A professor of public international law at the University of Oxford, Dapo Akande is set to be nominated by the United Kingdom, UK for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a statement, Joanna Roper, UK ambassador to the Netherlands and ICJ representative, said Akande will be nominated in 2026.
“The UK is pleased to announce that Professor Dapo Akande will be nominated for election as a judge to the International Court of Justice in 2026 by the UK National Group,” the statement reads.
Roper said Akande is an “outstanding” international lawyer “who will bring deep legal expertise and experience to the ICJ”.
Who is Dapo Akande?
Dapo Akande is a distinguished legal expert born and raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Akande completed his LLB at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and has since built a stellar career in public international law, accumulating over 25 years of experience.
Akande began his legal journey as a research assistant to Bola Ajibola (KBE SAN), a former Attorney-General of Nigeria. His expertise spans various prestigious international forums, including the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Throughout his career, Akande has served as a consultant to numerous esteemed international organizations, such as the ICC, the United Nations, the African Union (AU), NATO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Commonwealth Secretariat. His work reflects a steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of international law and fortifying the Nigerian legal system.
In addition to representing Nigeria before the ICJ and ITLOS, Professor Akande has played a crucial role in enhancing justice and accountability in Nigeria. He has provided training for the Federal Director of Public Prosecution and the Nigerian Army, focusing on justice and capacity building to address complex crimes under Nigerian criminal law.
