Nigeria Advances Diplomatic Profile with UN Human Rights Council Bid and ILC Nomination
Nigeria has declared its candidature for the UN Human Rights Council while the UK nominates Nigerian-born Professor Dapo Akande to the International Law Commission, marking significant diplomatic developments for Africa's most populous nation.
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Nigeria is making concurrent pushes to strengthen its presence in international legal and human rights institutions, with Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar announcing the country's candidature for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council while the United Kingdom nominates a Nigerian-born legal scholar for a prestigious UN commission.
Minister Tuggar declared Nigeria's bid for the UN Human Rights Council in a video statement posted on his verified social media account, according to Channels Television. The announcement positions Nigeria to compete for one of the rotating seats on the 47-member body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. Elections for the Human Rights Council are conducted by the UN General Assembly, with seats distributed across regional groups to ensure geographical representation.
UK Backs Nigerian Scholar for International Law Commission
In a parallel development highlighting Nigeria's growing influence in international legal circles, the United Kingdom has nominated Professor Dapo Akande as its candidate for election to the International Law Commission for the 2023-2027 term. The nomination, which received backing from Britain's top diplomat, represents recognition of what UK officials have described as one of the country's "finest legal minds," according to Vanguard News.
The International Law Commission, established by the UN General Assembly in 1947, comprises 34 members elected for five-year terms. The body is responsible for codifying and progressively developing international law, making it one of the most influential legal institutions in the global system. Professor Akande's nomination by the UK, rather than Nigeria, reflects his academic career and institutional affiliations in Britain, while simultaneously showcasing the diaspora's contribution to international legal scholarship.
Strategic Timing and Regional Context
Nigeria's Human Rights Council candidature comes as African nations continue to assert greater influence within UN institutions. The Human Rights Council, established in 2006 to replace the UN Commission on Human Rights, has 13 seats allocated to African states out of its total membership. Countries serve three-year terms and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms, creating regular rotation opportunities.
The timing of both announcements suggests a coordinated diplomatic strategy to elevate Nigeria's profile in international legal and human rights frameworks. Nigeria's previous membership of the Human Rights Council ended in 2023, making the country eligible to seek re-election after the mandatory one-year gap. The country's candidature will be evaluated against its domestic human rights record, including ongoing security challenges in the northeast and concerns raised by international observers about press freedom and civil liberties.
Implications for African Representation
The dual developments underscore the complex dynamics of African representation in global institutions. While Professor Akande's nomination by the UK highlights the contributions of the African diaspora to international law, it also raises questions about brain drain and the concentration of legal expertise in Western institutions. His potential election to the ILC would nevertheless bring African perspectives to the commission's work on issues ranging from crimes against humanity to environmental law.
For Nigeria's Human Rights Council bid, success will depend on securing majority support from the 193 UN member states during the General Assembly vote, typically held in October. African Union endorsement and support from regional blocs will prove crucial. The country's campaign will likely emphasize its contributions to peacekeeping operations, its role in regional security through ECOWAS, and domestic human rights initiatives, while addressing criticism from international human rights organizations.
These diplomatic initiatives reflect Nigeria's broader foreign policy objectives under the current administration, which has sought to restore the country's prominence in multilateral forums after years of perceived diminished influence. Success in either or both candidatures would strengthen Nigeria's voice in shaping international human rights standards and legal norms at a time when global governance institutions face increasing calls for reform and greater representation from the Global South.