Introduction
Nigeria has a massive infrastructure deficit with total infrastructure stock in the country amounting to 30% of gross domestic product (GDP). This falls short of the international benchmark of 70% set by the World Bank. Nigeria’s construction market is expected to grow by 5.7% in 2022, with an annual average growth of 3.2% between 2022 and 2026. (Source: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/nigeria-construction-sector).
From the above statistics it is very clear that the construction industry in Nigeria is a major viable sector of the economy with high potential for growth. The major players in construction projects in Nigeria usually rely on the expertise of construction professionals like: Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and Lawyers amongst others.
The big question then is whether there are enough qualified professionals that can provide first class services in the Nigerian construction industry as in obtainable in developed countries like the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Australia etc.
Knowledge Deficit in the Nigerian Construction Industry, Myth or Reality?
In an interview on arise television published on YouTube on 16th November 2021, Mr. Igbuan Okaisabor Chief Executive Officer of Construction Kaiser a leading indigenous construction company posited that “80% of the construction projects in Nigeria go to foreign firms and with that goes a lot of importation of foreign expertise.” (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj0cqbGMJWM).
A similar view was shared by Mr. Aninda Mitra an Indian Civil Engineer in a webinar presented to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Abuja Branch on 26th July 2023. Mr. Aninda Mitra submitted that “there is a shortage of Qualified Construction Lawyers to guide construction and resolve construction claims and disputes.”
The knowledge deficit in the construction appears to be even more widespread in the aspect of contract advisory, drafting and dispute resolution. Most construction projects funded by International Finance Institutions and Global Development Finance Institutions insist on the use of international contract suite like the FIDIC Form of Contract developed by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, which many lawyers and construction players are not conversant with.
When it comes to construction disputes the norm globally is to refer construction disputes to Dispute Avoidance Boards and Alternative Dispute Resolution due to the high level of expertise of the Adjudicators, Mediators, and Arbitrators etc. This yet again underscores the prospects that exists for qualified and experienced construction practitioners in construction dispute resolution.
How the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators Can Help Upskill Your Construction Practice
The Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators (ICIArb), formerly known as Society of Construction Industry Arbitrators (SCIARB), was established in 1993 as a specialist Arbitration and Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) body in the Construction Industry.
The Institute is the leading arbitral institution in the Construction Industry in Nigeria. The Institute was inaugurated on the 15th of October 1993, as a multi-disciplinary organization with members drawn from the professions related to the Construction Industry.
As a professional in the construction industry you can improve your knowledge of construction arbitration and earn industry recognized certifications as a Member or Fellow of the ICIArb when you enroll for any of the training courses offered by the ICIArb.
Admission to Member Grade is by way of the Membership Entry Training (MET). This training is for persons who have little or no knowledge of arbitration and is an introductory course to construction arbitration. The training combines basic arbitration and construction contract skills leading to the award of Member of the ICIArb.
The Fellowship Upgrade Course (FUC) on the other hand is an upgrade to the MET and focuses more on construction arbitration practice and procedure. The FUC combines high skill arbitration and construction training, leading to the award of Fellow of ICIArb.
Benefits of the ICIArb Training Programs
As the leading institution for construction arbitration in Nigeria, the ICIArb offers lots of value to construction professionals on a regular basis. These includes:
- Industry recognized certifications.
- Post training mentorship and support.
- Access to continuous professional development and knowledge sharing activities.
- Opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership.
- Access to a wide network of construction practitioners across various disciplines.
Conclusion
From available statistics it is very obvious that the construction industry in Nigeria will continue to witness more growth due to the massive infrastructure deficit in Nigeria. Therefore, there will always be need for qualified professionals to provide world class services on various construction projects, which will definitely include dispute resolution.
Since inception Thirty years ago, the ICIArb has been at the forefront of continuous professional development of construction practitioners which has brought a lot of professionalism and quality into the construction industry. This is an achievement worth celebrating. My final words of encouragement to you is to keep spreading the “gospel” of ICIArb to other construction professionals, because we are here to stay for a very long time to come.
Author – Sesi Hundeyin, F.ICIArb
