By Daphne Uduneje
The growing complexity of Nigeria’s business environment, marked by economic uncertainty, technological disruption, regulatory changes and evolving stakeholder expectations, is placing renewed focus on the country’s capacity to manage corporate distress and preserve economic value.
Against this backdrop, the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) is set to convene its 2026 Annual International Insolvency Conference on September 24 and 25 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
With the theme, “Building an Insolvency Architecture for a New World Order,” the two-day conference is expected to bring together insolvency practitioners, regulators, policymakers, judges, legal practitioners, financial experts, business leaders, academics and development partners to examine the changing dynamics of business recovery and restructuring.
The conference comes at a period when the ability of businesses to navigate financial distress has become increasingly important to the broader economy, particularly as companies contend with changing market conditions, funding pressures, technological shifts and regulatory requirements.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, Vice President of BRIPAN and Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Abiodun Ariyibi, FCTI, FBR, FCA, said the conference would provide an opportunity to examine how Nigeria’s insolvency framework can respond to emerging economic realities while remaining aligned with international best practices.
According to Ariyibi, the changing operating environment requires stakeholders to rethink traditional approaches to insolvency and develop mechanisms that support recovery, restructuring and the preservation of viable businesses.
“As Nigeria continues its journey toward economic transformation, the conversations taking place at this conference are critical. We must collectively examine how our insolvency architecture can respond to emerging realities while aligning with global best practices,” he said.
He added that the sector must increasingly leverage technology, strengthen regulatory frameworks and promote greater collaboration among participants in the insolvency ecosystem.
For businesses, the significance of effective insolvency mechanisms extends beyond the resolution of failed companies. A functional restructuring framework can determine whether distressed but viable enterprises are given an opportunity to recover, thereby preserving jobs, productive assets, investments and value within the economy.
Ariyibi therefore stressed that modern insolvency practice should not be viewed solely through the lens of business failure, but also as an instrument for economic renewal.
“Economic transformation cannot be achieved by creating new businesses alone; it also requires preserving and revitalising existing ones. Effective business recovery and restructuring mechanisms help organisations overcome distress, protect livelihoods, retain value within the economy, and contribute to sustainable national development,” he said.
The conference is expected to examine these issues through expert presentations, panel discussions, practical case studies and conversations around emerging trends and regulatory developments affecting insolvency and restructuring practice.
The gathering will also provide a platform for interaction among senior professionals across the legal, financial, regulatory, corporate and advisory sectors, with discussions expected to explore opportunities for stronger collaboration and improved professional practice.
A major component of the programme will be the Conference Gala Night, which will provide an opportunity for participants to network and recognise excellence within the insolvency and business recovery profession.
Beyond professional development, BRIPAN said the conference is designed to contribute to the broader conversation on strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience by developing a more responsive business recovery and restructuring ecosystem.
The association is therefore calling on professionals, corporate executives, regulators, academics, investors and other stakeholders to participate in the conference, while also inviting corporate organisations, financial institutions, professional service firms and development partners to support the event through sponsorship and strategic partnerships.
The 2026 conference is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to interrogate how Nigeria can build an insolvency architecture capable of supporting businesses through periods of distress while preserving economic value and improving confidence in the country’s business environment.
For registration and further information, prospective participants can visit www.2026bripanconference.org.ng.
About BRIPAN
The Business Recovery and Insolvencyc Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) is a professional body representing practitioners in insolvency, restructuring and business recovery. The association promotes professional excellence and seeks to advance the development of an effective business recovery and insolvency ecosystem in Nigeria.