UK To Nominate Nigerian-born Professor Dapo Akande For ICJ Election In 2026
The United Kingdom has announced plans to nominate Nigerian-born Professor Dapo Akande, a distinguished public international law expert at the University of Oxford, for election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2026.
In a statement by Joanna Roper, UK ambassador to the Netherlands and ICJ representative, Akande’s nomination reflects the UK’s commitment to international justice, human rights, and the rule of law. “The UK is pleased to announce that Professor Dapo Akande will be nominated for election as a judge to the International Court of Justice in 2026 by the UK National Group,” Roper said.
Akande, recognized as an “outstanding” international lawyer, has a wealth of legal expertise and over 25 years of experience in public international law. His career has spanned roles as counsel on international litigation before the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), among others.
Akande, who was born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria, has achieved significant milestones in the international legal community. In November 2021, he was elected to the UN International Law Commission (ILC), where he was co-nominated by the UK, Nigeria, Japan, Kenya, and Slovenia.
Having started his legal career as a research assistant to former Nigerian Attorney-General Bola Ajibola (KBE SAN), Akande has since served as a consultant to major international organizations, including the United Nations, African Union, NATO, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Akande’s nomination to the ICJ is a significant recognition of his contributions to international law and his potential to further strengthen global legal frameworks.
