By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria is fully committed to securing a position on the 15-member International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, with Dr. Olufemi Elias as the country’s candidate for the upcoming election in November 2026.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, reaffirmed this commitment during a courtesy visit by Elias to the ministry’s headquarters at Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja. During the visit, he formally sought the government’s support for his candidacy.
Dr. Elias, a distinguished legal scholar, brings extensive experience in international law. His late father, Taslim Olawale Elias, made history as the first African to serve as President of the ICJ in 1982 and later as a judge at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Ambassador Ojukwu emphasized that Elias’ expertise in the United Nations system and international legal affairs makes him a strong contender for the role. She noted that his candidacy aligns with Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to global justice, human rights, and the rule of law.
Congratulating him on his achievements, Ojukwu acknowledged the significance of Nigeria’s representation at the ICJ, stressing that Africa remains a key constituency in international legal affairs. Given Nigeria’s prominent role on the continent, she affirmed that the country must have a voice in the ICJ.
She said: “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”.
Dr. Olufemi Elias expressed to the minister that his career has been dedicated entirely to public international law, with most of his experience gained as an international civil servant.
He extended his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for endorsing his candidacy, assuring that if elected as a judge of the ICJ, he would serve with dedication and integrity.
Elias further emphasized that he possesses the necessary qualifications for the position and pledged to uphold Nigeria’s reputation with honor and distinction.
“I can do the work because I am there. That’s a big boost for me. So, I have received 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.
Dr. Olufemi Elias has built a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in international organizations, holding key judicial and administrative positions. He has served as a Judge and Vice-Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, a Judge for Staff Appeals at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and the Executive Secretary of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal.
His expertise includes developing and implementing policies for resolving employment disputes, and he recently contributed as a member of the Independent Panel of Experts reviewing the Dispute Resolution System at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Dr. Elias has also held significant leadership roles within the United Nations, including serving as the Registrar of the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, with the rank of Assistant Secretary-General. Additionally, he was the Legal Adviser (Director) at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and worked with the UN Compensation Commission as both a legal adviser in its Governing Council Secretariat and as Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary.
Beyond his international service, he has an extensive academic background. Earlier in his career, he lectured in law at the University of Buckingham and King’s College, University of London. Since 2006, he has been a visiting Professor of International Law at Queen Mary, University of London, and has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, the University of Amsterdam, and Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
A respected legal scholar, Dr. Elias is a member of the Institut de Droit International and was honored with the American Society of International Law’s Honorary Member Award in 2018 for his outstanding contributions to international law. He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar.