Training Institute Pledges Legal Support for ADR Organisations to Achieve Accreditation, Chartering

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Mediation Training Institute, Nigeria, has committed to helping Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) organisations across Nigeria comply fully with national regulatory and legal requirements.

In a statement signed by its President, Ambassador Segun Ogunyannwo, MTI-Nigeria said it would support ADR institutions in obtaining accreditation from the Centre for Management Development (CMD) and assist in facilitating the passage of charter bills through the National Assembly.

Ogunyannwo explained that under the Nigerian Council for Management Development (NCMD) Act, 2022, every organisation engaged in training and consultancy must be CMD-accredited, along with its three principal officers – typically the President, Registrar, and Director of Training.

Certificates issued by unaccredited organisations are considered invalid and unlawful.

“Our investigations confirm that MTI-Nigeria remains the only ADR body in the country fully compliant with CMD accreditation requirements for both the organisation and its principal officers,” Ogunyannwo stated.

He emphasized that MTI-Nigeria is ready to assist other ADR institutions to regularise their operations, noting that collaboration should take precedence over competition in Nigeria’s ADR sector.

Ambassador Ogunyannwo also cautioned against the misleading use of the term “Chartered” by organisations that have not completed the legislative process.

To be officially chartered, an institute must have a Bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and receive Presidential assent, granting it statutory recognition and authority.

“Using the title ‘Chartered’ without completing this process is deceptive,” he said. “Some organisations even claim that their members are chartered despite the institute itself not being legally recognised. This is impossible – nothing comes from nothing.”

He urged transparency among ADR institutions and advised practitioners to verify two critical points with their organisations: whether both the institute and its principal officers are CMD-accredited, and whether any claim of being “Chartered” is backed by an Act of Parliament.

Ogunyannwo also expressed concern over institutions operating without a charter bill while collecting fees from members.

“Citizens who invest in training deserve assurance that their certificates are valid and legally recognised,” he said.

Reaffirming MTI-Nigeria’s commitment to professional standards, he said the Institute is ready to guide all ADR organisations to achieve legal compliance and proper chartering.

“It is better to seek assistance to do the right thing than to mislead the public,” he concluded. “What affects one affects the entire ADR community.”

Interested organisations are encouraged to contact MTI-Nigeria for guidance on CMD accreditation and legislative chartering.