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10 things to know about Dapo Akande, Nigerian-born legal expert elected ICJ judge
Nigerian-born British legal scholar Dapo Akande has attracted international attention following his election as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Akande, who is a professor at the University of Oxford, has built an impressive career spanning legal practice, academic research, international law and advisory services to governments and global institutions.
His election in November 2026, after securing 11 votes from the United Nations Security Council, is another significant achievement in his career. He is expected to begin his nine-year tenure on February 6, 2027.
Beyond his new international judicial appointment, Akande has received several awards, held prestigious academic positions and contributed to the development of international law.
Here are 10 important things to know about the Nigerian-born legal expert.
1. He is a Nigerian-born British legal scholar
Dapo Akande is a British-Nigerian academic and lawyer born in June 1973.
He is internationally recognised for his expertise in public international law and has established a distinguished career in legal education, research and practice.
2. He studied at Obafemi Awolowo University and the Nigerian Law school
Akande obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly known as the University of Ife, in 1992.
He qualified as a barrister and solicitor at the Nigerian Law School in 1993.
He later obtained a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1994 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oxford in 2004.
3. He is a Professor at the University of Oxford
Akande has taught Public International Law at the University of Oxford since 2004.
He currently holds the prestigious position of Chichele Professor of Public International Law.
He is also a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and co-director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict (ELAC).
Before joining Oxford, he taught at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, the University of Nottingham and Durham University.
4. He is a member of Essex Court Chambers in London
Apart from his academic responsibilities, Akande is a member of Essex Court Chambers, a legal institution in London.
He has also provided legal advice in cases before British national courts, including the United Kingdom Supreme Court.
In addition, he has advised the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drones.
5. He was elected to the United Nations International Law Commission
In November 2021, Akande was elected to the United Nations International Law Commission for the 2023–2027 term during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
His nomination received joint support from five countries: the United Kingdom, Japan, Kenya, Slovenia and Nigeria.
The nomination made him the first candidate in the commission’s history to be supported by countries from four different United Nations regional groups.
6. He has been elected a Judge of the International Court of Justice
In September 2024, the British Government announced its intention to nominate Akande for election as a judge of the International Court of Justice for the 2027–2035 term.
He was elected in November 2026 after receiving 11 votes from the United Nations Security Council.
His nine-year tenure is scheduled to commence on February 6, 2027, marking another major step in his international legal career.
7. He is a recipient of several international awards
Akande has earned recognition from different academic and international institutions for his contributions to legal scholarship and the development of international law.
In 2025, Durham University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree.
In 2024, the Government of Japan honoured him with the Ambassador’s Commendation for his outstanding contributions to the progressive development of international law and support for efforts to strengthen the rule of law.
He also received a Certificate of Merit from the American Society of International Law in 2019.
8. He won an international award for his legal research
In 2003, Akande received the Premio Regione Toscana Giorgio La Pira Prize, which recognises the best paper written by a young scholar.
The award was presented for his research article published in the Journal of International Criminal Justice.
The paper examined the legal basis and limitations of the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over nationals of countries that are not parties to its founding treaty.
Earlier, in 1995, he received the Junior Award of the International Affairs Sub-Committee of the Gilbert Murray Trust.
9. He made history as the first black Professor to have a portrait at St Peter’s College, Oxford
Akande became the first Black professor to be honoured with a portrait at St Peter’s College, Oxford.
The recognition adds to his achievements as an academic and reflects his place within the institution’s history.
He is also a founding editor of EJIL:Talk!, the academic blog of the European Journal of International Law.
10. He serves in several international legal and academic organisations
Akande has contributed to international legal scholarship through his involvement in several professional organisations and academic journals.
He serves on the boards of the American Journal of International Law, Israel Law Review, Nigerian Yearbook of International Law, Ethiopian Yearbook of International Law and African Journal of International and Comparative Law.
He has also provided legal advisory services to several national governments and international organisations on issues involving international law.
His election to the International Court of Justice is expected to add a new chapter to his career in international legal practice, research and public service.
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10 things to know about Dapo Akande, Nigerian-born legal expert elected ICJ judge
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