To accentuate Nigeria’s foreign policy interest on the global stage, diplomats and international law experts have emphasised the need for sustained training on international law and diplomacy.
They made the recommendations in Lagos at the opening ceremony of the one-week Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Law and Diplomacy course organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in partnership with the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch).
The objective of the course was to expose participants to the specialised knowledge and skill sets required for the practice of international law and diplomacy.
The ceremony featured compelling remarks by leading diplomats and experts including the President of the International Law Association Nigeria, Professor Damilola Olawuyi (SAN); the acting Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Animi Sylvanus-Pepple; Judge-ad-hoc of the International Court of Justice, Hague, Professor Olufemi Elias, amongst other dignitaries.
The acting Director General of NIALS, who was represented by the Secretary of the Institute, noted that the interdisciplinary course is designed to help participants think critically about diplomatic and international legal issues in real-life contexts.
This, he said, can be done while applying theory to practice, addressing some of the key questions facing the world today, and looking at contemporary practice and major events.
On his part, Prof Elias, who is also President of the Administrative Tribunal of the OPEC Fund, emphasised the crucial role of international law in promoting global peace and sustainable development.
President of the ILA, Nigeria, Prof Olawuyi (SAN) noted that international law plays a major role in solving today’s global challenges.
He said: “International law has become ever so important in the light of the complex challenges facing the world currently.”
He explained that Nigeria will attract the best deals at the international stage, if highly skilled international law negotiators and diplomats are used, adding that such training programmes will unlock a steady track of qualified experts that will advance Nigeria and Africa’s interests globally.
He commended NIALS for providing such an innovative and inspiring platform for advanced studies in international law and diplomacy and called on all participants to “fully immerse themselves in the opportunities provided by the course.”
