The Nigeria-born Professor Akande will see his bid co-nominated by the Government of Nigeria, making him the first ever candidate to be nominated by both the United Kingdom and Nigeria
Professor Dapo Akande, a Professor of Public International Law at the University of Oxford, has been nominated as the UK’s candidate for the International Law Commission (ILC) for the period 2023 to 2027. The warm endorsement of Professor Akande’s candidacy by both the United Kingdom and Nigeria demonstrates the high value they place on the Professor’s experience, expertise and commitment to upholding the highest standards in international law. It also demonstrates our shared confidence that he will bring those high standards to the ILC.
Professor Akande is a world-renowned expert in Public International Law, as both an academic and independent practitioner who has more than 25 years of legal experience.
Raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, he qualified as a lawyer from the Nigerian Law School, and received his LLB at Obafemi Awolowo University. He is currently Professor of Public International Law at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Professor Akande began his legal career as a Research Assistant to Judge Bola Ajibola, KBE SAN, and he is an Editorial Board Member for the Nigerian Yearbook of International Law.
As Counsel or Adviser, Professor Akande has worked on international litigation before the:
He has also worked on cases involving Public International Law in domestic courts.
Professor Akande has also served as a consultant to international organisations, including:
During his career, Professor Akande has demonstrated a strong and longstanding commitment to promoting the highest standards in international law and also to strengthening the Nigerian legal system. He has represented Nigeria before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and at Arbitral Tribunals. He also provided training to the Federal Director of Public Prosecution and the Nigerian Army on strengthening justice and accountability in Nigeria and capacity building for prosecutors to address the most serious and complex crimes under Nigerian criminal law.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, noted Professor Akande’s professional accomplishments and breadth of experience in a statement endorsing him:
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing CB, reiterated the UK’s support for Professor Akande’s bid for the ILC position:
Professor Akande describes his vision for seeking the ILC position by saying:
Note to Editors