Nigerian Oluwafemi Elias Joins UN Law Commission

Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has announced the election of a Nigerian Oluwafemi Elias into the International Law Commission (ILC).

According to Ibrahim, the election took place during the 77th session of the Commission held in Geneva, even as he described his election into the ILC as one of his early wins since assuming office.

According to the envoy, Nigeria is “fully back” in the affairs of the UN, noting that President Tinubu should expect more of such diplomatic gains in his first 90 days in office.

The envoy said the Nigerian mission to the United Nations communicated the development to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abuja during the week.

Elias was elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Kenya’s representative Professor Phoebe Okowa, after a highly competitive process involving candidates from Botswana and Ghana.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his election represents a significant recognition of Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to the development and advancement of international law and multilateral diplomacy.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes with pride that Dr. Elias brings to the Commission decades of distinguished service and extensive experience in international legal affairs. He previously served as Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) with the rank of United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and held several prominent international legal positions, including Legal Adviser and Director at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Executive Secretary of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal, and Legal Adviser at the United Nations Compensation Commission, The statement said.

The International Law Commission, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947, plays a pivotal role in the progressive development and codification of international law, addressing issues relating to state responsibility, international agreements, immunity, dispute settlement, piracy, and other critical areas of global governance.

“The federal government is confident that Dr. Elias will bring his vast expertise, professionalism, and commitment to the rule of law to bear in advancing the work of the Commission and promoting the principles of justice, international cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among nations,” the statement said.