Ex DG NIALS, Prof MT Ladan, Offers Solutions for Bridging Gaps in Africa’s Aviation Sector

 

By Waziri IA Gwantu (Group Editor-in-chief)

The immediate past Director General of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), and African Regional Economic Integration Law and Policy Analyst, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Hubert Humphrey Fellow, USA, has identified key challenges facing Africa’s air transport industry and offered strategic solutions to promote sustainable development and enhance air connectivity.

In a paper titled, “Air Transport in Africa – Challenges, Bridging Operational and Regulatory Gaps”, presented at a Two-Day International Air Transport in Africa Conference on the Theme: ‘Air Transport in Africa – Challenges and Prospects’, Organized by The World United Consumer Organization, the immediate past Director of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), noted that air transport is crucial to Africa’s economic growth, trade, tourism, and social connectivity.

“Africa’s air transport sector faces significant challenges, including liberalization, management weakness, state protectionism, poor air connectivity, limited partnerships, high costs, and regulatory hurdles,” Professor Ladan stated.

According to Professor Ladan, the industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic requires addressing operational and regulatory challenges. “The 2023 African Airlines Performance Report reveals a 67% rebound in passenger numbers, signaling a promising recovery,” he noted.

Professor Ladan emphasized the need for regulatory overhaul, citing sovereignty concerns, anti-competition practices, and discriminatory policies against African airlines. “Compliance with treaty obligations and international standards is essential for sustainable development,” he stressed.

To improve Africa’s air transport sector, Professor Ladan gave the following recommendations – “Learning from past pitfalls and building on successes,”
“Moderating national protectionism to enhance connectivity and competition,”
“Inclusivity in decision-making processes”, Implementing recommendations from AU/ICAO/AFCAC reports to deepen air transport liberalization and enhance operational efficiency.”

November 20th at Abuja Continental Hotel. Day 1 Plenary session:- Air transport in Africa challenges:-:Bridging operational and regulatory gaps. Prof. M T Ladan with the Air Peace Ltd Chairman,/ CEO, Dr. Allen onyeama, Capt. Chris Obama Najomo, DG Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, And Prof Obiora Okwonkwo, Chairman/ CEO, United Nigerian Airlines as well as the Conference Convener, Mr Clement Osuya..

Prof MT Ladan’s 5-Year Eventful Tenure as DG NIALS Ends 30th Sept, Leaves Groundbreaking Achievements By: Adam Isa Waziri

 

As the 30th of September marks the end of Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan’s five-year eventful tenure as Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), his groundbreaking achievements will be remembered as a testament to his visionary leadership and dedication to excellence.

Between 2019 – 2024, Professor Ladan-led management promoted a total of 279 staff (out of 286, which equals 97%) to different academic and non-academic positions.

In the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, Professor Ladan cleared all promotion backlogs that included 44 non academic staff (2016), in 2017, he cleared the backlog promotion of 37 academic staff and 9 non-academic staff. He also cleared the backlog promotion of 47 academic staff and 5 non-academic staff.

In the year 2019, Professor Ladan-led management promoted a total of 105 staff – 18 academic and 87 non-academic.

In the years 2020 and 2021, a total of 83(11 academic and 72 non-academic) and 92(19 academic and 73 non-academic) staff were promoted respectively.

In the years 2022 and 2023, a total of 51(9 academic and 42 non-academic) and 63 (11 academic and 52 non-academic) staff were promoted respectively.

The other phase of the promotion exercise carried out by the Professor Ladan-led management exclusively comprised of staff that were promoted to the ranks of Directors and Professors, between 2019 – 2024. Within this period 14 non-academic staff were promoted to the ranks of Directors, with 10 in Abuja and 4 in Lagos.

Within the period under review, 21 academic staff were promoted to different ranks. While 10 were promoted the rank of Full Professors, 11 were promoted to the rank of Associate Professors.

While the outgoing Director General was able to pay, within the period under review, a total sum of N72,011,658 as remittance into the consolidated revenue fund, it has paid N109,114,483.22 as salary arrears and as settlements for the institute’s disengaged uncaptured employees by IPPIS into NIALS’ payroll.

Advanced legal research carried out under his tenure resulted in the publication of 10 unique law books in emerging fields of law, 16 volumes of 8 specialized journals, 12 articles published in international journals and books published by Kluwer, Springer and Oxford University Press, over 20 Strategic Rules of Courts and Practice Direction for federal and state judiciaries, and a total of 20 Policy Bulletins for Policy Makers and Training Manuals/Guidebooks for prosecutors and law faculties in Nigerian Universities.

