Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has urged the Nigerian judiciary to prioritise the speedy resolution of commercial disputes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen investor confidence and improve the ease of doing business.
Speaking at the National Judicial Reform Conference in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Fagbemi said accelerating commercial adjudication is critical for protecting contracts, investments, and entrepreneurship—from small businesses in Lafia to international companies operating abroad.
He stressed that a justice system that is slow or unpredictable ultimately harms economic development, increases business risks, and discourages innovation.
Fagbemi called for broader integration of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and pre-action engagement mechanisms, noting that these tools will ease court congestion and help reduce the growing backlog of commercial case filings nationwide.
Describing the conference theme, “Interoperability between Access to Justice and the Ease of Doing Business,” as timely, the Attorney-General said the judicial reforms align with the Bola Tinubu administration’s economic agenda.
According to him, reforms targeting case lifespan, structured ADR integration, and digital court tools will help SMEs and investors navigate disputes more efficiently.
He challenged the judicial reform team to set measurable performance benchmarks—including reducing the average duration of commercial cases, adopting technology-driven processes, and ensuring predictable dispute-resolution timelines.
Fagbemi emphasised that swift and transparent justice delivery is not merely a legal obligation but an economic necessity, especially in an environment where business survival, investor trust, and economic competitiveness rely on strong institutional support.
