Nigerian-born legal scholar Professor Dapo Akande has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), marking a significant milestone in his distinguished international legal career and bringing recognition to his Nigerian roots.
Akande secured the position on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, following an election conducted by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York.
He contested as the United Kingdom’s candidate and will serve a nine-year term beginning on February 6, 2027, at the world’s principal court for resolving legal disputes between countries.
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The election makes Akande one of the 15 judges who will sit on the ICJ, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
According to the official UN election record, Akande received 129 votes in the General Assembly, exceeding the required absolute majority of 97. He also secured the necessary majority in the Security Council, making him one of four candidates elected during the first round of voting.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced his emergence, describing his election as an important development for the country’s contribution to international justice and the rule of law.
The British government had supported his candidature through a diplomatic campaign involving senior government officials and diplomats.
Reacting to his election, Akande expressed appreciation to the countries that supported his candidature and pledged to discharge his responsibilities independently and impartially.
He said he looked forward to contributing to the court’s important role in resolving disputes between countries through peaceful means.
Akande’s emergence has also attracted attention in Nigeria, given his Nigerian birth and legal background.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, congratulated President Bola Tinubu over the development, describing it as another significant achievement for the country’s international standing.
Ibrahim reportedly noted that the election reflected the growing influence of Nigerians and people of Nigerian origin in international institutions.
However, Akande was nominated by the United Kingdom and elected as its candidate. His appointment should not be interpreted as a Nigerian government nomination or as a position to represent Nigeria at the court.
Under the ICJ’s rules, judges serve in their individual capacity and are expected to exercise independent judicial judgment rather than act as representatives of their respective countries.
Who Is Professor Dapo Akande?
Professor Dapo Akande is a renowned scholar and practitioner of public international law, with nearly three decades of experience in legal research, teaching and international legal practice.
He is the Chichele Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of All Souls College, one of the university’s distinguished academic institutions.
He is also a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, an independent body responsible for promoting the progressive development and codification of international law.
Akande’s professional experience includes advising governments, international organisations and other institutions on complex legal matters.
He has also participated in legal proceedings before several international courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice.
His areas of expertise include international humanitarian law, international criminal law, the law governing international organisations and disputes involving the use of force.
Before building his international academic career, Akande obtained his legal education in Nigeria and qualified as a Nigerian barrister and solicitor.
His appointment therefore represents a notable achievement for a legal scholar whose professional journey connects Nigeria’s legal education system with some of the world’s leading academic and judicial institutions.
What the ICJ Does
Established in 1945 under the United Nations Charter, the International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The court handles legal disputes submitted by countries and provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and specialised agencies.
Its responsibilities include addressing disputes involving territorial boundaries, diplomatic relations, treaty interpretation, state responsibility and other matters governed by international law.
The ICJ has 15 judges, who are elected independently by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms. Elections are conducted by secret ballot, and candidates must secure an absolute majority in both bodies.
Akande’s election comes at a significant period for the court, which continues to handle major international disputes involving questions of sovereignty, human rights, armed conflict and the interpretation of international treaties.
He will officially assume his judicial responsibilities on February 6, 2027, joining the other newly elected judges for the 2027–2036 term.
His emergence adds another prominent Nigerian-born professional to the growing list of individuals of Nigerian origin making contributions to important international institutions.
