The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) successfully hosted a two-day Refresher Training Workshop for its Body of Neutrals.
Organized in partnership with Capehouse Consulting International Limited and The Dispute Solution Hub Limited (TDSH), the workshop aimed to reinforce the expertise, ethical standards, and procedural efficiency of mediators in resolving disputes within Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
The training was meticulously designed to refresh participants on core mediation principles, ethics, and global best practices, emphasizing the importance of neutrality, impartiality, and confidentiality in dispute resolution. It also deepened understanding of ADRC’s procedural guidelines and statutory obligations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, exploring legal and regulatory nuances specific to upstream petroleum disputes.
Furthermore, the workshop enhanced mediators’ knowledge of host community dynamics, grievances, and conflict triggers in the oil and gas sector, discussing effective engagement strategies to foster sustainable community-industry relations. It clarified NUPRC’s expectations regarding mediator conduct, accountability, and transparency, addressing stakeholder concerns from host communities, oil companies, and regulatory bodies.
The training strengthened practical skills in caucusing, active listening, negotiation tactics, and impasse resolution, incorporating case simulations and role-playing exercises to reinforce real-world application.
The workshop underscored ADRC’s commitment to maintaining a credible, efficient, and impartial dispute resolution mechanism in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Key outcomes included elevated professional standards, strengthened stakeholder confidence, procedural enhancements, and sustainable conflict prevention.
Plans are underway for quarterly specialized training sessions to keep neutrals updated on evolving sectoral and legal developments. The ADRC will also enhance engagement with host communities, oil firms, and legal experts to ensure inclusive dispute resolution and explore digital case management tools to streamline mediation processes.
The refresher training reaffirmed ADRC’s pivotal role in fostering fair, timely, and cost-effective dispute resolution under the PIA. By equipping neutrals with advanced skills and updated knowledge, the workshop contributes to a more stable, transparent, and investor-friendly petroleum sector in Nigeria.
