Why Nigeria Backs Olufemi Elias For ICJ Candidature–Bianca

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. has said the federal government has declared support for the candidature of Dr. Olufemi Elias to secure a seat in the 15-member International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.

Dr.  Elias is the country’s candidate for the November 2026 election and the Minister said the country will give him all the support he needed  to actualize is ambition even as she expressed confidence that the candidate’s vast experience in the United Nations’ system and expertise, were enough to place him far ahead of other contestants.

The minister disclosed this when Elias paid her a courtesy visit at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja, to seek the ministry’s  support to actualise his ambition which was made available to newsmen in a press statement by Magnus Eze, the Special Assistant on Communication & New Media to the Minister.

“Elias, an erudite international jurist will bring deep legal expertise and experience to the ICJ. His late father, Taslim Olawale Elias was the first African to be appointed as President of the International Court of Justice (1982). Five years later, his father was also appointed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague as well.

“Elias reflects Nigeria’s commitment to international justice, human rights and the international rule of law,” Ojukwu said.

The minister congratulated him for his achievements in the field of international law, pointing out that they were no mean feats even if he had worked in those places on ad hoc basis.

She highlighted that Africa is a very important constituency in the ICJ project, arguing that Nigeria’s significant role in the continent is such that it should be represented there.

“With your background, your history within the institution and the UN system, your years of experience, even though it will be keenly contested, I don’t see the feasibility of you not emerging.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose officers have been your major campaigners, I congratulate you. Be rest assured that we will keep pushing until you get there and we have absolute confidence that not only will you make Nigeria proud but Africa. And you will leave your footprint on the global map. Be assured that between now and the election, we will keep pushing. The ICJ must be made fit-for-purpose. Seeing what is happening now with DRC and Rwanda, it means you have something already on your plate,” Amb. Ojukwu said.

Earlier, Elias told the minister that he has devoted his entire professional life to public international law, with greater part of it as an international civil servant, even as he pledged to remain a good ambassador of Nigeria.

“I can do the work because I am there. That’s a big boost for me. So, I have received Nigerian President’s endorsement. I have come to see you to please have my matter on your card whenever you meet.

“The election is November 2026- that’s almost two years away. What this means is that we are starting on time,” Elias said.

With over 25 years’ service in international organisations, among which were Judge and Vice-Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, Elias also served as a Judge for Staff Appeals at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and as the Executive Secretary of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal.

He has extensive experience in the design and implementation of policies and processes for the resolution of employment disputes. He recently served as a member of the Independent Panel of Experts tasked with the review of the Dispute Resolution System at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).