Oxford Professor Dapo Akande Elected ICJ Judge in Landmark UN Vote

​Renowned legal scholar and Oxford professor Dapo Akande has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), securing a crucial nine-year term at the United Nations’ principal judicial organ.

​The election marks a triumphant professional milestone for Professor Akande, who originally began his legal journey in Nigeria, and serves as a major diplomatic victory for the United Kingdom, restoring British representation on the 15-member bench for the first time since 2017.

​A Global Career Rooted in Nigeria and Oxford

​Akande’s ascent to the world court highlights an illustrious career spanning decades of academic excellence and high-level international litigation. Having earned his initial professional qualification as a lawyer in Nigeria, he went on to build a towering reputation in public international law.

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​He currently serves as a professor of public international law at the University of Oxford and is a fellow of All Souls College. Beyond academia, his extensive credentials include:

• ​UN International Law Commission (ILC): An elected member contributing to the progressive development and codification of international law.

• ​Global Litigator: Extensive experience acting as counsel, adviser, and expert in landmark cases before international tribunals, including the ICJ.

• ​Diplomatic Backing: His candidacy received robust backing from the UK government, marking a symbolic return of British influence to the Hague-based court.

​Following the successful vote, Akande expressed profound gratitude to member states, pledging to discharge his judicial duties with absolute independence, impartiality, and a faithful application of international law. He is set to officially commence his tenure on the bench.