Dr. Ayodele (“Ayo”) Akenroye, FCIArb is an independent commercial arbitrator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is also an Immigration Judge with the Government of Canada where he adjudicates immigration matters. Before becoming an Arbitrator and an Immigration Judge, Ayo was an advocate, representing individuals and corporations in a wide range of industries and areas of law including corporate and commercial, banking, construction, energy, finance, infrastructure, insurance, mining, solar power plants, telecommunication, transportation, joint ventures, licensing, patents, sales of goods and shareholdings, ethics and anti-corruption, and criminal litigation (international and domestic).

Current – Independent Arbitrator (Toronto, London & Lagos)

Act as arbitrator in commercial arbitrations under the ICC, ICSID, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, CPR, NAI and other sets of rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitration proceedings.

Presided as a sole decision maker over Immigration matters at a quasi-judicial Federal Tribunal with exclusive jurisdiction over immigration and refugee matters in Canada.

Appointed by the Government of Manitoba, Canada to adjudicate housing disputes, as a panel of one or three, between landlords and tenants at a quasi-judicial Tribunal with appellate jurisdiction over residential tenancy law in the Province of Manitoba, Canada.

Ayo brings this experience and knowledge to his work as an international and domestic arbitrator. He renders clear, well-reasoned and appropriately comprehensive decisions expeditiously. His ability to master complex facts and transaction documents provides the foundation for his effectiveness as an arbitrator.

One of Ayo’s strengths is that he is trained and has practised law in multiple common law jurisdictions. He holds a law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, a master’s degree in law from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and a doctorate in public international law from McGill University, Canada. Having practised in Nigeria before qualifying in Canada in 2013, Ayo understands the practical and cultural differences presented in cross-border disputes.

Ayo takes great interest in the impact of technology on dispute resolution. He is currently conducting a multi-year study at the Center for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, University of Toronto on the use of videoconferencing technology in Canadian courts and how this technology affects the image of a judge in dispute resolutions. Also, he has trained Nigerian judges and lawyers on the use of technology to conduct hearings.

• Fellow, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• ICC Canada Committee on Arbitration
• Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society
• International Council for Commercial Arbitration
• The London Court of Arbitration Users Councils

Professional Associations

• Director, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Canada Branch
• Director, Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County, Canada
• Director, Elizabeth Fry Society, Simcoe Muskoka, Canada
• Lectures and speeches at: numerous industry and governmental conferences; McGill University; University of Toronto; University of Manitoba; University of British Columbia, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada, Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria.

• FCIArb 2021 Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, U.K.
• Ph.D. 2018 McGill University Faculty of Law, Montreal, Canada
• LL.M. 2011 University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, Winnipeg, Canada
• B.L. 2008 Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Nigeria
• LL.B. 2007 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria