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Nigeria Nominates Dr. Olufemi Elias For ICJ Judge Position
Nigeria has formally presented Dr. Olufemi Elias as its candidate for a seat on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027-2036 term.
The announcement was made at an event held at the Nigeria House in New York, where members of the UN diplomatic corps gathered to hear Nigeria’s case for the accomplished international lawyer.
The ICJ, often referred to as the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established in 1945, it resolves disputes between states in accordance with international law.
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Judges are elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms, with the next election scheduled for 2026.
Ambassador Samson Itegboje, Charge d’Affaires of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, made a strong case for Dr. Elias’s candidacy, emphasizing his extensive expertise and Nigeria’s commitment to the ICJ.
“Since 1960, Nigeria has been making significant contributions, both in terms of participation in cases before the ICJ and in promoting the Court’s role in global dispute resolution,” Itegboje said.
“Through these efforts, we can state without being immodest that Nigeria has contributed significantly to the development of international law.”
Itegboje highlighted Nigeria’s adherence to ICJ rulings, citing the country’s compliance with the Court’s judgment in the Bakassi Peninsula dispute with Cameroon as an example of its respect for international law.
“It is important to recall that our legal experts and diplomats have participated in legal submissions, particularly in cases dealing with territorial disputes, human rights, and maritime law,” he added.
The ambassador described Dr. Elias as an outstanding candidate with deep-rooted expertise in international law.
“Dr. Elias is not just a renowned international lawyer with vast experience in the practice of international law and academics but was born into a jurist family and has learned the ropes of dispensing good judgment from his childhood,” he said.
Dr. Elias’s candidacy builds on a legacy of Nigerian representation at the ICJ. His father, the late Justice Taslim Olawale Elias, served on the ICJ from 1976 to 1991, including terms as Vice President and President.
The younger Elias has carved out his own impressive career, serving in numerous global legal roles.
He is the President of the Administrative Tribunal of the OPEC Fund for International Development, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, and a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.
He has also held positions with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the World Bank Administrative Tribunal.
Elias is a member of the prestigious Institute de Droit International and an honorary life member of the American Society of International Law.
In his address to the diplomatic gathering, Dr. Elias spoke of his dedication to upholding the principles of international law.
“I have devoted my career to public international law, and I believe my qualifications and experience position me well to contribute to the Court’s mission of peaceful dispute resolution,” Elias said.
The ICJ election in 2026 will determine whether Dr. Elias joins the ranks of distinguished Nigerians who have served on the World Court, including Charles Onyeama (1966-1976) and Bola Ajibola (1991-1994).
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
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