To ensure election of Nigeria's Dr. Taoheed Olufemi Elias, as a judge to the bench of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Nigeria on Thursday sought for the support of the international community.
Officially presenting the candidate to the Diplomatic Community in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, noted that Dr. Elias is eminently qualified to be voted for election to the ICJ Bench.
The election coming up on the 12th of November, 2025, is to fill the vacancy that will follow the retirement of a member of the ICJ.
While noting that Dr. Elias candidacy is an international one and not regional, Amb Tuggar pointed out that no ECOWAS nation has produced any member to the the ICJ bench since 2011.
To this end, he said Dr. Elias election will settle the present imbalance in the composition of the ICJ.
He said "This long absence is not just a matter of pride, but more, it underscores the importance of equitable geographical representation and the need for voices from West Africa to again be heard within the world's highest judicial system
"It is in this spirit that Nigeria proudly presents Doctor Elias, eminent jurist whose personal merit and professional rhetoric fully justify this candidacy, Elias embodies the article two of the statute, a person of high moral character, possessing the qualifications for the highest judicial offices and recognize competence in international law.
"A Nigerian National and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, but his reputation extends. He is a distinguished scholar, a seasoned international civil servant and a respected judge.
"His career demonstrates a rare and balanced combination of academic excellence, multilateral service and judicial experience. As a widely published scholar, Doctor Elias has taught in leading universities and contributed to many of the most relevant debates in contemporary international logo.
"But your excellencies, he's not merely an academia who comments on international law, he is a practitioner. His practical experience spans more than two decades of work within the United Nations system." he stated
With two other candidates for the position from Sierra Leone and Kenya, Amb Tuggar, said that he didn't believe that other candidates will bring on board the experience of a thorough and real grasp of the United Nations legal architecture and judicial experience like those of Dr. Elias.
The Minister said that Doctor Elias has served as a judge and president of several international administrative tribunals, and presided in fairness, clarity and respect for due process.
"He presently serves as a judge of the International Court of Justice when he participates in the court's deliberations and contributes to independence and restraint.
"This blend of scholarly reflection, institutional experience and judicial temperament is unique and is precisely what the court requires at this moment in history when international disputes are increasingly complex and the demand for clarity is greater than ever." Amb Tuggar added
The Minister continued "This candidacy is not about Nigeria, ensuring that Africa, and West Africa, in particular, retains its rightful presence in shaping the global rule of law, electing Doctor Elias would restore that,,, and reaffirm the principle that all regions must share in the custodianship of international justice.
"It is also about upholding multilateralism in an era when global challenges from climate change to maritime security.
"Nigeria, therefore, respectfully seeks your government's high support for election in November 2025 both in the United Nations General Assembly and in the Security Council." Amb Tuggar stated.
Speaking at the occasion, the candidate, Dr. Elias maintained that he's most qualified for the position ahead of the other two candidates.
He said "The most important element of my candidacy is the uniqueness of the profile that I provide. The first element of my candidacy is academic background and intellectual expertise in international law with the decisions in a transparent manner, everybody will watch live proceeding from the International Court of Justice so visible, and if you're going to be that transparent, you need to have that expertise in that regard.
"Now any lawyer would know that in order to rise to the top, particularly in a judicial capacity, you have to have experience, practical experience." he stated
According to him, he has lots of experience in the administrative tribunals of international organizations.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Umar Dunoma Ahmed, noted that the diplomats presence at the event is a testament of the strength of the bilateral and multilateral relationship between Nigeria and the International community, and the enduring spirit of diplomatic operation that binds them together.
Stressing that Nigeria does not take their presence for granted, he said Nigeria is looking forward to deepening collaboration in the spirit of reciprocal support and enduring partnership.