Zamfara State House of Assembly Undertakes Learning Tour of Lagos Assembly and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanism

.... Lagos is a pace setter - Zamfara Speaker

...... Access to justice is a right and not privilege - International Alert Nigeria country director 












The members of the Zamfara State house of assembly have undertaken a learning tour of the Lagos State House of assembly and the state alternative dispute resolution mechanism with a view to replicating it Zamfara State to enable access to justice, reduce the over burden of the regular court and fasten the dispensation of justice.

Revealing this to journalists in a press conference in Lagos today 11th September 2025 was the leader of the team and speaker of the Zamfara State house of assembly, right honourable Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, who informed the newsmen at the parley that the Zamfara State house of assembly undertook the learning tour as a result of an executive bill for the establishment of an alternative dispute resolution centre which has passed second reading and has been forwarded to the house committee on judiciary and other matters for consideration. 

According to speaker Moriki, Lagos and Kaduna states having pioneered the setting up of the alternative dispute resolution centres to enable citizens and residents access justice, reduce the work load of the judiciary, fasten the dispensation of justice among other factors, necessitated the learning tour.

In his words, "We choose Lagos as our role model of study because of it's significant strides in governance which is unparalleled". The speaker also noted that the alternative dispute resolution center in Lagos was established in 2002 and because of it's sustainability and success stories over the years, made it the centre of learning for the legislators in fashioning the Zamfara State own in it's mould.


The speaker applauded the Zamfara state government for the executive bill for the creation of the alternative dispute resolution center which was a clarion call to the pressing social issues in the state which range from communal conflicts, marital, hereditary, gender crisis, domestic violence, etc which needed to be addressed through a process that makes the dispensation of justice faster and cheaper for the ordinary citizen.

The speaker was full of praise for International Alert Nigeria for being a worthy partner and collaborator for the good of Zamfara State, just as he urged them to continue to strengthen their societal engagements for the good of the people. He also lauded other civil society, non governmental organizations and the media in Zamfara State for their contributions and collaboration towards making life better for the people.

Mr Speaker informed the August gathering of the visits of the delegation comprising members of the Zamfara State house of assembly, the management of the house of assembly represented by the clerk, the Zamfara State solicitor general, civil society and non governmental organizations and the media to the Lagos State House of assembly and the ADR where they learnt about the workings.

In his own remarks at the occasion, the country director of International Alert Nigeria Mr. Kingsley Udo noted that it's collaboration with Zamfara State house of assembly on Strengthening Inclusive and Conflict Sensitive Justice System for Sustainable Peace and Resilience in Nigeria is supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) aims to enhance the capacity of government institutions and stakeholders to manage natural resource induced conflicts and improve security governance through strategic engagements, policy development and coalition building.

Mr Udo was full of praises for the Zamfara State house of assembly for choosing existing and successful alternative dispute resolution mechanism within Nigeria, rather than going outside our shores to understudy and replicate.

According to him, " I am proud as a Nigerian to see that the lawmakers of Zamfara State did not choose to go abroad to learn and adopt ADR model, instead they came to Lagos where practical proven systems are already transforming the way justice is delivered, making it more accessible, more affordable and more trusted by citizens".

Mr. Udo emphasized that access to justice is not a privilege but a right, when denied, grievances fester and conflicts escalates. To him, the Zamfara State ADR center, once established, is expected to serve as a model for other states, just as Lagos has, showing that local solutions can address Nigeria's justice challenges.

The International Alert country director, also lauded other civil society and non governmental organizations and the media for being partners in progress.

The clerk of the Zamfara State house of assembly Muhammed Aliyu and the state solicitor general Barr. Musa Garba who are members of the delegation, noted that the bill was a timely and inclusive one to address a social problem that has been identified in the state, just as they both commended the speaker for his leadership quality in setting standards in governance in Zamfara State. 

Mr Sunday Jimoh, the programme manager of International Alert Nigeria, also spoke extensively on the learning tour and how his organization has been collaborating in conjunction with other non governmental organizations to shapen and redirect the narrative in Zamfara State for the good of the people.