Professor Dapo Akande, a Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, has been nominated as the UK's candidate for the International Law Commission (ILC) for the period 2023 to 2027. The warm endorsement of Professor Akande's candidacy by both the United Kingdom and Nigeria demonstrates the high value they place on the Professor's experience, expertise and commitment to upholding the highest standards in international law. It also demonstrates our shared confidence that he will bring those high standards to the ILC.
Professor Akande is a world-renowned expert in Public International Law, as both an academic and independent practitioner 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. He is currently Professor of Public International Law at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Professor Akande began his legal career as a Research Assistant to Judge Bola Ajibola, KBE SAN, and he is an Editorial Board Member for the Nigerian Yearbook of International Law.
As Counsel or Adviser, Professor Akande has worked on international litigation before the:
- International Court of Justice
- International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
- World Trade Organisation
- International Criminal Court
- European Court of Human Rights
He has also worked on cases involving Public International Law in domestic courts.
Professor Akande has also served as a consultant to international organisations, including:
- the United Nations (UN)
- the African Union (AU)
- the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- the International Criminal Court (ICC)
- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- the Commonwealth Secretariat
During his career, Professor Akande has demonstrated a strong and longstanding commitment to promoting the highest standards in international law and also to strengthening the Nigerian legal system. He has represented Nigeria before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and at Arbitral Tribunals. He also provided training to the Federal Director of Public Prosecution and the Nigerian Army on strengthening justice and accountability in Nigeria and capacity building for prosecutors to address the most serious and complex crimes under Nigerian criminal law.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, noted Professor Akande's professional accomplishments and breadth of experience in a statement endorsing him:
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.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing CB, reiterated the UK's support for Professor Akande's bid for the ILC position:
I am delighted that the UK Government and the Government of Nigeria will be co-nominating Professor Dapo Akande for the International Law Commission election in November 2021. 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 describes his vision for seeking the ILC position by saying:
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.
Notes
- The International Law Commission is a body of experts responsible for helping develop and codify international law based in Geneva. It is composed of 34 individuals recognised for their expertise and qualifications in international law, who are elected by the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly every 5 years. The term of current 34 members will expire at the end of 2022, and the new members will begin a five-year term on 1 January 2023. There are 8 seats available for those from Western European and Other Group (WEOG).
- Professor Dapo Akande is the United Kingdom candidate for the International Law Commission for the term 2023-2027, co-nominated by Nigeria. Throughout the campaign, Professor Akande will hold talks on topical legal subjects.
- The nomination period for the election to the International Law Commission, to be held in November 2021, is open and closes on 1 June 2021.
- Visit the International Law Commission's website
