The Department of Islamic Law, Faculty of Law, Kwara State University (KWASU), in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC) and the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, has organised a Sulh Summit to explore the implementation of Sulh, the Islamic model of alternative dispute resolution.

The summit, held at the university's Mini Convocation Arena, focused on the theme: "Towards Harmonised Classical Islamic Jurisprudence and Statute: Operationalising Sulh under the Arbitration and Mediation Act (AMA) 2023."

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Abdus-Sami'i Imam Arikewuyo, emphasised the need for research-driven solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria's justice system.

He described Sulh as a restorative approach to conflict resolution, expressing confidence that the summit would help bridge the gap between legal theory and practical application.

Chairman of the occasion and Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, traced the Qur'anic and Prophetic foundations of Sulh, describing it as the preferred method of dispute resolution in Islamic law.

He explained that the principles of Sulh align with the provisions of Nigeria's Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, highlighting reforms introduced by the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, including the establishment of a Sulh Desk to prioritise reconciliation in family, inheritance and other civil disputes.

Delivering the keynote address, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre, Dr Umar Oseni, examined the historical evolution, legal foundations and future prospects of Sulh in Nigeria.

He noted that Sulh is firmly rooted in the Qur'an and Sunnah, constitutionally recognised under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and further strengthened by the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Department of Islamic Law, Dr Aisha Abdulquadir Zubair, described the summit as timely, noting that Nigeria requires an effective dispute resolution framework to support economic growth and social stability.

She expressed optimism that the deliberations would deepen understanding of Sulh and encourage its wider adoption within Nigeria's legal system.