Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja.
Nigeria’s successful bid to host the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank has been described by diplomats and legal experts as a major diplomatic breakthrough that underscores the need for sustained investment in international law and diplomacy to strengthen the country’s leadership role on the continent and beyond.
The experts made the submission at the opening of the 2026 Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Law and Diplomacy, a one-week programme organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in collaboration with the Nigerian Branch of the International Law Association (ILA).
The course, which focuses on leveraging international diplomacy to attract investment, finance and sustainable development, is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to negotiate favourable international trade and investment opportunities for Nigeria.
The opening ceremony attracted prominent diplomats, legal scholars and public officials, including former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella; Director-General of NIALS, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan; President of the International Law Association (Nigeria), Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi (SAN); and Judge ad hoc of the International Court of Justice and member of the International Law Commission, Prof. Olufemi Elias.
Addressing participants, Prof. Abikan congratulated them on their selection for the advanced programme and stressed the importance of developing highly skilled professionals capable of representing Nigeria effectively in international negotiations.
He said, “The quality of people sent to negotiate at the diplomatic level must consistently reflect the best minds in order to maximize 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 skillsets needed to advocate for and practice international law and diplomacy for the benefit of our country and humanity.”
In his keynote address, Ambassador Ella described diplomacy as a critical driver of national development, noting that trust remains the foundation of successful international engagement.
He said, “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. This is where international law becomes indispensable. International law provides predictability in an often unpredictable world.”
Ella also praised the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for securing the hosting rights for the Africa Energy Bank, describing the achievement as evidence of Nigeria’s growing diplomatic influence across Africa’s energy sector.
According to him, Nigeria emerged ahead of Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire to win the hosting rights for the financial institution, which is being established by the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) in partnership with Afreximbank. The bank is expected to commence operations in Abuja in September 2026.
The former diplomat further commended NIALS and the International Law Association “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.”
Speaking earlier, the President of the International Law Association (Nigeria), Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), said emerging global political and economic developments have heightened the need for professionals with expertise in international law.
He said, “Recent geopolitical events—including the US-Iran war, the politization and monetization 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.”
He added, “A course like this provides a milestone opportunity for everyone here today to be at forefront of strenghtening Nigeria and Africa’s voice at the global stage.”
The week-long training will feature sessions on public and private international law, international trade, finance and investment negotiations, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, human rights and humanitarian law, international criminal law, energy and petroleum transactions, climate change, sustainable development, conflict resolution, commercial arbitration, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), international economic integration, as well as ethics and practical skills for diplomacy.
Founded in 1979, NIALS serves as Nigeria’s foremost legal research and training institution, while the International Law Association, established in 1873, promotes the development and understanding of both public and private international law. The Nigerian branch regularly organises lectures, seminars and capacity-building programmes aimed at advancing international legal scholarship in the country.
