Reps Throw Weight Behind Nigerian-Born Scholar’s Bid for World Court Seat

…Akande’s Nomination Reflects Nigeria’s Global Legal Excellence, Says Deputy Speaker Kalu

By Pan Afric Reporters

The House of Representatives has formally endorsed the candidacy of renowned Nigerian-born international law scholar, Professor Dapo Akande, for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), describing his bid as a significant opportunity to strengthen Africa’s voice on the world’s highest judicial bench.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, made the declaration on Wednesday while receiving Professor Akande and officials of the British High Commission during a courtesy visit to the National Assembly in Abuja.

The endorsement came as Nigeria renewed calls for greater African representation in global legal institutions, with Kalu describing Akande’s candidacy as both a national achievement and a symbol of international recognition of Nigerian excellence.

The position of the House was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Deputy Speaker and signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.

Speaking during the meeting, Kalu said Akande’s nomination by the United Kingdom for the 2027–2036 ICJ term was far more than a symbolic gesture.

“As Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is my honour to receive Professor Akande and to say clearly, as a Nigerian and as a parliamentarian, that his candidacy for the International Court of Justice is one that commands the admiration and personal support of this House,” Kalu stated.

He described the nomination as a reflection of the deepening strategic relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and an acknowledgement of the contributions of Nigerians on the global stage.

“The nomination of a Nigerian-born scholar to the world’s highest judicial bench is not symbolic. It is structural recognition of a shared legal destiny,” he said.

Kalu argued that Africa’s presence at the ICJ should not be viewed through the lens of sentiment but as a matter of justice and equitable representation.

“Africa’s presence on the world’s highest bench is not a matter of sentiment. It is a matter of justice. And in this House, we have always believed that justice delayed is not merely a legal failure; it is a moral one,” he added.

The Deputy Speaker, who holds a doctorate degree in law, traced Akande’s journey from Nigeria to global prominence, noting that his achievements continue to inspire Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

“Everything you have become—from the Chichele Professor of Public International Law at All Souls College, Oxford, to counsel before the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea—began in Ibadan. It began with an LLB at Obafemi Awolowo University and a call to the Nigerian Bar,” he said.

“You carry more flags than you perhaps know, and this House receives you proudly as a son of the soil.”

Kalu also linked Akande’s candidacy to the aspirations of thousands of Nigerians living abroad.

“Professor Akande, your candidacy speaks to every one of those Nigerians in the diaspora. It tells them that excellence forged in Nigeria travels, and when it arrives, the world takes note,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for promoting Nigeria’s interests at the highest levels of international diplomacy.

“I commend the Tinubu-led administration and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs for championing Nigeria’s representation at the highest levels of international justice. Nigeria has a proud history at the ICJ, and that history must continue,” Kalu said.

He urged the Federal Government to leverage Nigeria’s diplomatic influence within the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations General Assembly to support Akande’s election.

Kalu also challenged the legal scholar to uphold justice, fairness and international accountability if elected to the ICJ.

“Africa does not merely need judges. It needs judges who understand that law is not description; it is protection,” he said.

“Double standards in international justice weaken treaty regimes, undermine cooperation and erode trust in multilateralism itself.”

Earlier, Professor Akande explained that his visit was aimed at seeking Nigeria’s support for his candidacy and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the rule of law globally.

He praised Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional democracy and legal reforms, particularly the role of the National Assembly in strengthening democratic governance.

Akande pledged that if elected to the ICJ, he would continue to promote fairness, justice and adherence to international law.

“I am here to seek the support of my country. Nigeria has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rule of law both nationally and internationally, and I will continue to work towards strengthening those values globally if elected,” he said.

Professor Akande, one of the world’s leading authorities on international law, is seeking election to the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, for the 2027–2036 term.