‘Law can unlock billions in investments for Nigeria’ – NIALS DG

Nigeria’s successful bid to host the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank has been described as a major diplomatic victory that proves strategic investment in international law and diplomacy is critical to national development.

The above description came at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Law and Diplomacy, a one-week intensive course organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in partnership with the International Law Association (ILA) Nigerian Branch which was held in Abuja.

Themed Leveraging International Diplomacy for Investment, Finance and Sustainable Development, the course is designed to equip lawyers, practitioners, and policymakers with specialised skills to negotiate win-win foreign trade and investment deals for Nigeria.

In his keynote address, the former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, posited that diplomacy has become one of the most important currencies for national development.

According to him, “In many respects, diplomacy has become one of the most important currencies of national development. The foundation of successful diplomacy is trust. Without trust, treaties, and partnerships rarely endure.”

Ambassador Ella hailed the Federal Government (FG) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for securing the hosting rights for the Africa Energy Bank after stiff competition from Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire.

Established by the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) in partnership with Afreximbank, the bank is scheduled to commence operations in Abuja in September 2026.

The Ambassador further commended NIALS and the ILA Nigeria for investing in the next generation of negotiators.

The Director General of NIALS, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan, in his welcome address, insisted that Nigeria must deploy its best minds at the negotiation table.

He said, “The quality of people sent to negotiate at the diplomatic level must consistently reflect the best minds to maximise Nigeria’s potential to attract win-win international trade and investments.”

For the President of the ILA Nigeria, Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, who is also the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar, he revealed that recent geopolitical tensions have made skilled international lawyers more crucial than ever.

In his words: “Recent geopolitical events, including the US-Iran war, politicisation of energy transit routes, unilateral trade tariffs, competition for critical minerals, and climate change, emphasise the urgent need for international law practitioners who can promote cooperative solutions.”

The SAN added that the course offers a milestone opportunity to strengthen Nigeria and Africa’s voice on the global stage.

Other dignitaries at the event included Prof. Olufemi Elias, Judge Ad hoc of the International Court of Justice and Member of the International Law Commission.