Muhammad Akindele reports
Mujahid Musa, a 400-level law student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has secured the prestigious position of Tribunal Secretary at the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce Dispute Resolution Center (NCC-DRC).
Musa’s induction was confirmed through an official mail received on Friday, October 15, 2023.
The NCC-DRC stands as a preeminent institution specializing in extrajudicial resolution of commercial disputes.
Renowned for its expertise, the center provides a spectrum of services, including arbitration, mediation, and various alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
Expressing initial emotions, Musa shared, “I felt excited the moment I read the email for the email job offer. However, I later on felt nervous for stepping into a virtually new environment and also, I felt discouraged looking at the heavy amount we are required to pay for the induction ceremony.”
Speaking, Musa highlighted the significance of his role as Tribunal Secretary, emphasizing its role in ensuring the smooth conduct of arbitration hearings. He believes that this experience will be invaluable for his future career as a lawyer.
His words: “ Arbitration is one of the spectrums of ADR where a dispute is resolved through the intervention of a neutral umpire who gives a final award. This award is final and can be enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Running this with studying law isn’t really a big deal; I made it clear in my cover letter that I can only be available during holidays, and they were satisfied with that.”
According to him, his interest in ADR is fueled by a keen awareness of the backlog of cases in Nigerian courts and a desire to distinguish himself in the competitive legal market.
“Companies don’t really resort to litigation because it’s adversarial, time-consuming, and frustrating, They prefer out-of-court settlements. So, as a 21st-century lawyer, you need to improvise.”
Speaking further, he offered advice to aspiring professionals in arbitration.
“Make up your mind! There are plenty of courses available from organizations like ICMC, CIArb, NICIArb, and IAR. Enroll!”