The NBA-YLF Continuing Legal Education Committee, in conjunction with the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE), recently hosted an intellectually engaging webinar themed “Stability Versus Sovereignty: Model Approaches to Drafting Stabilization Clauses in Investment Agreements.”
Held virtually on Thursday, 4 December 2025, via Zoho, the session formed part of the NBA-YLF’s ongoing efforts to deepen the technical competence of young lawyers while contributing meaningfully to discourse on contemporary legal and policy issues.
Understanding the Tension Between Stability and Sovereignty
Investment agreements often sit at the intersection of competing interests — the need to provide certainty and stability for investors on one hand, and the preservation of state sovereignty and regulatory autonomy on the other. This webinar explored how stabilization clauses are used to balance these interests and the legal, economic, and policy considerations that inform their drafting.
Participants were taken through the rationale behind stabilization clauses, the risks associated with poorly drafted provisions, and the evolving approaches adopted in modern investment agreements, particularly within developing economies.
Model Approaches to Drafting Stabilization Clauses
The session examined different models of stabilization clauses, highlighting their implications for host states and investors alike. Discussions focused on best practices in drafting clauses that protect legitimate investor expectations while allowing states the flexibility to respond to changing social, economic, and regulatory needs.
Through comparative perspectives and practical illustrations, attendees gained clearer insight into how thoughtful drafting can reduce disputes, promote sustainable investment, and align agreements with contemporary international investment law standards.
Professional Development and CPD Accreditation
In line with the NBA’s mandatory continuing professional development framework, participants who attended the webinar earned one (1) CPD point, contributing toward the annual five-point requirement for legal practitioners in Nigeria. This underscores the NBA-YLF’s commitment to combining substantive learning with professional accreditation.
Strengthening Capacity Through Continuing Legal Education
This webinar reflects the NBA-YLF’s broader mandate to provide young lawyers with access to high-quality, relevant, and forward-looking legal education. By engaging with complex topics such as investment law and treaty drafting, the Forum continues to support the development of well-rounded practitioners equipped to operate confidently in both local and international legal contexts.
Through collaborations with institutions such as the NBA-ICLE, the NBA-YLF remains committed to fostering excellence, intellectual growth, and professional relevance among young lawyers across Nigeria.
