President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has nominated Olufemi Elias for a seat at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with elections scheduled for November 12 in New York during a joint session of the UN Security Council and General Assembly.
The election will fill the vacancy left by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed, who will step down on September 30. The ICJ, which comprises 15 judges serving nine-year terms, elects one-third of its members every three years to maintain continuity.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, announced Elias’s candidacy in a video statement, praising his legal expertise, decades of service, and commitment to justice, equity, and the rule of law.
Tuggar described Elias as “one of the most respected figures in international law” and urged the global community to support his election, noting his unique blend of judicial experience, academic achievements, and service in international civil institutions.
Elias currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the ICJ. His father, Taslim Elias, was also a distinguished ICJ judge (1976–1991) and served as vice-president (1979–1982) and president (1982–1985) of the court.
