The Federal Republic of Nigeria has officially nominated Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias as its candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to a statement posted on X by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Tuesday.
In the statement, Tuggar, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian government, described Dr. Elias as “one of the most respected figures in the field of international law,” highlighting his extensive legal scholarship, decades of service to the global community, and commitment to justice, equity, and the rule of law. Tuggar emphasized that Dr. Elias’s work reflects “the ideals upon which the ICJ was founded and the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
The nomination is presented as part of Nigeria’s support for a rules-based international order. The statement asserts Nigeria’s belief in a system “in which justice is impartial, peace is safeguarded, and all nations, regardless of size or power, have an equal voice in shaping a fairer and more secure future for humanity.”
Tuggar’s statement further calls on the international community to back Dr. Elias’s candidacy, expressing confidence that his election would “strengthen the cause of global justice and advance the peaceful settlement of disputes among nations.”
The International Court of Justice serves as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, responsible for adjudicating disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on international legal issues. Nigeria’s nomination of Dr. Elias marks a significant moment in its engagement with the global legal order, positioning the country to have a voice in one of the foremost institutions for international law and diplomacy.
