The Federal Government has announced the nomination of Dr. Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, on Thursday in Abuja during the formal presentation of Dr. Elias to members of the Diplomatic Community ahead of the ICJ elections scheduled for November in The Hague, Netherlands.
Tuggar described Dr. Elias, who currently serve as an ad hoc judge at the ICJ, as a jurist of “learning, integrity and vision,” noting that his nomination underscores Nigeria’s renewed commitment to promoting the rule of law in international relations.
“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am honoured to announce the nomination of Dr. Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the ICJ,” Tuggar said.
“Elias’ candidacy reaffirms our long-standing belief that law, not power, should govern international relations.”
The minister explained that Nigeria last occupied a seat at the World Court through the late Justice Bola Ajibola, who served until 1994. He described the new nomination as “a defining moment for Nigeria, Africa, and the global rule of law.”
Tuggar further noted that the ECOWAS subregion has not had representation at the ICJ since Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone completed his tenure in 2011.
“This long silence must end. The ICJ must reflect equitable geographical representation. Africa’s voice must be heard again in shaping the international legal order,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Elias expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for the confidence reposed in him, emphasizing that his candidacy represents Africa’s intellectual and legal strength.
“This is not merely a Nigerian candidacy it is a reaffirmation of Africa’s legal intellect, independence, and commitment to global justice,” he stated.
A distinguished international lawyer, Dr. Elias is a member of the Institut de Droit International and has served as Legal Adviser and Director at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.
He is currently President of the Administrative Tribunal of the OPEC Fund for International Development, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, and a former President and member of the OPEC Appeals Committee.
With over 30 years of global legal and diplomatic experience, Dr. Elias could become the fourth Nigerian to serve at the ICJ, following Charles Onyeama, Bola Ajibola, and Taslim Elias, his late father.
