Senior judicial officers, policymakers, labour leaders and international stakeholders will converge on Abuja on Thursday, 12 February 2026, for the fourth edition of the International Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum (I-LAAF).
The forum, organised by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), is themed Access to Labour Justice in a Rapidly Changing World of Work.
According to the organisers, deliberations will examine the implications of technological disruption, non-standard employment relationships, and emerging forms of work for labour justice systems worldwide.
Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, said the forum was launched in 2023 as a national dialogue on labour dispute resolution but has since evolved into an international platform addressing the changing architecture of labour justice.
“Over the years, the forum has contributed significantly to jurisprudential discourse and strengthened tripartite engagement on labour adjudication and arbitration,” Oyerinde said.
“Our goal is to continue promoting constructive engagement and driving reforms that strengthen the labour justice system, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of employers, workers, and society in a rapidly changing world of work,” he added.
The keynote address will be delivered by Justice Lelio Bentes Corrêa, President of Brazil’s Superior Labour Court.
Other speakers expected at the event include Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal; Justice B.B. Bakwaph Kanyip, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria; Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress; and Ms. Jacqueline Mugo, President of the International Organisation of Employers.
The annual forum is expected to provide a platform for dialogue on reforms aimed at strengthening labour adjudication and arbitration frameworks in response to evolving workplace realities.
