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Nigerian-Born Dapo Akande Elected Judge of the International Court of Justice
Nigerian-Born Dapo Akande Elected Judge of the International Court of Justice
Nigerian-born Professor Dapo Akande has been elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Akande, who contested as the United Kingdom’s candidate, secured the required majorities in both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
His election restores Britain’s representation on the 15-member World Court after nearly a decade without a UK judge.
The Oxford University professor will serve a nine-year term beginning February 6, 2027, alongside four other newly elected judges.
November 04, () – Nigerian-born international law scholar, Professor Dapo Akande, has been elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, in a development that marks a major milestone in his distinguished legal career.
Akande was elected on Tuesday, November 3, following separate but simultaneous voting by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York.
The professor, who contested as the United Kingdom’s candidate, secured the required absolute majorities in both UN organs to win election in the first round. He received 129 votes in the General Assembly, exceeding the required threshold of 97 votes.
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His election was confirmed by the University of Oxford on Wednesday, November 4, and welcomed by the British Government, which described the outcome as a return of UK representation to the World Court after almost a decade.
Akande will serve a nine-year term beginning February 6, 2027, on the 15-member court headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
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He was elected alongside four other candidates: François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan, Rena Lee of Singapore and Phoebe Okowa of Kenya.
The election involved nine candidates contesting five positions. While four candidates secured the required majorities in both UN organs in the first round, further voting was required to resolve the contest for the fifth position, which was eventually won by Okowa.
Under the ICJ’s electoral procedure, candidates must secure an absolute majority in both the General Assembly and Security Council, with each body voting independently.
Nigerian Roots, International Legal Career
Akande received his early legal education at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1992.
He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where he qualified as a barrister and solicitor in 1993, before pursuing postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
Akande obtained a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1994 and subsequently built an international career in public international law.
A Chichele Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of All Souls College, Akande assumed the prestigious professorial chair in 2023.
He is also co-director of Oxford’s Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict and a practising barrister at Essex Court Chambers.
Since 2021, he has served as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, an expert body responsible for promoting the progressive development and codification of international law.
His professional experience includes acting as counsel, adviser and expert in cases before several international judicial bodies, including the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He has also advised governments and international organisations, including the United Nations, African Union Commission and Commonwealth Secretariat.
Akande Pledges Impartiality
Reacting to his election, Akande expressed gratitude to the countries that supported his candidacy, pledging to discharge his judicial responsibilities independently and impartially.
He said he was deeply honoured by the confidence reposed in him by member states and would approach his responsibilities through a faithful application of international law.
His election was also welcomed by the British Government, which had actively campaigned for his candidacy.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the professor, describing his election as a demonstration of the UK’s commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, also welcomed the outcome, expressing confidence that Akande’s expertise and experience would make a significant contribution to the court.
His emergence restores British representation on the ICJ bench after the country’s previous candidate, Christopher Greenwood, failed to secure re-election in 2017.
Nigeria Welcomes Election
In Nigeria, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, congratulated Akande, describing his election as a proud moment for the country and Africa.
Kalu recalled receiving the professor at the National Assembly on June 3, 2026, alongside officials of the British High Commission, when he expressed support for his candidacy.
The Deputy Speaker said Akande’s emergence demonstrated the quality of Nigerian-trained professionals and represented an important contribution to Africa’s presence in international judicial institutions.
He expressed confidence that the professor’s knowledge of international law and experience in handling complex legal disputes would contribute to the advancement of justice globally.
Although Akande was born and received his initial legal training in Nigeria, he contested under the United Kingdom’s nomination. He holds dual British-Nigerian nationality.
The International Court of Justice
Established in 1945 under the United Nations Charter, the International Court of Justice began operations in 1946 as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The court comprises 15 judges elected independently by the General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms, with five positions ordinarily contested every three years.
Its primary responsibility is to settle legal disputes submitted by sovereign states and provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and specialised agencies.
Unlike the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals accused of crimes under international law, the ICJ deals principally with disputes between states.
The court handles cases involving territorial disputes, treaty obligations, diplomatic relations and allegations of violations of international law.
Among its prominent cases are South Africa’s proceedings against Israel under the Genocide Convention over the war in Gaza and The Gambia’s case against Myanmar over alleged genocide against the Rohingya people.
Akande and the four other newly elected judges are expected to assume office on February 6, 2027, for their respective nine-year terms.
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