Nigeria’s successful bid to host the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank has been hailed as a landmark diplomatic victory, underscoring the critical role of strategic investment in international law and governance for national development.
This sentiment was the centerpiece of discussions at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Certificate of Advanced Studies in International Law and Diplomacy, held in Abuja.
The intensive one-week course, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in partnership with the International Law Association (ILA) Nigerian Branch, is designed to equip legal professionals and policymakers with the specialised skills needed to negotiate favourable trade and investment deals.
Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, emphasised that diplomacy has evolved into a vital asset for economic progress.
According to Ella, “In many respects, diplomacy has become one of the most important currencies of national development. The foundation of successful diplomacy is trust. Without trust, treaties, and partnerships rarely endure."
The Ambassador specifically praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for securing the hosting rights for the Africa Energy Bank, navigating stiff competition from Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Established by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) in partnership with Afreximbank, the bank is slated to begin operations in Abuja by September 2026.
The Director General of NIALS, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan, reinforced the need for excellence at the negotiation table, insisting that Nigeria must deploy its best minds to maximise international opportunities.
“The quality of people sent to negotiate at the diplomatic level must consistently reflect the best minds to maximise Nigeria’s potential to attract win-win international trade and investments,” Prof. Abikan remarked.
Meanwhile, Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, President of the ILA Nigeria and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including the US-Iran conflict, the politicisation of energy routes, and climate change, demand skilled international lawyers capable of fostering cooperative solutions.
The event, themed Leveraging International Diplomacy for Investment, Finance and Sustainable Development, also featured notable dignitaries such as Prof. Olufemi Elias, Judge Ad Hoc of the International Court of Justice and Member of the International Law Commission
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