A Nigerian-born international law scholar and UK nominee, Prof. Dapo Akande, has secured election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ principal judicial organ.
Akande was elected on Tuesday during concurrent voting by the UN General Assembly and Security Council at UN Headquarters, New York.
For almost a decade the UK has not had a judge in the International Court of Justice, but following a campaign backed by the Prime Minister, UK ministers and diplomats across the world, Professor Akande will now be a judge at the ICJ for the next 9 years.
“This election is a clear signal to our partners that the UK is back on the world stage and ready to play our part in ensuring global stability and upholding the rule of law.”
“Professor Akande will bring integrity, legal rigour and independent expertise to the International Court of Justice and I am incredibly proud that he is representing the UK,” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said
During the General Assembly’s Oct. 29 debate, British Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, praised Akande’s professional qualifications and independence.
“He would make a formidable contribution to its work,” Norris said while presenting Britain’s case for his election.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed his election, describing it as an important development for international justice.
Akande was among four candidates who secured the required majorities in both UN organs during the first round of voting.
He reportedly received 11 votes in the 15-member Security Council, exceeding the eight votes required for election.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, described the development as another significant achievement for Nigeria’s international standing.
In a statement issued in New York, Ibrahim said securing Security Council membership remained Nigeria’s major outstanding ambition within the UN system.
He maintained that Akande’s election reinforced Nigeria’s growing diplomatic and professional influence, particularly in international law and justice.
However, ICJ judges exercise independent judicial responsibilities and do not represent their countries’ governments.
Akande will begin his nine-year tenure on Feb. 6, 2027, joining the 15-member court headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
He is a Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, a Fellow of All Souls College and an International Law Commission member.
Akande obtained his law degree from the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, in 1992 and qualified as a Nigerian barrister and solicitor in 1993.
Professor Akande has built a career of global reach, and now one of the UK’s foremost international lawyers, with nearly three decades of experience as a scholar and practitioner.
He has acted as counsel, adviser and expert in cases before international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ.
As an independent practitioner, he has advised governments from States across all five UN regional groups, as well as international organisations including the UN and the African Union.