Nigeria backs Olufemi Elias for ICJ election — Minister 

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, has declared Nigeria’s resolve to secure a seat in the 15-member International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, with Dr. Olufemi Elias as the country’s candidate for the November 2026 election.

The minister disclosed this when Elias paid her a courtesy visit at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja, to seek the ministry’s unalloyed support to actualise his ambition.

Elias, an erudite international jurist will bring deep legal expertise and experience to the ICJ. His late father, Taslim Olawale Elias was the first African to be appointed as President of the International Court of Justice (1982). Five years later, his father was also appointed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague as well.

Elias reflects Nigeria’s commitment to international justice, human rights and the international rule of law, Ojukwu said, noting that the candidate’s vast experience in the United Nations’ system and expertise, were enough to place him far ahead of other contestants.

The minister congratulated him for his achievements in the field of international law, pointing out that they were no mean feats even if he had worked in those places on ad hoc basis.

She highlighted that Africa is a very important constituency in the ICJ project, arguing that Nigeria’s significant role in the continent is such that it should be represented there.   

“With your background, your history within the institution and the UN system, your years of experience, even though it will be keenly contested, I don’t see the feasibility of you not emerging.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose officers have been your major campaigners, I congratulate you. Be rest assured that we will keep pushing until you get there and we have absolute confidence that not only will you make Nigeria proud but Africa. And you will leave your footprint on the global map. Be assured that between now and the election, we will keep pushing. The ICJ must be made fit-for-purpose. Seeing what is happening now with DRC and Rwanda, it means you have something already on your plate,” Amb. Ojukwu said. 

Earlier, Elias told the minister that he has devoted his entire professional life to public international law, with a greater part of it as an international civil servant.

He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for endorsing him as Nigeria’s candidate, promising to serve meritoriously if elected Judge of the ICJ.

Elias, who noted that he has the requisite qualifications for the job, also pledged to remain a good ambassador of Nigeria.

“I can do the work because I am there. That’s a big boost for me. So, I have received the Nigerian President’s endorsement. I have come to see you to please have my matter on your card whenever you meet. 

“The election is November 2026- that’s almost two years away. What this means is that we are starting on time,” Elias said. 

With over 25 years service in international organisations, among which were Judge and Vice-Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, Elias also served as a Judge for Staff Appeals at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and as the Executive Secretary of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal.

He has extensive experience in the design and implementation of policies and processes for the resolution of employment disputes. He recently served as a member of the Independent Panel of Experts tasked with the review of the Dispute Resolution System at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He has served as the Registrar of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, with the rank of an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. He was also the Legal Adviser (Director) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Dr Elias worked with the United Nations Compensation Commission as a legal adviser in its Governing Council Secretariat and later as Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Commission. He was also a law lecturer at the University of Buckingham and King’s College, University of London earlier in his career. He has been a visiting Professor in International Law at Queen Mary, University of London since 2006, and has taught in international law at several prestigious universities and institutions, including the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, University of Amsterdam, and Tufts University (Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy).

Elias is a member of the Institut de Droit International. He is the recipient of the Honorary Member Award of the American Society of International Law in 2018 for distinguished service to international law. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar.

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