Tag: training

Are Nigeria’s Courts Ready for Big Tech? New Judicial Training Aims to Find Out

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By Matthew Freer

Nigeria’s courts are preparing for a wave of complex competition litigation as digital transformation reshapes the legal landscape, the Chief Justice of Nigeria announced at a three-day strategic judicial training programme held from 10 to 12 March 2026 in Abuja.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun disclosed that Nigerian courts “may witness a substantial increase in the volume and complexity of cases arising from competition and consumer protection disputes” as enforcement expands across the country’s evolving economy (The Guardian, 2026). The programme was organised by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (“FCCPC”) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (“NJI”).

Digital Markets Drive New Legal Challenges

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello emphasised that “competition and consumer protection law often finds its most practical expression in the courtroom,” where legal principles governing markets are “tested, clarified and given authoritative interpretation” (Business Day, 2026).

The Chief Justice warned that the “proliferation of AI-driven systems is transforming markets in unprecedented ways,” introducing complex risks including “data exploitation, algorithmic manipulation of consumer choices, privacy infringements and the dissemination of misleading information” (Blueprint, 2026).

Bello noted that “technological innovation, digital commerce, cross-border transactions and increasingly complex corporate structures continue to reshape how markets function,” raising new questions around market dominance, restrictive agreements and consumer rights (The Whistler, 2026).

Building Capacity for Economic Evidence

NJI Administrator Justice Babatunde Adejumo explained that the training was designed to deepen judicial understanding of competition law principles, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (“FCCPA”) framework, and evidentiary standards in competition litigation, particularly regarding emerging issues in digital markets and financial technology (Blueprint, 2026).

The Chief Justice highlighted that Section 146 of the FCCPA permits consumers to approach courts directly without exhausting administrative remedies, reinforcing the need for judicial preparedness. She also emphasised strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce pressure on courts (The Guardian, 2026).

Implications

The programme signals Nigeria’s proactive approach to building institutional capacity for competition enforcement. As Bello concluded, “the development of clear and principled jurisprudence in competition and consumer protection law will help shape market behaviour, strengthen investor confidence and protect the welfare of Nigerian consumers” (Business Day, 2026).

The message to multinationals operating in Nigeria is unmistakable: competition enforcement is no longer just an administrative risk but a serious legal frontier with real judicial teeth. For regulators elsewhere in Africa, the initiative offers a powerful reminder that effective antitrust systems require not just bold enforcement agencies, but judiciaries equipped to handle the technical complexity of modern digital markets.

Zimbabwean leader lauds antitrust efforts

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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently exalted the benefits of antitrust law at a joint COMESA-CTC (Competition and Tariff Commission of Zimbabwe) conference for sitting judges, held in Victoria Falls. Below is an excerpt of his oral remarks, given at the opening of the event:

“Competition and consumer protection laws, are therefore, key enablers of free, open and liberalised trade between countries and foreign regional integration. Against this backdrop, these laws must continue to enhance consumer interests and the realisation of our country’s development aspirations as set out in the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030. To this end, under the radar are the cartels, and all those who collude in promoting unjustified price increases, illicit activities and currency manipulation for the purposes of realising super profits.

Andreas Stargard, a competition partner at Primerio Ltd., notes that President Mnangagwa was once a practicing attorney himself, prior to his political ascent within the ZANU-PF party, although the precise history of the president’s legal studies and degrees remains somewhat murky. “As a former legal practitioner himself, Mnangagwa knows that an educated judge is a better judge. Thus, his admonition to the members of the judiciary present at the conference (at whom the event was aimed in the first place) to better acquaint themselves with competition law & economics was timely and meaningful,” he said. Stargard adds: “There is hardly anything more frustrating than presenting an antitrust case — which is usually difficult in its own right — to an uninformed judicial decision-maker, who shows little understanding or interest in the subject-matter, or who dismisses economics as extraneous; you cannot practice competition law without an understanding of economics.”

The president concluded: “In our case as Zimbabwe, competition law and the attendant robust policy frameworks are important towards the speedy realisation of Vision 2030, of becoming a prosperous and empowered upper middle income economy. This aspiration will be attained through an effective empowered and agile judicial system, which strives for fairness and increased efficiencies across all the productive sectors of the economy. It is, therefore, most opportune that this workshop is taking place at the stage when our economy is transitioning from stabilisation to growth. To this end judicial staff must be kept updated and knowledgeable about activities taking place in industry and commerce. Undoubtedly, judges and other related stakeholders remain key to the interpretation of competition and consumer protection laws. The intricate nexus between the interpretation and enforcement of laws across sectors of the economy cannot be overemphasised. The judiciary should also address competition issues that arise in disputes before the judicial system. This is pertinent more so that competition law intersects with many fields hence training such as this one is an essential requirement in modern day competition law.”