By Sam Adah
The federal government has urged the United Nations General Assembly to increase funding for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in response to its growing caseload and strengthen compliance with its judgments and orders to uphold the international rule of law.
The country also called on member states to support measures aimed at improving the Court’s operations, including the introduction of an electronic case management system, and contribute to a trust fund that enables developing countries to access international justice regardless of their financial capacity.
Nigeria made the recommendations in a statement delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, during the plenary debate on the ICJ report at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The country urged states that had yet to accept the Court’s compulsory jurisdiction to consider doing so, while advocating stronger collaboration between the ICJ and national judiciaries, particularly in Africa, to promote knowledge of international law and strengthen judicial capacity.
It emphasised that compliance with the Court’s judgments and orders was critical to preserving its authority, upholding the rule of law and sustaining confidence in the international legal system.
Acknowledging the Court’s workload and contributions, Nigeria noted that its activities during the period under review included 16 orders, one judgment, two advisory opinions and 24 cases on its General List.
It commended the ICJ for its role in the peaceful settlement of international disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, describing it as a vital institution for promoting international peace, justice and respect for the rule of law.
Nigeria also welcomed the amendment to Article 78 of the Rules of Court, which took effect on February 2, 2026, providing for the public disclosure of reports on compliance with provisional measures.
It described the amendment as an important step towards improving transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Court’s orders.
Reflecting on its relationship with the ICJ, Nigeria recalled the October 10, 2002 judgment in the Land and Maritime Boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon, which was subsequently implemented peacefully through the 2006 Greentree Agreement.
The country said the experience demonstrated how international adjudication, supported by political will and constructive engagement, could provide lasting solutions to complex territorial disputes.
Nigeria also reaffirmed its acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court under Article 36, paragraph 2, of its Statute, while highlighting the contributions of Nigerian jurists to international jurisprudence, particularly the late Judge Taslim Olawale Elias, who served as President of the ICJ.
The country further welcomed the Court’s continued engagement with the Nigerian Judiciary, including its reception of a delegation of Supreme Court Justices on August 13, 2025, and another delegation from the Nigerian Judiciary on July 16, 2026.
According to Nigeria, such exchanges are essential to strengthening judicial capacity, deepening understanding of international law and promoting consistency between international legal principles and domestic judicial practices.
On access to international justice, Nigeria called on member states to contribute to the Secretary-General’s Trust Fund to Assist States in the Settlement of Disputes through the ICJ.
It maintained that adequate funding would enable developing countries to pursue or defend legal claims before the Court without being constrained by financial limitations.
Nigeria also encouraged greater support for the ICJ Judicial Fellowship Programme, particularly to provide young lawyers from developing countries with practical experience at the Court and opportunities to contribute to the development of international law.
The country reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the peaceful settlement of international disputes, stressing that respect for and compliance with the ICJ’s judgments and orders remained fundamental to strengthening confidence in the international legal order.
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