Through out his tenure, the Hubert Humphrey USA, Fellow has added significant value to advanced legal research in emerging fields of law and capacity building of justice sector and legal education sectors in Nigeria and Africa, leaving an indelible mark on the institution and the legal landscape.

His leadership has been marked by unprecedented success, including the successful management of a $2.5 million MacArthur Foundation Grant and the development of numerous global and regional instruments through his consultancy services.

A renowned expert in Public International Law, Professor Ladan,’s contributions have been felt globally, with 16 authored law books, over 80 published journal articles, and more than 100 presented papers to his credit.

As he concludes his tenure, Prof. Ladan’s legacy will continue to inspire and shape the future of legal studies in Nigeria and beyond.

Professor Ladan’s groundbreaking achievements will remain a lasting tribute to his commitment to excellence and his passion for advancing legal education and reform in Africa.

AfCFTA Implementation: Prof Ladan Identifies, Commends Key Ministerial Interventions

A renowned Law expert, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, has identified and commended strategic interventions by key ministers in driving the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement in Nigeria.

The Minister of Finance has committed to establishing the AfCFTA Agreement Implementation Fund, allocating 3% from agreed sources. This fund will facilitate the implementation of the agreement. Additionally, the Single Window Programme flagged off by the Minister of Finance will introduce a Single Window Flag Off aimed at simplifying regulatory processes, facilitating cross-border trade and ease of doing business.

The Attorney General/Minister of Justice has ensured compliance with Nigeria’s treaty obligations by integrating the AfCFTA Agreement into the revised National Policy on Justice (2024-2029). The policy, awaiting final approval by December, demonstrates the minister’s express commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s compliance with its treaty obligations.

The Minister of Women Affairs has mainstreamed strategic stakeholder engagement on the AfCFTA Protocol on women and youth in trade. This move will benefit women traders, producers, and entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry has fast-tracked action plans for national policies on trade, investment, and Intellectual Property Rights. This ensures high-impact ministerial deliverables.

Professor Ladan commended these interventions, stating that they demonstrate the ministers’ commitment to implementing the AfCFTA agreement. The agreement comprises eight protocols, benefiting all Nigerians and cross-border trade and investment in Africa.

He noted that these initial strategic interventions by the ministers clearly demonstrate their commitment to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement with its eight protocols for the benefit of all Nigerians and cross-border trade and investment in Africa.

However, experts caution that other ministers must align their strategic action plans with Nigeria’s AfCFTA obligations. These obligations include trade in goods and services, investment, competition, intellectual property rights, digital trade, women and youth in trade, and dispute settlement mechanisms.

Effective implementation requires a coordinated approach from all stakeholders. Nigeria’s progress in AfCFTA implementation is commendable, but sustained effort is necessary to reap the agreement’s benefits.

As Nigeria moves forward with AfCFTA implementation, Professor Ladan urges stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed to ensuring the country maximizes the agreement’s opportunities.

By Waziri Isa Adam (Group Editor-in-chief, www.educationmonitornews.com)

NEW BOOK FLASH

 New Book Flash

UNDERSTANDING THE SCOPE OF THE LEGAL AND IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA AGREEMENT: CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA

