Nigeria Nominates Dr. Olufemi Elias For International Court Of Justice Seat
Nigeria has officially nominated Dr. Olufemi Elias as its candidate for a seat on the International Court of Justice (ICJ), aiming to secure his election for the term spanning 2027 to 2036. The ICJ, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is the United Nations’ primary judicial organ, tasked with resolving disputes between states under international law.
Dr. Elias, a seasoned expert in international law, currently serves as a Judge Ad Hoc at the ICJ and holds membership in the prestigious Institut de Droit International. His extensive career includes roles as a UN Assistant Secretary-General and Legal Adviser at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
At a formal presentation hosted at Nigeria House in New York, Ambassador Samson Itegboje, Charge d’Affaires of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN, outlined the country’s reasons for nominating Elias. He emphasised Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international law and the ICJ, noting the country became a party to the ICJ Statute upon its independence in 1960 and has actively engaged with the Court since.
“Through participation in cases on territorial disputes, human rights, and maritime law, Nigeria has significantly contributed to the development of international law,” Itegboje said. He also highlighted Nigeria’s respect for ICJ decisions, citing its compliance with rulings, including the high-profile Bakassi Peninsula dispute with Cameroon.
Itegboje recalled Nigeria’s history of producing distinguished ICJ judges, including Charles Onyeama (1966–1976), Bola Ajibola (1991–1994), and Dr. Elias’ father, Taslim Olawale Elias (1976–1991), who served as the Court’s President and made significant contributions to its jurisprudence.
Dr. Elias, addressing the diplomatic corps, underscored his qualifications, citing 35 years of experience in public international law as an academic, practitioner, international civil servant, and adjudicator.
“As an expert in international law, I have consistently upheld the principles of justice and fairness throughout my career,” Elias said. He praised Nigeria’s reputation as a nation that respects international obligations and ICJ judgments, a legacy he pledged to uphold if elected.
Elias’ extensive international legal expertise includes his roles as President of the Administrative Tribunal of the OPEC Fund for International Development and Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal. In 2015, he became only the second Nigerian to be elected to the Institut de Droit International since its founding in 1873.
Minister Counselor Mohamed Mahmoud, Nigeria’s UN Elections Officer, noted the strong diplomatic turnout at the unveiling event as evidence of the respect Nigeria commands within the global community.
If successful, Elias will become the fourth Nigerian to serve on the ICJ, following in the footsteps of Onyeama, Ajibola, and his father, Taslim Elias. Nigeria has not had a representative on the ICJ since 1994.
The election, set for 2026, will see judges elected by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. With his illustrious legal background and Nigeria’s robust support, Elias is positioned as a strong contender for the esteemed role.
