Striving for Global Harmony Through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Member Spotlight: Naomi Gankino Maiguwa
From a young age, Naomi Gankino Maiguwa was surrounded by her extensive family. Constantly disarming conflicts between siblings and cousins, she felt destined for the judiciary. “At a tender age, I had the feeling that I’d like to be a Judge someday.” However, Naomi’s career aspirations evolved during law school as she sought a more dynamic role. “Sitting on the bench seems insufficiently static, when you are an attorney or mediator it exposes you to so much more, I want to be more versatile.”
Introduction to ADR
Born and raised in Nigeria amid a rich blend of cultural and religious traditions, Naomi gained an early understanding of how cultural complexities shape interpersonal relationships and communication. “Growing up in that environment exposed me to complexities and an understanding of how culture shapes us.” This insight drew Naomi to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which she first became exposed to in 2007 before attending law school. She was an early adopter having been trained by the late Law Professor Kevin Nwosu — founder of the Settlement House Abuja — sparking her lifelong passion for mediation.
After attending and graduating from Law School herself, Naomi was determined to combine her newfound legal expertise with her passion for mediation. “Settling conflict without going through litigation makes things easier and creates a sense of belonging as people come together to solve their own problems.” Although her career in Nigeria included litigation, Naomi’s calling lied with mediation as she appreciated its capacity to foster peace, mutual respect, and an inclusive environment.
Over the last seventeen years, Naomi observed great strides in the advancement of ADR in Nigeria noting, “we have more arbitrators now than mediators and we have the Multi-Door Courthouse, it has grown over time.” Having expanded across various legal disciplines, Naomi emphasized how ADR has revolutionized conflict resolution by expediting legal processes and ensuring lasting outcomes.
Defining Her Mediation Philosophy
Whether mediating family disputes or professional conflicts, Naomi has found one thing universally consistent, “Cultural Diversity is at the heart of mediation.” In facilitating dialogue and resolving conflicts in various theaters, Naomi has become a champion for fostering connections, creating mutual understanding, and respecting one another’s cultural differences. “This work showed me that mediation is not just about resolving disputes, but about building bridges.”
Naomi is committed to empowering individuals to constructively address conflict and strengthening communication in their workplace and in their communities. She has conducted numerous training sessions with the goal of “fostering peace and creating a culture of respect. Not just focusing on individual issues but working towards a broader harmony.”
Having such a diverse background in conflict resolution and mediation, including her work with the Nigerian Women Against Violence Initiative and Groundswell, has enriched Naomi’s understanding of the cultural foundations of conflict. “Navigating disputes taught me the importance of culture and the cultural underpinning of conflict, that is the foundation of my mediation philosophy.”
Building a Better Future
As she looks to the future, Naomi is committed to fostering “more peaceful and equitable world” through her membership with MBBI and her own business, Acsa Consulting. As Naomi strives for global harmony, she is also looking forward to applying what she’s learned and “collaborating with like-minded individuals with similar visions for the world.”
Naomi’s journey in the U.S. began with her pursuit of higher education, earning master’s degrees from the University of Southern California and Biola University. Settling in the U.S., she now works as a paralegal at Pacific Justice Institute while preparing for the California Bar Exam and providing mediation services at Groundswell. Naomi is determined to expand her impact as a Dispute Resolution Specialist both nationally and internationally. “I registered my own mediation business (Acsa Consulting). My vision is to see a world with sustainable conflict resolution. My experiences have shown me this is achievable, and I’d like to be part of that. I would like to help foster peace and resolve conflict.”
Article by Kieran Blunnie, MBBI Writer