Nigerian-trained legal expert, Professor Dapo Akande, has been elected to serve as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), marking a major milestone in his distinguished career in international law.
Akande, a Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, secured his election following a closely contested vote by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. He will serve a nine-year term at the court, which is the United Nations’ highest judicial body.
His election also marks the return of a United Kingdom judge to the ICJ after a nine-year absence. The development was announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The British government described the outcome as a significant achievement, noting that Akande received support from a majority of UN member states. His candidacy was backed by the Prime Minister, government ministers and British diplomats through diplomatic engagements across different parts of the world.
Reacting to the election, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the outcome reflected the UK’s commitment to international law and its responsibility in promoting global stability.
Burnham expressed confidence that Akande would bring strong legal knowledge, integrity and independence to the court, adding that his election demonstrated Britain’s readiness to play an active role in international affairs.
Akande also expressed gratitude to the UN member states for the confidence they had placed in him, promising to carry out his judicial responsibilities without bias or external influence.
He pledged to approach cases with independence and ensure that his decisions would be guided by a fair and faithful application of the law. He also expressed his willingness to contribute to the court’s efforts to resolve international disputes through peaceful means.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, equally congratulated the newly elected judge, describing his professional expertise, independence and commitment to international law as qualities that would benefit the court and the wider international community.
Akande brings nearly 30 years of experience in international law to the position. He is a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and an elected member of the United Nations International Law Commission.
Although originally qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria, he has built an extensive international career as both an academic and legal practitioner. Over the years, he has served as counsel, adviser and expert in proceedings before several international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ itself.
His professional experience also includes advising governments from countries across all five United Nations regional groups, as well as major international institutions such as the United Nations and the African Union.
Akande’s academic background includes studies at the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.
The International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is responsible for resolving legal disputes between countries and issuing advisory opinions on legal matters referred to it by authorised United Nations bodies.
His election represents a notable achievement for a Nigerian-trained legal scholar whose work has earned him recognition in the field of international law.
