The Federal Government has congratulated Taoheed Olufemi Elias on his election as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission during the Commission’s 77th Session held in Geneva on May 5, 2026.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said Dr. Elias emerged victorious in a competitive process involving candidates from Botswana and Ghana to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Kenya’s representative, Phoebe Okowa.
The ministry described the election as recognition of Nigeria’s contributions to the advancement of international law and multilateral diplomacy.
According to the statement, Dr. Elias brings decades of experience in international legal affairs, having previously served as Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals with the rank of United Nations Assistant Secretary-General.
He also held key positions at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the World Bank Administrative Tribunal, and the United Nations Compensation Commission.
The International Law Commission, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947, is responsible for the development and codification of international law on issues including state responsibility, dispute settlement, immunity, and piracy.
The Federal Government expressed confidence that Dr. Elias would contribute significantly to the Commission’s work and promote justice, international cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among nations.
The statement was signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.