By Onilede Titi Faith
The Federal Government has formally presented Judge Dr. Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking international support to restore West Africa’s representation on the world’s highest judicial body.
At a presentation ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, led the endorsement, noting that West Africa has had no representation at the ICJ since 2011, while Nigeria last occupied a seat over three decades ago.
“This long absence underscores the importance of equitable geographical representation and the need for West Africa’s voice to be heard again at the ICJ,” Tuggar said.
He described Elias as a distinguished jurist of integrity and competence, embodying the ICJ’s standards of high moral character and expertise in international law.
In his remarks, Judge Elias expressed pride in the nomination, pledging continued dedication to the advancement of international law.
“The ICJ remains central to global peace and justice,” he said, outlining his three pillars of candidacy – academic expertise, institutional knowledge of the UN, and extensive judicial experience.
Elias, currently serving as a Judge ad hoc on the ICJ, recalled his selection by Equatorial Guinea in a recent case as evidence of international trust in his capability.
The election for the ICJ seat is scheduled for November 12, 2025, to fill the vacancy left by former ICJ President, Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf of Somalia.
