Leading diplomats and international law experts have commended Nigeria’s recent successful bid to host the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank as a landmark achievement that reinforces the importance of capacity development on international law and diplomacy as a recipe for sustaining the country’s growing diplomatic influence and leadership in Africa and globally.
The recommendation was made at the high-level opening ceremony kickstarting the one-week 2026 Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Law and Diplomacy course organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, in partnership with the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch).
With focus on leveraging international diplomacy for investment, finance and sustainable development, the ultimate objective of the course is to expose participants to the specialised knowledge and skill-sets required to unlock win-win foreign trade and investment for Nigeria.
The opening ceremony featured compelling remarks by senior diplomats and experts including Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, Former Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Petroleum Resources; the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan; President of the International Law Association Nigeria, Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, SAN; Professor Olufemi Elias, Judge Ad hoc of the International Court of Justice and Member of the International Law Commission; amongst other dignitaries.
While welcoming and congratulating participants for being selected for this high-level course, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan, Director General of NIALS noted that “The quality of people sent to negotiate at the diplomatic level must consistently reflect the best minds in order to maximise Nigeria’s potential to attract win-win international trade and investments.
As lawyers, practitioners, and law students, there is a need to rise to the challenge and equip oneself for a 21st-century legal service delivery. We are confident that your participation in this course will equip you with the skill-sets needed to advocate for and practice international law and diplomacy for the benefit of our country and humanity.”
On his part, the distinguished keynote speaker, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo noted that “In many respects, diplomacy has become one of the most important currencies of national development. Throughout my career as a legal practitioner, diplomat and public servant, I have learned that the foundation of successful diplomacy is trust.
“Countries may sign treaties. Governments may enter agreements. Institutions may establish partnerships. But without trust, such arrangements rarely endure. Investors seek confidence that contracts will be honoured. Development partners seek assurance that commitments will be fulfilled.
“Citizens expect institutions to be transparent, accountable and fair. Trust remains the invisible currency that sustains international cooperation.
“Where international law becomes indispensable. International law provides predictability in an often unpredictable world.”
While highlighting the powerful role of diplomacy in economic development, Ambassador Ella commended the Nigerian Government under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the recent major milestone of the country’s successful bid to host the Africa Energy Bank, a landmark achievement that reinforces the country’s growing diplomatic influence and leadership in Africa’s energy sector.
He noted that Nigeria emerged as the preferred host nation amidst stiff competition from Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa, and Cote d’Ivoire.
The Bank, being established by the African Petroleum Producers Organization, APPO, in partnership with Afreximbank, is scheduled to commence operations in Abuja in September 2026.
Ambassador Ella also commended NIALS and the ILA “for their unwavering commitment to advancing legal scholarship, professional excellence and international understanding.
In a rapidly changing world, initiatives such as this are not merely academic exercises; they are investments in the future leadership of our nation and our continent.” the experienced diplomat noted.
On his part, the President of the ILA, Nigeria, Professor Olawuyi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who also holds the prestigious UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar noted that “Recent geopolitical events—including the US-Iran war, the politicisation and monetisation of energy transit routes, unilateral trade tariffs, increased competition for minerals needed to develop clean technologies, as well as complex environmental problems such as climate change—all further emphasise the urgent need for international law practitioners that could be at the forefront of promoting cooperative and collaborative solutions to the problems facing our world.”
According to him, “A course like this provides a milestone opportunity for everyone here today to be at forefront of strengthening Nigeria and Africa’s voice at the global stage.”
The one-week course will cover contemporary themes in public and private international law, taught by leading experts, including modules on negotiating international trade, finance and investments, artificial intelligence and new technologies, international human rights and humanitarian law, international criminal law, international energy and petroleum transactions, climate change and sustainable development, conflict resolution, international commercial arbitration, AFCTA and international economic integration, as well as ethics and skill-sets for international diplomacy, amongst others.
Established in 1979, NIALS is the apex legal research and training institute in Nigeria, while the International Law Association, ILA, was established in 1873, with the objective and mandate to promote “the study, clarification, and development of international law, both public and private, and the furtherance of international understanding and respect for international law.”
The Nigerian Branch of the ILA regularly hosts innovative lectures, seminars, conferences, and other capacity development programs to advance the study and understanding of international law in Nigeria.
To learn more about the ILA, its activities, and events visit http://www.ila-hq.org
