Professor Dapo Akande first ever candidate to be nominated by both the United Kingdom and Nigeria for the International Law Commission
Professor Dapo Akande, who has been nominated as the UK’s candidate for the International Law Commission (ILC) for the period 2023 to 2027, is the first candidate to have be co-nominated by Nigeria.
Professor Akande, Professor of Public International Law at Blavatnik School of Government, is a world-renowned expert in Public International Law who has more than 25 years of legal experience. Raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, he qualified as a lawyer from the Nigerian Law School, and received his LLB at Obafemi Awolowo University.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has strongly supported Professor Akande’s campaign:
“The United Kingdom is pleased to nominate Professor Dapo Akande as our candidate for the International Law Commission for the period 2023 to 2027. The UK has always been a strong supporter of the International Law Commission and is proud of the contribution that British international lawyers have made to its work. I believe that Professor Akande is perfectly positioned to strengthen this contribution yet further.”
Catriona Laing CB, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, reiterated this endorsement:
“This joint support by both our countries for an eminently qualified legal scholar reflects the strong people-to-people ties between the UK and Nigeria. It also demonstrates our support to UK leadership in important international institutions, and to advancing the rule of law across the globe.”
Professor Akande has commented:
“I am humbled to have been co-nominated by Nigeria for the International Law Commission, alongside the UK. This is a great honour as I was born, educated and started my legal journey in Nigeria. Throughout my career, I have been proud to represent Nigeria before international courts, and to help strengthen its legal system by providing training in international law to lawyers and government officials.”
“It would be a privilege to be elected to the International Law Commission and I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to its work. My vision is clear: the codification and progressive development of international law can strengthen the rules on which international cooperation is based, and help promote a just and peaceful system of international relations.”
For further information, please see Professor Akande’s campaign brochure.