FG adopts Adimula’s book on IHL Treaties
By Idris Alooma
In a significant milestone for the University of Ilorin, the Federal Government has officially adopted the book International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Law of Armed Conflict), authored by Dr. Ruth Abiola Adimula, Associate Professor at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, as a key intellectual resource for the implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) treaties in Nigeria.
This adoption was formalised following a high-level International Humanitarian Law Dialogue convened by the National Committee for the Implementation of IHL Treaties in Nigeria.
The Dialogue, chaired by Mrs. B. E. Jedy-Agba, Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, was recently held in Abuja.
After the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, formally presented the book to the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON.
The event was attended by many dignitaries, including representatives from the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court (Geneva), the International Committee of the Red Cross Headquarters, members of the Armed Forces, the National Assembly members, and the Presidency.
Originally presented last year by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, the book offers a comprehensive and authoritative examination of international humanitarian law. It addresses foundational principles of traditional international law, military rules of engagement, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, as well as emerging dimensions of contemporary warfare, including cyber warfare, air warfare, naval warfare, and the use of drones and unmanned systems; Russia-Ukraine war, Hamas-Israeli War, among others.
The work represents the culmination of over three decades of legal practice and academic scholarship in peace and conflict studies by Dr. Adimula.
The Federal Government’s adoption of this work, through the Federal Ministry of Justice, marks a pivotal advancement in Nigeria’s efforts to effectively implement its obligations under international humanitarian law. It further reinforces the country’s commitment to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and to compliance with its obligations under the Rome Statute. The book is expected to serve as an indispensable resource for a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government institutions, academic communities, military and security agencies, and practitioners, in fostering adherence to IHL principles and enhancing the protection of civilians in conflict settings. It is also highly recommended for use in law faculties, military institutions, and among peace scholars and professionals.
Dr. Adimula, who also served as a resource person at the Dialogue, made a presentation on the theme “Protection of Civilians and Civilian Infrastructure.”
