NICArb Annual Report 2022
The 2022 Annual Report highlights NICArb's journey through a year of recovery, renewal, and strategic repositioning. As the world emerged from pandemic disruptions, NICArb seized opportunities to innovate, digitalize, and strengthen its service delivery mechanisms. This report showcases our adaptability and commitment to serving the Nigerian ADR community. From pioneering virtual arbitration to expanding membership benefits, 2022 laid crucial groundwork for future growth. Our focus on technology integration, professional development, and advocacy yielded significant results. Stakeholders will find comprehensive information on membership demographics, training programmes, case administration, financial performance, governance activities, and strategic initiatives that defined our 2022 operations.
It is with immense pleasure that I present the Annual Report of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) for the year ended 2022. This Report reflects our Institute's commitment to excellence, professionalism, and the advancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nigeria and beyond. Our result for the year under review indicates that we are on course in our bold aspiration to build a leading institution that would consistently be at the forefront of developing alternatives to litigation in Nigeria and beyond. Reviewing our institute's operations in the past fiscal year allowed us to assess our strategies and position our institute for stronger sustainable growth. This report will give you a comprehensive overview of our achievements, financial performance, and future initiatives. I hope that this report will provide you with valuable insights into the progress we have made and the path we are charting for the future. Throughout the year, we witnessed remarkable growth in terms of membership and the reach of our programs. Our resolute team, comprising Arbitrators, Mediators, and Dispute Resolution Professionals, has worked tirelessly to uphold our core values and enhance the reputation of our institute by consistently delivering quality training that is in tune with changing realities in the global alternative dispute resolution space. We continue to expand the knowledge base of our members and stakeholders through new programmes that deal with emerging trends in arbitration and mediation. In the year under review, the institute recorded a remarkable increase in the enrolment of our online training, which is a significant testimonial of the impact of our sessions and more importantly, the institute's amenability to adopt new methods of learning and service delivery. As a demonstration of the institute's determination to remain susceptible to changes in the digital space, the institute's website was significantly upgraded in October 2022 to make it more interactive and user-friendly. This has to a considerable extent, helped prospective training enrollees. The upward review of new criteria for admission into our Fellowship program is a pointer to our resolve to insist on high-quality enrolment and the impact of our programs. In our bold and ambitious desire to give the institute a global outlook and increase its reach and coverage across Sub-Saharan Africa, we established a Francophone Project Unit with the mandate to initiate and consolidate the already established relationship with francophone organisations and maintain our status as the largest Arbitration and Mediation body in sub-Saharan Africa. Going into the Financial Year 2023, we are confident of further improving the narrative for Arbitration, Mediation, and the quest for Alternative Dispute Resolution as mechanisms for promoting sustainable national development in our country. Looking forward, we see an inspiring bright, and fulfilling future for our institute and country in general. One of the significant hallmarks of the year 2022 is the expansion of the NICARE initiative, which aims to increase our membership engagement by offering support to our members whose practices and livelihoods were affected by floods and other natural disasters to assist in their recovery and gain control of their future. On behalf of the Governing Council, and Members of our institute, I would like to express my deep thanks to the Management and Staff for their commitment, hard work, and dedication that translated into our 2022 results. Our employees remain one of our key assets. We are committed to ensuring the institute has the right level of employee engagement and motivation. The well-being and safety of our employees remain a key focus for us. Special appreciation also goes to the Council, whose vision and exemplary leadership ensure that our institute continues in the pursuit of its mission and objectives. We are optimistic that we will consolidate our recorded gains and continue advancing the institute's purpose and strategy. Together, we will continue to shape the dispute resolution landscape and drive positive change in the legal and business communities. We will surely secure the future by growing and sustaining a financially strong operating entity. So, get ready for the best! Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN, FCArb President, and Chairman of the Governing Council
The 2022 Annual Report highlights NICArb's journey through a year of recovery, renewal, and strategic repositioning. As the world emerged from pandemic disruptions, NICArb seized opportunities to innovate, digitalize, and strengthen its service delivery mechanisms. This report showcases our adaptability and commitment to serving the Nigerian ADR community. From pioneering virtual arbitration to expanding membership benefits, 2022 laid crucial groundwork for future growth. Our focus on technology integration, professional development, and advocacy yielded significant results. Stakeholders will find comprehensive information on membership demographics, training programmes, case administration, financial performance, governance activities, and strategic initiatives that defined our 2022 operations.