The United Kingdom has nominated Nigerian born legal scholar Dapo Akande as its candidate for election to the International Law Commission for the 2023 to 2027 term.
The nomination received strong backing from the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Dominic Raab, who described Akande as ideally suited to strengthen the country longstanding contribution to the commission work.
Raab praised Akande as one of the finest legal scholars in the UK, highlighting his more than 25 years of experience in public international law as both an academic and independent practitioner. He noted that Akande originally qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria and currently serves as Professor of Public International Law at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.
Over the course of his career, Akande has consulted for major international bodies including the United Nations, the African Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the International Criminal Court, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Born and raised in Ibadan Oyo State, Akande earned his law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University. He began his legal career as a research assistant to Bola Ajibola, former Attorney General of Nigeria.
Akande has appeared before leading global courts including the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the World Trade Organization, and the European Court of Human Rights.
His nomination will be considered during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
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