The Federal Government of Nigeria has nominated Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias as the country’s candidate for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the main judicial arm of the United Nations.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Tuesday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to the minister, Dr. Elias is a highly respected expert in international law with years of experience, and his work reflects the values of justice, fairness, and global peace.
“Dr. Elias stands among the most respected figures in the field of international law,” Tuggar said. “He has a strong record of legal scholarship and service to the international community.”
Tuggar added that the nomination shows Nigeria’s commitment to a fair and rules-based international system where every country, big or small, has a voice.
The International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, Netherlands, settles legal disputes between countries and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. Judges are elected by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms.
The Nigerian government is calling on other countries to support Dr. Elias’s nomination, expressing confidence that he will promote peace and justice worldwide if elected.