Nigerian-born legal expert, Professor Dapo Akande, has been elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), marking a major achievement in his professional career and a diplomatic success for the United Kingdom.
Akande, who initially qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria, will serve a nine-year term as one of the 15 judges of the United Nations’ highest judicial body.
His election comes amid growing international attention on the role of international law, with the ICJ serving as a key institution for resolving disputes between countries and providing guidance on major legal questions.
Akande is a globally recognised authority on public international law and has advised and represented parties in proceedings before international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ.
Following his election, he thanked the countries that supported his candidacy and pledged to carry out his judicial duties independently and impartially.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected to the international court of justice.
“I am incredibly grateful to all the states that have put their faith in me. I pledge to serve with independence and to deciding cases on the basis of a faithful and impartial application of the law. I look forward to contributing to the ICJ’s vital work in helping to resolve disputes by peaceful means, alongside the other colleagues elected today,” he said.
Here are five key facts about the Nigerian-born professor and his new role on the international judicial body.
1. He qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria
Akande started his legal career in Nigeria, where he obtained his initial professional qualification before establishing himself internationally as an expert in public international law.
His Nigerian legal training has remained an important foundation of his career, which has since taken him to some of the world’s leading academic and legal institutions.
2. He is a professor at the University of Oxford
Akande holds a professorship in Public International Law at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
He is also a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, one of the university’s most prestigious academic institutions.
Through his teaching and research, he has contributed significantly to the study and advancement of international law, particularly the legal principles regulating relations between countries.
3. He serves on the UN International Law Commission
In addition to his academic responsibilities, Akande is an elected member of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC).
The commission works to advance the development and codification of international law.
His membership reflects his expertise in the field and his contribution to discussions on the legal rules governing relations among states.
4. He has represented parties before international courts
Akande has considerable experience providing legal advice and representing parties in disputes before international courts and tribunals.
He has worked as counsel, adviser and expert in various international legal proceedings, including cases heard by the International Court of Justice.
His background in international litigation is expected to be valuable in carrying out his duties as a judge of the world’s principal judicial body.
5. His election is a diplomatic success for the UK
Akande’s appointment is also an important development for the United Kingdom, which had not had a judge on the ICJ since 2017.
In that year, British judge Sir Christopher Greenwood unexpectedly lost his re-election bid to an Indian candidate, making it the first time in the court’s 71-year history that Britain had no representative among its judges.
Akande’s election restores the UK’s representation on the 15-member court and is regarded as a significant diplomatic achievement for the country.
The UK Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris, actively campaigned for his election, describing him as a candidate with the independence, legal rigour, judgment and broad perspective required for the position.