Meet Dapo Akande, Nigerian-born professor hailed as UK’s ‘finest legal mind’
The United Kingdom has nominated Nigerian-born legal scholar Professor Dapo Akande as its candidate for election to the International Law Commission (ILC) for the 2023–2027 term, with strong backing from the country’s top diplomat.
Dominic Raab, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, said Akande is ideally suited to enhance the UK’s longstanding contribution to the commission’s work.
“The United Kingdom is pleased to nominate Professor Dapo Akande as our candidate for the International Law Commission for the period 2023-2027. The UK has always been a strong supporter of the International Law Commission and is proud of the contribution that British international lawyers have made to its work. I believe that Professor Akande is perfectly positioned to strengthen this contribution yet further,” Raab said.
Raab described Dapo Akande as one of the finest legal scholars in the UK, noting his more than 25 years of experience in the field of international law.
“With over twenty-five years of legal experience, Professor Akande is exceptionally well-qualified to serve as a member of the Commission. Not only is Professor Akande one of the finest legal scholars in the UK, he is also a world-renowned expert in public international law, as both an academic and independent practitioner.
“He originally qualified as a lawyer in Nigeria and is currently Professor of Public International Law at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. He is on the advisory or editorial boards of international law periodicals in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. He has written and researched more than sixty publications across a range of international legal topics.
“Professor Akande has acted as a consultant to international organisations, including the United Nations (UN), the African Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the International Criminal Court, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. As Counsel or Adviser, Professor Akande has worked on international litigation before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the World Trade Organisation, the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as on cases involving public international law in domestic courts.
“For all these reasons, I strongly endorse the candidature of Professor Akande at the elections for the International Law Commission that will be held during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in November 2021. I hope that UN members have the opportunity to meet and engage with him, virtually or in-person, over the coming months.”
Who is Dapo Akande?
Dapo Akande is a distinguished legal expert born and raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Akande completed his LLB at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and has since built a stellar career in public international law, accumulating over 25 years of experience.
Akande began his legal journey as a research assistant to Bola Ajibola (KBE SAN), a former Attorney-General of Nigeria. His expertise spans various prestigious international forums, including the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Throughout his career, Akande has served as a consultant to numerous esteemed international organizations, such as the ICC, the United Nations, the African Union (AU), NATO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Commonwealth Secretariat. His work reflects a steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of international law and fortifying the Nigerian legal system.
In addition to representing Nigeria before the ICJ and ITLOS, Professor Akande has played a crucial role in enhancing justice and accountability in Nigeria. He has provided training for the Federal Director of Public Prosecution and the Nigerian Army, focusing on justice and capacity building to address complex crimes under Nigerian criminal law.
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