Benjamin Kalu Congratulates Prof. Dapo Akande on Election to International Court of Justice, Hails Nigeria’s Global Legal Excellence

Benjamin Kalu Congratulates Prof. Dapo Akande on Election to International Court of Justice, Hails Nigeria’s Global Legal Excellence

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated Nigerian-born international law scholar, Professor Dapo Akande, on his election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), describing the development as a significant achievement for Nigeria and the African continent.

Kalu said Akande’s emergence at the world’s principal judicial organ was a testament to his exceptional intellectual capacity, distinguished career in international law and the growing recognition of Nigerian professionals on the global stage.

The Deputy Speaker, in a congratulatory message, recalled receiving the renowned legal scholar at the National Assembly on June 3, 2026, alongside officials of the British High Commission, during which he expressed support for Akande’s candidacy.

He noted that Akande’s impressive academic and professional record had inspired confidence in his ability to make meaningful contributions to international justice, adding that his election had vindicated the confidence expressed during the visit.

Akande: From Nigerian Legal Training to Oxford and International Adjudication

Professor Akande’s election is particularly noteworthy given his extensive contributions to the development and application of international law. He is the Chichele Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, a Fellow of All Souls College and Co-Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict.

He is also a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, an institution responsible for the codification and progressive development of international law, and a practising barrister at Essex Court Chambers in London.

File Pictures: Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR and Professor Dapo Akande (recently elected as ICJ Judge) during his visit to the Deputy Speaker in June, 2026

His academic journey began in Nigeria, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ife in 1992 before qualifying as a barrister and solicitor at the Nigerian Law School in 1993. He subsequently earned an LL.M from the London School of Economics in 1994 and built an outstanding academic and professional career in the United Kingdom.

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Over nearly three decades, Akande has advised governments, international organisations and other institutions on complex legal questions. His professional engagements have included cases before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the European Court of Human Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He has also contributed to international legal debates involving armed conflict, human rights, international criminal law, cyber operations and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

His election took place on November 3, 2026, and he is expected to serve a nine-year tenure from 2027 to 2036 on the 15-member court, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, with responsibility for resolving legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on questions of international law.

Although Akande was elected as the United Kingdom’s candidate and is a dual UK-Nigerian national, his Nigerian birth, legal education and professional roots make the achievement a source of considerable pride for Nigeria. His election also offers an opportunity to highlight the contributions of African-trained legal minds to international jurisprudence.

Kalu: Nigeria Must Continue to Celebrate Excellence

Reacting to the development, Kalu expressed confidence that Akande’s wealth of experience, intellectual depth and commitment to the rule of law would strengthen the work of the ICJ and contribute to the advancement of international justice.

File Pictures: Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR and Professor Dapo Akande (recently elected as ICJ Judge) during his visit to the Deputy Speaker in June, 2026

The Deputy Speaker noted that the election was not merely a personal accomplishment for the distinguished professor but also a reminder of the enormous intellectual resources and professional talent Nigeria possesses.

He congratulated Akande once again, wishing him success as he assumes the responsibility of contributing to the work of one of the world’s most important judicial institutions.

The development adds to the growing international recognition of Nigerians whose expertise and accomplishments continue to command respect across different professional fields.

For Kalu, Akande’s emergence is a moment worthy of national celebration and a reminder that Nigerian excellence, when given the opportunity to flourish, can make meaningful contributions to global institutions.