Nigeria Makes Strong Bid For ICJ Seat, Nominates Dr Taoheed Elias
In a renewed push to strengthen Africa’s voice in global justice, Nigeria has announced Dr Taoheed Elias as its official candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The announcement, made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during a presentation to members of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja, signals Nigeria’s most ambitious diplomatic bid in more than three decades to reclaim a seat on the ICJ bench — a position last held by the late Justice Bola Ajibola until 1994.
Ambassador Tuggar described Dr Elias, currently serving as an ad hoc judge at the ICJ, as a jurist of “learning, integrity and vision,” whose career reflects Africa’s enduring contribution to international law.
“This nomination is not only for Nigeria but for the entire ECOWAS subregion, which has had no representation on the ICJ since 2011,” the minister said. “Elias’ candidacy reaffirms our nation’s belief that law, not power, should govern international relations.”
Accepting the nomination, Dr Elias emphasised that his candidacy represents Africa’s intellectual and moral commitment to global justice. “This is not merely a Nigerian bid,” he stated, “but a reaffirmation of Africa’s legal intellect, independence and dedication to the rule of law.”
A respected figure in international law, Dr Taoheed Elias has served as legal adviser at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, president of the OPEC Fund’s administrative tribunal, and chairman of the Islamic Development Bank’s tribunal.
With over 30 years of international legal experience, he could become the fourth Nigerian to serve on the ICJ — following in the footsteps of Charles Onyeama, Bola Ajibola, and his father, Taslim Elias.
The ICJ election is scheduled for November in The Hague, Netherlands.
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