The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), Nigeria’s foremost body for professional Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), hosted its Special Induction Ceremony on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre.
The event marked a historic milestone in the Institute’s journey, with over 1,700 newly certified Associate Members and 11 Fellows formally inducted into the Institute. These inductees included participants from the Admission to Fellow (ATF) Lagos Cohort and students of the Nigerian Law School, further positioning ICMC as a leader in the training and certification of mediators and conciliators across Nigeria and Africa.
At a time when Nigeria’s legal system faces mounting challenges, ranging from overburdened courts to prolonged litigation and increasing commercial disputes, this ceremony was not just a celebration; it was a clarion call to a new generation of lawyers to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a dynamic and forward-thinking pathway to modern legal practice.
In a stirring address, Godwin Omoaka, SAN, FICMC, FCIArb, President of the Institute, warmly welcomed the new inductees and charged the inductees to see mediation not just as a skill, but as a responsibility. He reminded them that becoming a member of ICMC signifies a deep commitment to restoring relationships, fostering dialogue, and resolving conflicts across every layer of society.
“You are now ambassadors of mediation, a discipline that plays a critical role in restoring relationships, promoting harmony, and resolving conflicts in our homes, workplaces, courts, and across the globe,” he affirmed.
He emphasized that the title of ‘Mediator’ goes beyond a certificate; it is a lifelong commitment to empathy, integrity, and non-adversarial resolution. In joining a professional community of about 20,000 trained mediators, the inductees are now part of a growing movement to transform the justice system and embed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the heart of legal and civic processes in Nigeria and beyond.
Babatunde Oyefeso, FICMC, Registrar of ICMC, underscored the importance of the occasion, urging inductees to see their entry into the Institute as a call to serve as mediators, bridge-builders, and advocates of justice.
“Today, you do not just enter an institute, you inherit a calling… to mediate conflict, build bridges, and uphold justice at every table where peace is brokered,” he said.
He encouraged the new members to actively engage with ICMC’s 22 branches across Nigeria, participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes, and join the Volunteer Mediation Scheme (VMS) to gain practical experience.
Delivering the keynote address was Chief Emeka J.P. Obegolu, SAN, Ph.D., FICMC, FCIArb, Past President of ICMC, whose insightful speech titled “Mediation Training Can Enhance Law Practice” challenged the inductees to expand their legal relevance through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
“Litigators win cases. Mediators preserve futures. You are not turning away from the law. You are expanding it. Deepening it. Humanizing it,” he declared.
Chief Obegolu urged the new mediator-lawyers to lead with integrity, empathy, and courage, serving as problem-solvers beyond the courtroom. He emphasized the growing demand for commercial mediators across sectors like oil and gas, telecoms, banking, and technology, where businesses seek faster, cost-effective, and relationship-driven solutions. He called on the inductees to seize this opportunity and help shape a more peaceful and progressive legal landscape.
In conclusion, President Godwin Omoaka, SAN, FICMC, FCIArb, encouraged the new inductees to take an active role in advancing mediation nationwide, using their training to make meaningful contributions within and beyond the legal system.
The Special Induction Ceremony underscored ICMC’s continued leadership in shaping a more collaborative and accessible approach to justice. With their new status, the inductees are now positioned to create real impact, resolving disputes, bridging divides, and supporting a legal culture that values dialogue and lasting solutions.
Together, we move forward!
Together, we mediate for peace!
For more information about ICMC, kindly visit: www.icmcng.org