The Nigerian Branch of the International Law Association, ILA Nigeria, has announced plans to convene its 9th Annual Conference in Abuja, with a strong focus on combating tax evasion, illicit financial flows, and other economic crimes through international law frameworks.
The three-day conference is scheduled to hold from April 13 to April 15, 2026, at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Abuja.
It will bring together leading international law experts, policymakers, academics, business professionals, and students for a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses, and networking sessions.
This year’s conference is themed “Mitigating Economic and Financial Crime Risks in a Shifting Global Order: The Role of International Law.”
According to the organisers, discussions will centre on how international legal frameworks can address pressing issues such as money laundering, corruption, and tax evasion, while supporting sustainable development.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee, Dr. Grace Dafiel, said the gathering would provide a platform for robust dialogue among international lawyers and diplomats on improving regulatory enforcement and risk mitigation strategies.
The President of ILA Nigeria, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, emphasised the broader implications of financial crimes, describing them as both economic and human rights challenges.
He noted that effective taxation remains critical for national development, including infrastructure, healthcare, and research funding.
“Tax evasion and illicit financial flows are not only development problems but also human rights concerns,” Olawuyi stated, adding that the conference aims to equip participants with global best practices for anticipating and preventing financial crime risks.
Confirmed keynote speaker and high level speakers include H.E. Dr. Fatou Bensouda; former International Criminal Court Prosecutor and current High Commissioner of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, H.E. Edward Harris, Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, Professor Bolaji Owasonoye, SAN, OFR, former Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC Chairman, and the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Malick, among others.
In addition to academic sessions, the conference will feature a President’s Dinner and Awards Night, including a keynote gala conversation focused on international mechanisms shaping policy, corporate governance, and investment strategies in tackling financial crimes.
The ILA Nigeria Annual Conference, held consistently since 2014, has grown into a key platform for advancing the study, interpretation, and application of international law in Nigeria and beyond.
Founded in 1873 in Brussels and headquartered in London, the International Law Association boasts over 5,000 members across 45 national and regional branches worldwide.
The Nigerian Branch of the ILA regularly hosts innovative lectures, seminars, conferences, and other capacity development programs to advance the study and understanding of international law in Nigeria.
To learn more about the ILA, its activities, and events visit https://ilanigeria.org.ng.
