As concerns mount over rising illicit financial flows and entrenched corruption worldwide, the Nigerian branch of the International Law Association Nigeria is set to convene top global experts for its 9th Annual Conference in Abuja.
The three-day event, scheduled for April 13 to 15, 2026, will take place at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), drawing leading international law scholars, policymakers, diplomats, and financial regulators.
With the theme “Mitigating Economic and Financial Crime Risks in a Shifting Global Order: The Role of International Law,” the conference will focus on strengthening legal responses to financial crimes such as tax evasion, money laundering, and illicit financial flows.
Organisers say the forum will critically examine how international legal frameworks can be leveraged to combat corruption-related economic crimes and enhance regulatory enforcement mechanisms globally.
Since its inception in 2014, the ILA Nigeria annual conference has served as a key platform for advancing discourse on international law, bringing together experts and stakeholders across sectors to explore solutions to pressing global challenges.
Speaking at a pre-conference press briefing, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Grace Dafiel, highlighted the importance of this year’s discussions. She noted that the gathering will enable legal practitioners, diplomats, and financial experts to explore innovative strategies for mitigating financial crime risks and promoting sustainable development.
The conference is expected to attract a diverse audience, including legal professionals, business leaders, academics, students, and policy advocates.
High-profile speakers lined up for the event include Fatou Bensouda, former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and current Gambian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; Edward Harris, Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa; Bolaji Owasonoye, former ICPC chairman; and Mohamed M. Malick, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria.
The conference is expected to generate actionable insights on strengthening international cooperation and legal instruments in the fight against financial crime in an increasingly complex global landscape.
