare of judicial officers,” Idris said.
Idris noted that the growing pressure on the courts made it necessary to improve public understanding and encourage the use of alternative mechanisms for resolving appropriate 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,” he said.
He stressed the importance of public enlightenment in helping Nigerians understand and appropriately utilise alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
The Minister said the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation was prepared to explore areas of collaboration with the Institute, particularly in public education and strategic communication, to help Nigerians better understand arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of NICArb, Mr Dapo Akinosun, SAN, explained that arbitration provides parties with an alternative avenue for resolving disputes outside the conventional court process.
“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.
The NICArb Chairman also invited the Minister and officials of the Ministry to participate in the Institute’s training and professional development programmes.
He further proposed collaboration between the Institute, the Ministry and its agencies to expand public understanding of ADR.
The Minister welcomed the proposal and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to work with NICArb on initiatives aimed at promoting public enlightenment and deepening Nigerians’ understanding of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
