By Muhammad Mahdi Isa

As Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan officially bows out of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) today, 30th, September, after his successful 5-year unprecedented and eventful tenure, as Director General, he has been offered Advisory and Technical services role at the Nigeria Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement Implementation Coordination Office, where he has chosen to spend his sabbatical leave.

The appointment, according to a letter, titled, “Availability For One Year Technical and Advisory Services During Sabbatical Leave For AfCFTA Implementation in Nigeria – Acceptance of Offer”, dated 26th September, and signed by the National Coordinator – Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, said the one year responsibility takes effect from tomorrow, October 1st, 2024.

The letter partly read, “On behalf of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, I am delighted to formally accept your kind offer to provide technical and advisory services to our office during your one-year sabbatical leave. Your profound contributions to Nigeria’s legal jurisprudence, and policy landscape, particularly in your role as the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), have been highly commendable, and it is noteworthy that you have chosen to dedicate this period to support the AfCFTA implementation in Nigeria”.

The letter further said, “we deeply appreciate your decision to align yourself with the transformative objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly at a time when your expertise in in great demand across various platforms. Your commitment to making yourself available to the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office is timely, strategic, and bears credence to your unflinching commitment to Nigeria’s obligation to economic prosperity”.

“We are prepared to tap into the wealth of your intellectual prowess for the benefit and prosperity of our people. Your deep knowledge of legal, trade and institutional frameworks will play a crucial role in advancing our goals under the AfCFTA, particularly in navigating complex areas like trade remedies and dispute settlement mechanism”, Mr Awolowo further stated.

In the Terms of Reference (ToR) of Professor Ladan’s tasks, Mr Awolowo outlined the scope of Professor Ladan’s role to include conducting legal research and analysis to advice on trade policy development on AfCFTA-related policies and regulations, advising on the protocols under the AfCFTA.

Professor Ladan will also be expected to provide policy recommendations for enhancing Nigeria’s participation in the AfCFTA, conducting policy-oriented research and preparing reports that align with Nigeria’s trade and legal interests, and to support in facilitating stakeholder engagements and capacity-building sessions where necessary.

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