Jos, Nigeria — In a landmark effort to strengthen inclusive justice and sustainable peace in Plateau State, the Plateau MultiDoor Courthouse (PMDC) and the Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative (TRICentre), with support from the Government of Sweden through the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), convened a two-day high-impact capacity-building workshop on Collaborative and Alternative Dispute Resolution (CDR/ADR). The programme was held under the project “Improving Access to Women’s Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Rights through Legislative Actions and Strengthening Institutional Capacity in Plateau State.”
The workshop brought together a carefully selected group of government stakeholders drawn from the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, the Ministry of Lands, Survey & Town Planning, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Plateau Peacebuilding Agency. Participants engaged in an immersive blend of theory, cultural reflection, and practical exercises—gaining critical skills to address disputes efficiently, fairly, and in ways that respect the cultural and social fabrics of their communities.
Day One — Foundations, Culture & Systems — opened with a keynote by Hon. Justice Nafisah Lawal, Chairperson of the PMDC, who underscored the centrality of ADR in unclogging the courts, preserving relationships, and promoting community stability. Sessions delved into the ADR spectrum—from negotiation to arbitration—conflict analysis tools for both traditional and formal systems, restorative justice principles, mediation within cultural frameworks, and integrating gender equity into mediation practices.
Day Two — Skills, Applications & Certification — moved participants into deep practical engagement. Facilitated by Dr. Prince Charles Dickson, Lead Facilitator and seasoned peace practitioner, alongside other expert trainers, the day focused on mediation and negotiation techniques, public sector opportunities for arbitration, the mediator’s code of conduct, and understanding personality and communication styles in dispute resolution. Through highly interactive role plays, case studies, and small claims court simulations, participants not only applied their learning but also honed the capacity to mediate real-life disputes with cultural sensitivity and legal precision.
In addition to technical content, the training offered a rare platform for inter-agency dialogue. Stakeholders from different ministries and commissions shared experiences, identified overlapping mandates, and explored collaborative approaches to tackling disputes over housing, land, and property rights—issues often at the heart of community tension. This cross-pollination of ideas created an enabling environment for partnerships that will outlive the workshop.
Justice Lawal, in closing, remarked that “ADR is not just an alternative to litigation—it is a transformative tool for building trust, mending broken relationships, and fostering a culture of dialogue rather than confrontation.” Her words echoed the sentiment of many participants who recognised that the skills acquired were not merely professional tools but instruments for societal healing.
The workshop concluded with a reflective session on Building Community Cohesion through Mediation and the presentation of certificates. This moment symbolised more than a formal completion—it marked the strengthening of a culturally responsive, government-led justice network ready to serve the people of Plateau State.
Jil Freeson, NRC ICLA Project Officer, in his remarks, encouraged participants to explore ways the learnings from this training could be of immense benefit to the people of Plateau State. He highlighted that when government actors adopt ADR approaches, they not only resolve disputes more quickly but also foster an atmosphere where communities can resolve conflicts before they escalate.
Participants left the training with renewed enthusiasm, practical strategies, and a shared vision for embedding ADR into public sector operations. The commitment to take these lessons back into their respective agencies underscored the long-term impact of the workshop. As they return to their roles, they do so not just as officials but as ambassadors of dialogue—bridging gaps between communities, institutions, and justice systems, and laying a stronger foundation for peace, inclusion, and equitable development in Plateau State.
