The United Kingdom (UK) National Group has said it will nominate Prof. Dapo Akande in 2026, for election as a judge to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague.

The British-Nigerian scholar and lawyer, Akande boasts an impressive array of accolades and accomplishments within the realm of public international law.
His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joanna Roper, in a statement on the UK Government website at the weeken, said: “The UK is pleased to announce that Prof. Dapo Akande will be nominated for election as a judge to the International Court of Justice in 2026 by the UK National Group.

“Akande is an outstanding international lawyer, who will bring deep legal expertise and experience to the ICJ. Akande reflects the UK’s firm commitment to international justice, human rights and the rule of law.”

Akande’s achievements have been recognised and celebrated through various honours. Notably, he became the first Black professor to be immortalised with a portrait at St Peter’s College, Oxford.

Beyond his academic prowess, Akande is a respected thought leader in international law, exemplified by his role as founding editor of EJIL:Talk!, the erudite blog of the European Journal of International Law.

This platform has provided a vital forum for scholarly discourse and debate on pressing issues in international law. In November 2021, Akande’s expertise and influence were formally acknowledged on the global stage.

He was elected to the United Nations International Law Commission for the term 2023-2027 during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This distinction was made all the more remarkable by his unprecedented nomination by five countries – the UK, Japan, Kenya, Slovenia, and Nigeria – representing four United Nations regional groups.