The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on members of the international community to support the candidacy of Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias for election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday during a formal presentation of Dr. Elias to the diplomatic corps ahead of the ICJ elections scheduled for November 2025.
Ambassador Tuggar highlighted that Nigeria, despite being Africa’s most populous nation, has not had a representative on the ICJ bench for over three decades. He added that the last judge from the ECOWAS sub-region to serve on the Court was Justice Abdul Koroma of Sierra Leone, who completed his second term in 2011.
According to Tuggar, Dr. Elias’s nomination underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international law, multilateralism, and equitable geographical representation within global institutions. “This occasion is more than a formal introduction; it is a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s enduring commitment to international law and multilateralism,” Tuggar said. “It also represents our belief that Africa, particularly the ECOWAS sub-region, must continue to play a significant role in shaping the global legal order.”
The minister described Dr. Elias as an eminent jurist of impeccable integrity and global repute, whose professional credentials align with the ICJ’s standards for appointment. “Dr. Elias embodies the qualities envisaged in Article 2 of the Statute of the Court — a person of high moral character, qualified for the highest judicial office, and recognized for his competence in international law,” Tuggar stated.
He noted that Dr. Elias’s distinguished career combines academic excellence, multilateral service, and judicial experience. A widely published scholar and full member of the Institut de Droit International, Dr. Elias has served in senior roles within the United Nations system, rising to the position of Assistant Secretary-General.
Tuggar further emphasized that Dr. Elias’s vast exposure to international legal practice, peacekeeping, disarmament, and sustainable development uniquely positions him to serve effectively on the world’s highest judicial body. “He has presided over several international administrative tribunals and currently serves as a judge ad hoc at the ICJ. His depth of knowledge, judicial temperament, and practical experience are precisely what the Court requires in addressing today’s increasingly complex disputes,” Tuggar added.
Reiterating Nigeria’s long-standing respect for international law and adherence to ICJ rulings, Tuggar appealed to foreign governments for their endorsement of Dr. Elias’s candidacy in both the UN General Assembly and Security Council elections. “Supporting Dr. Elias is not just about Nigeria; it is about ensuring that Africa continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of international jurisprudence,” Tuggar said. “His election would restore regional balance and reaffirm our shared belief that law — not power — should govern relations among nations.”
He concluded by describing Dr. Elias as “a jurist of learning, experience, and vision” who embodies Africa’s legacy of excellence and commitment to the global rule of law.
