The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has announced Dr Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for the election into the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The ICJ, widely regarded as the highest court for resolving disputes between sovereign states, was established in 1945 as the UN’s principal judicial body.
Tuggar made the announcement on Thursday during the presentation of Dr Elias to members of the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria, ahead of the World Court election scheduled for November in The Hague, Netherlands.
Describing the Nigerian international lawyer currently serving as an ad hoc judge at the ICJ—as a respected figure in international law, the minister praised his distinguished record of legal scholarship.
“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.
“The Federal Government has officially nominated Dr Elias as the country’s candidate for election to the ICJ, also known as the World Court. His candidacy reaffirms Nigeria’s long-standing belief that law, not power, should govern international relations.
“This announcement marks Nigeria’s strongest diplomatic bid in over three decades to reclaim a seat on the ICJ bench.”
He recalled that the position was last occupied by Nigeria through the late Justice Bola Ajibola, who served until 1994, adding that “the move for Elias is a defining moment for Nigeria, Africa, and the global rule of law.
“Elias is a jurist of learning, integrity, and vision, a man whose scholarship and service reflect Africa’s enduring contributions to international law.
“The nomination of Elias represents not just Nigeria’s interest but that of the entire ECOWAS subregion, which has had no representation at the ICJ since Judge Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone in 2011.
“This long silence must end. The ICJ must reflect equitable geographical representation. Africa’s voice must be renewed in shaping the international legal order.”
In his remarks, Dr Elias said his eligibility for the ICJ seat was based on decades of teaching, scholarship, and research in international law.
“This is not merely a Nigerian candidacy; it is a reaffirmation of Africa’s legal intellect, independence, and commitment to global justice,” he stated.
The renowned jurist 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 in The Hague.
He is currently the President of the Administrative Tribunal of the OPEC Fund for International Development, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, and 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 if elected—following in the footsteps of Charles Onyeama, Bola Ajibola, and his father, Taslim Elias.
