Unaccredited ADR Institutions: A Growing Crisis in Nigeria’s Professional Landscape
Did you know that the credibility of professional training in Nigeria is under threat? The Mediation Training Institute (MTI-Nigeria) has sounded a startling alarm: numerous Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) institutions across the country are operating illegally, lacking the necessary accreditation from the Centre for Management Development (CMD). But here’s where it gets controversial: this unchecked proliferation of unregulated bodies is not just a legal issue—it’s eroding public trust and creating a credential validation crisis that could undermine the entire professional development ecosystem.
In a recent statement delivered in Abuja, Ambassador Segun Ogunyannwo, President of MTI-Nigeria, highlighted the gravity of the situation. According to the Nigerian Council for Management Development (NCMD) Act 2022, all organizations engaged in training and consultancy, along with their top three officers, must be accredited by CMD before issuing certificates or conducting professional inductions. And this is the part most people miss: any institution operating without this accreditation is not only illegal but also unqualified to train, certify, or induct professionals. Their certificates? Invalid.
Ogunyannwo didn’t stop there. He called out the misuse of the term “chartered” by some ADR bodies, emphasizing that only organizations established by an Act of the National Assembly and assented to by the President can legitimately claim this title. Here’s the kicker: some institutions boldly label themselves “chartered” without any legal basis, misleading the public and tarnishing the reputation of legitimate bodies. As Ogunyannwo pointed out, “An institute must be established by law before it can be chartered—anything else is a falsehood.”
What’s even more concerning is the apparent lack of legislative backing for these institutions. Ogunyannwo noted, “Some of these ADR institutions don’t even have a Bill on the floor of the National Assembly. It’s very strange.” He suggested that their primary motive seems to be financial gain, exploiting unsuspecting individuals and members for profit.
This raises a critical question: How can citizens trust the credentials they earn when the institutions issuing them operate outside the regulatory framework? Ogunyannwo stressed that when organizations misrepresent their legal status, it’s not just the institutions at fault—it’s the entire system that suffers. Those investing time and money in training programs deserve the assurance that their efforts are recognized and valid.
MTI-Nigeria stands as a beacon of compliance in this chaotic landscape, being the only ADR institution fully accredited by CMD and adhering to all statutory requirements. But here’s the real question for you: Is enough being done to regulate these institutions, or are we allowing a few bad actors to tarnish the reputation of an entire industry? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could drive much-needed change.
