Nigerian-Born Scholar Dapo Akande Elected as ICJ Judge

By Trending9ja Staff • November 4, 2026 • 1 min read

Nigerian-born legal scholar Professor Dapo Akande has been elected to serve as a judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to Vanguard. He is expected to serve a minimum nine-year tenure as part of the 15-member panel governing the primary legal branch of the United Nations.

Before building a global academic career, Akande originally earned his legal qualifications in Nigeria. He presently works as a professor of public international law at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and is a fellow at All Souls College. Additionally, he serves as a member of the UN International Law Commission, an institution tasked with developing global legal regulations.

Vanguard reported that Akande's success represents a major diplomatic achievement for the United Kingdom. The UK had been without a sitting representative on the global bench since 2017, when Sir Christopher Greenwood failed to secure re-election against an Indian candidate.

Reacting to his election, Akande voiced gratitude to the member states that backed his candidacy. He promised to discharge his international judicial duties impartially and independently, ensuring that cases before the court are determined through a faithful application of the law.

Sources: Vanguard