Nigeria Reacts to ICJ Judgement

Following the judgment of the International Court of Justice at The Hague today, in the case concerning The Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria, the Agent for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Nigeria's Minister of State (Justice) Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Elayo issued the following statement:

"The Federal Government of Nigeria will now give the judgment careful study, both in detail and as a whole. Necessary consultations will be undertaken.

There will not be any requirement for Nigerian nationals to move from where they are living at present.

The judgment will have no effect on Nigeria's oil and gas reserves.

It is apparent that there have been both gains and losses for each side. That is natural in a case as large and complex as this.

It is not possible or appropriate to talk in terms of 'winners' or 'losers'. The judgment must be considered as a whole.

The judgment will resolve many outstanding matters between the two States and provide a way forward for both, in areas which have caused difficulties in the past.

The Federal Government of Nigeria will issue no further statement until the process of consultation is complete, and it is not in a position to comment on any specific aspect of the judgment".

Nigeria Information Service Centre
October 15, 2002