MIDS ALUMNI PORTRAIT SERIES — From Geneva to Lagos: Chizaram Mbah on Arbitration, Investment Law, and Building Capacity in Africa

For Chizaram Mbah, the MIDS experience was about more than developing expertise in international dispute settlement. It was also an opportunity to engage with diverse legal traditions, explore new areas of law, and build a broader perspective on how international disputes are resolved. Following experiences at LALIVE, ICSID, and Three Crowns, Chizaram returned to Nigeria, where she is now a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Practice at Aluko & Oyebode. She reflects on the intellectual curiosity, professional opportunities, and international outlook that continue to influence his work today.

  • "The paradox of the MIDS is that it grows your expertise and confidence in international dispute resolution, yet leaves you with a greater sense of intellectual humility."

    Chizaram MbahSenior Associate at Aluko & Oyebode, Lagos, Nigeria

What motivated you to join the MIDS program, and what were your expectations at the time?

I joined the MIDS programme because I was interested in pursuing a career in international dispute settlement. I had learnt about the MIDS when I stumbled upon an article on an issue in international arbitration written by a MIDS alumnus. When I felt the time was right to pursue a master's degree, the MIDS was one of my top choices. My expectation at the time was that, through my studies, I would gain a deeper understanding of international arbitration and the broader system within which it operates. The MIDS delivered on my expectations.

Which aspect of the MIDS experience had the greatest impact on your professional or personal growth?

The intensive and special courses on international arbitration and investment law have had the greatest impact on my professional growth. I studied topics such as public policy, the arbitration agreement, the New York Convention, multiple proceedings, and substantive treaty protections, many of which I now encounter in my international arbitration practice. The rigorous academic training gave me a solid foundation and the confidence to engage with these issues in whatever form they take in practice.

How has the MIDS network or training influenced your career path since graduation?

Studying at the MIDS introduced me to public international law and international investment law, areas I previously had very little exposure to. I took a keen interest in those areas, so much so that my thesis focused on examining the regime for the settlement of intra-African investment disputes. My career has increasingly tilted towards these fields, and I am now involved in policy-related work in investment law, as well as in investor-State dispute resolution.

  • "As my knowledge expanded and my perspectives were challenged, I became more aware of the limits of my knowledge."

    Chizaram MbahSenior Associate at Aluko & Oyebode, Lagos, Nigeria

Can you briefly explain your career path since graduating from the MIDS?

After graduating from the MIDS, I had the opportunity to intern at LALIVE in Geneva, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington, D.C., and Three Crowns LLP in London. I then returned to my home country, Nigeria, and joined Aluko & Oyebode, a large full-service law firm in Lagos, where I currently work as a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution practice.

If you could redesign one aspect of international dispute resolution, what would it be and why?

I would redesign the geographic spread of international dispute resolution, so that less-established jurisdictions have greater opportunities to develop the capacity to handle complex international disputes. International disputes are often governed by the laws of, or resolved in, traditional centres in Europe and the United States. I recognise that this concentration largely reflects party autonomy and the legitimacy that these centres have built over many years. I would therefore support initiatives that strengthen the institutions of less-established jurisdictions and build confidence in their dispute resolution systems.

What advice would you give to future MIDS students embarking on this journey?

Don't have tunnel vision. Everyone joins the MIDS with a goal, whether it is to build expertise in a particular area of international dispute settlement, launch a career in the field, or grow a professional and personal network. Stay focused on your goal, but don't overlook the other opportunities the MIDS offers. Keep an open mind and engage with every aspect of the programme. You never know what might spark your curiosity and shape your career path.