NICN- Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria is a judicial institution established in 1976 by the Trade Disputes Act (TDA) Cap 432, Law of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. The Court became functional in 1978. Due to a number of shortcomings in the TDA which impacted adversely on the workings of the Court, the National Industrial Court Act, 2006, re-established the
National Industrial Court as superior court of record with jurisdiction on labour and industrial relation matters.
As a result of further contentions on the status of the Court as a superior court of record, the National Assembly vide the Third Alteration Act, 2011,amended the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to established the Court as a superior court of record specifically and expressly under the Constitution. The Court has and exercises exclusive jurisdiction in civil causes and matters relating to labour, employment, trade unions, industrial relations, and matters arising from workplace, the conditions of service,
including health, safety, welfare of labour, employee, worker and matters incidental thereto
and connected therewith.
By virtue of Section 254C (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended by the Third Alteration Act, 2011) the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has jurisdiction and
powers in criminal causes and matters arising from any cause or matter on which jurisdiction has been conferred on it.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre is established to resolve certain
disputes arising from labour, employment, industrial relations, workplace, etc, between parties using
the process of mediation and/or conciliation. The Centre uses mediation and/or conciliation technique(s)
to assist parties resolve their dispute and arrive at mutually acceptable agreement In less costly, speedy
and efficient manner. It is aimed at preserving relationship through reconciliation of parties in dispute.
This is done to engender industrial peace and harmony that are essential for economic and industrial
development of the country.