Nigeria has nominated Olufemi Elias as the country’s candidate to lead the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, for the 2027 to 2036 term. The ICJ, established in 1945 as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, is responsible for settling disputes between states based on international law.
The Court consists of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms, with an election for new judges scheduled for 2026.
Elias, who is currently serving as Judge Ad Hoc at the ICJ, is also a full member of the Institut de Droit International. He has a distinguished career in international law, having held prominent positions such as the UN Assistant Secretary-General and the Legal Adviser and Director at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. Should he be elected, Elias would become the fourth Nigerian to serve on the ICJ, following in the footsteps of Charles Onyeama, Bola Ajibola, and Taslim Elias.
The nomination was formally presented to the UN diplomatic corps at the Nigeria House in New York by Samson Itegboje, the Charge d’Affaires of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN. Itegboje emphasized that Elias is highly qualified for the role, citing his extensive experience and long service at the United Nations.
Mohamed Mahmud, Minister Counselor and United Nations Elections Officer for Nigeria’s Permanent Mission, highlighted the large turnout of diplomats at the event, noting that it reflected the respect and goodwill Nigeria has earned within the global diplomatic community.
Itegboje also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to abiding by all binding ICJ decisions in accordance with Article 59 of the Court’s Statute.
