Leading diplomats and international law experts have emphasised the urgent need for sustained capacity development and training on international law and diplomacy in order to fully accentuate Nigeria’s foreign policy interest on the global stage.
The recommendation was made in Lagos at the high-level opening ceremony of a one-week Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Law and Diplomacy course organized by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in partnership with the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch) with the objective of exposing participants to specialised knowledge and skill sets required for the practice of international law and diplomacy.
The opening ceremony featured compelling remarks by leading diplomats and experts including Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi (SAN), President of the International Law Association Nigeria; Prof. Animi Sylvanus-Pepple, the acting Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS); Professor Olufemi Elias, Judge-adhoc of the International Court of Justice, Hague amongst other dignitaries.
In his welcome address, Prof. Sylvanus-Pepple, represented by the Secretary of the institute, noted that the interdisciplinary course is designed to help participants think critically about diplomatic and international legal issues in real-life contexts, while applying theory to practice and addressing some of the key questions facing the world today, and looking at contemporary practice and major events.
In his goodwill message, Professor Olufemi Elias, the President of the Administrative Tribunal of the OPEC Fund, emphasized the crucial role of international law in promoting global peace and sustainable development, commending ILA for putting together the timely and important training program which he said will go a long way in the development of the next cadre of experts in international law and diplomacy.
Professor Olawuyi (SAN), an Independent Expert on the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Switzerland, noted the important roles of international law in solving today’s global challenges, adding that “ International law has become ever so important in light of the complex challenges facing our current world. Throughout the week, participants were taught and inspired by experts skilled in the art and craft of international law and diplomacy on the roles we can play in being the heart of fostering solutions; they would also have a chance to network, strategise and develop relationships that will enable them to launch and advance their careers in this important field.”
While emphasising the importance of highly skilled international law negotiators and diplomats if Nigeria is to attract the best deals at the international stage, Professor Olawuyi called for sustained support for such training programs that will unlock a steady track of qualified experts that will advance Nigeria and Africa’s intrerests globally.
He commended NIALS for providing such an innovative and inspiring platform for advanced studies in international law and diplomacy and called on all participants to “fully immerse themselves in the opportunities provided by the course.
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