BY

PROF. M. T. LADAN (2024)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Chapter 1:	UNDERSTANDING THE SCOPE OF AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA) AGREEMENT: - STATE OBLIGATIONS AND DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTATION IN NIGERIA
Chapter 2:	THE LEGAL BASIS OF THE AfCFTA GUIDED TRADE INITIATIVE (GTI) AND THE OPERATIONAL PHASE FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AfCFTA
Chapter 3	STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND SOME IMPLICATIONS OF STATE v. STATE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT IN AfCFTA LAW
Chapter 4:	OVERVIEW OF THE RATIONALE, STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS OF AFRICAN UNION AND ECOWAS TREATY/ AGREEMENT/ PROTOCOL/POLICIES ON REGIONAL INTEGRATION, TRADE AND INVESTMENTS
Chapter 5:	REVIEW OF THE PROTOCOL ON INVESTMENT TO THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA
Chapter 6:	REVIEW OF THE PROTOCOL ON COMPETITION POLICY TO THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA
Chapter 7:	REVIEW OF THE PROTOCOL ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA
Chapter 8:	OVERVIEW OF THE PROTOCOL TO THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA) ON DIGITAL TRADE COMPARED WITH THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION ACT, 2023
Chapter 9:	BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROTOCOL TO THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA ON WOMEN AND YOUTH IN TRADE COMPARED WITH THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA AND THE NATIONAL GENDER POLICY OF NIGERIA 2021-2026
Chapter 10:	BUSINESS FACILITATION (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT NO. 5, 2022: REVIEW AND TABULAR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA
Chapter 11:	BRIEF REVIEW OF THE COPY RIGHT ACT, 2023
Chapter 12:	REVIEW OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE ACT, 2023
Chapter 13:	BRIEF REVIEW OF THE NIGERIA AfCFTA IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Chapter 14:	BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE TRADE POLICY OF NIGERIA (2023-2027)
Chapter 15:	INVENTORY OF LAWS, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
Chapter 16:	NATIONAL PRACTICE ON DOMESTICATION OF TREATIES IN NIGERIA (1960-2023)
Chapter 17:	ANNEXES 1 – 9 ON AfCTFA AGREEMENT AND ITS 8 PROTOCOLS

 

New Book Flash

INTRODUCTION TO ECOWAS COMMUNITY LAW AND PRACTICE

This book is intended primarily as an introductory textbook for students in law faculties and other relevant disciplines in the ECOWAS Members States’ Universities. It is hoped also that judicial officers, legal practitioners, researchers, government legal advisers, policymakers and interested readers will find it useful.

A conscious effort has been made in every chapter to be reasonably brief so as to produce overall a concise work suitable for the needs of the above target group. Full texts of relevant laws have also been reproduced.

The book is divided into nine chapters under the following headings: -

Chapter 1: -   Legal Aspects of Economic Integration of West Africa.

Chapter 2: -   ECOWAS Integration Model: From Intergovernmentalism to Supranationalism.

Chapter 3: -   Appraisal of the Human Rights Mandate of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

Chapter 4: -   An Appraisal of the Judgement Enforcement Mechanism of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

Chapter 5: -   Assessing the Role, Relevance and Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice: - Relevant Benchmarks and Theoretical Perspectives

Chapter 6: -   Overview of the Rationale, Structure and Contents of African Union and ECOWAS Treaty/Agreement/Protocol/Policies on Regional Integration, Trade and Investments

Chapter 7: -   Peace and Security in ECOWAS

Chapter 8: -   Appendices of Legal Texts: ECOWAS Treaties, Supplementary Protocols, Acts, Decisions and Regulations

Chapter 9: -   Texts on Community Laws of Southern, Eastern, Central and Horn of African Sub-regions

Prof. M. T. Ladan

Prof. M. T. Ladan, Ph. D in law (1997), is a professor of law with 37 years working experience at the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; National Human Rights Commission Abuja (1997 - 1999); National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja(2017 - 2019); Currently Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (2019 - 2024). Member, National Action Committee on the Implementation of the Agreement on African Continental Free Trade Area, inaugurated by President Buhari on 20 December 2019 to date. Lead Facilitator of the Policy, Regulation and Law (PRL) Workstream of the National Action Committee on AfCFTA since 2019 and a member of the National Technical  working Group on AfCFTA Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Trade Facilitation Project / Border Facilities and Utilities National Technical Working Group. Technical Expert member of the National Expert working Group that reviewed the AfCFTA Protocol on IPR, investment, Competition, Digital Trade and Women /Youth, annexes to the Protocol on IPR and the draft-Regulation for the implementation of AfCFTA Protocol on Competition(2022 - 2024). 

With Specialization in comparative regional economic integration law, policy and practice; public international law relating to natural resources, energy, environment, climate change, human rights, gender, Security, humanitarian and Sustainable development law, policy and practice in Africa. 

With 25 years experience as an independent expert and a lead technical expert in representing Nigeria at Governmental Experts meetings and Diplomatic Conferences at the UNEP Nairobi, UNICRI Turin, Italy, UNESCO Paris, France, and Ljubljana, Slovenia, as well as in the defence of Nigeria's Country human rights reports at the UN HQ in New York and Geneva; and in Banjul, Gambia at the African Human Rights Commission. And 22 years experience in consultancy services at the national, regional and global levels for Nigerian federal and state ministries and agencies, and for the ECOWAS Commission, UNICEF, ILO, UNHCR, UNDP and UNEP HQ in Nairobi.