Phoebe Okowa Biography: Books, Education, Awards, Husband, Children, Career, Wikipedia, Age & Net Worth

Professor Phoebe Nyawade Okowa is one of Africa’s leading international law scholars — a Kenyan-born legal mind who has built a distinguished academic and advisory career in public international law, environmental accountability, and state responsibility.

Over the last two decades she has combined rigorous scholarship with practical advisory work for governments and international organizations, and in 2025 she reached a new milestone when she was elected a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Profile

• Full Name: Phoebe Nyawade Okowa
• Born: 1965 (exact date not publicly disclosed)
• Age: 59 (as of 2024–2025)
• Birthplace: Kericho, Kenya
• Nationality: Kenyan
• Occupation: Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Professor of Public International Law

Early life and education

Phoebe Okowa was born in Kericho, Kenya. She studied law at the University of Nairobi where she graduated LLB with First Class Honours — a notable achievement that marked the start of a standout legal career. She then won a Foreign and Commonwealth Office scholarship to continue her legal studies at the University of Oxford (Wadham College), completing the BCL and later a D.Phil. under the supervision of Professor Sir Ian Brownlie. Her doctoral research laid the foundation for her influential work on transboundary environmental harm and state responsibility.

Academic career and expertise

Okowa’s academic career includes teaching posts at the University of Bristol and a long-standing appointment at Queen Mary University of London, where she serves as Professor of Public International Law and Director of Graduate Studies. She has held numerous visiting positions internationally, including at New York University, the Graduate Institute in Geneva, and universities across Europe. Her research spans state responsibility, environmental protection, the law of the sea, accountability for international crimes, and how domestic courts apply international law.

Her book State Responsibility for Transboundary Air Pollution (Oxford University Press) is widely cited as a seminal treatment of how international law deals with environmental harm that crosses borders. She has also co-edited works on environmental law and justice and serves as joint editor of the Oxford Monographs in Public International Law and sits on editorial boards for multiple journals.

Public service, advisory roles, and arbitration

Beyond academia, Okowa has provided legal advice to states and international organisations and has acted as counsel and consultant in proceedings before domestic and international tribunals. In 2016 she was appointed a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. She has also been active in United Nations legal education, teaching the UN regional course in international law for Africa and contributing to policy work at international fora.

International Law Commission and historic milestones

In 2021 Okowa was elected to the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC) — the UN body tasked with helping to develop and codify international law. Her election was historically significant: she became the first African woman to serve as a member of the ILC. Her tenure on the Commission further amplified her role as a voice for progressive development of international law, especially on issues concerning environment, state responsibility, and accountability mechanisms.

Election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

In November 2025, Professor Phoebe Okowa was elected a judge of the International Court of Justice after votes in both the UN Security Council and the General Assembly — a major professional and symbolic achievement for Kenya and for African jurists more broadly. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and its bench includes judges elected by concurrent votes from both UN organs. Okowa’s elevation to the ICJ places her among a small number of Africans who have served on the Court and marks a peak in a career that has bridged scholarship and practice.

Major publications and intellectual contributions

Phoebe Okowa has contributed a significant body of scholarly work that is repeatedly cited in academic literature and by practitioners. Highlights include:

• State Responsibility for Transboundary Air Pollution — a monograph examining state responsibility for cross-border environmental harm.
• Chapters and edited collections on environmental law, protection of natural resources in conflict zones, and the relationship between state responsibility and accountability for international crimes.

Her work combines doctrinal analysis with practical engagement, aiming to make international law an effective instrument for accountability and justice — particularly in environmental contexts and where vulnerable populations are affected by transboundary harm.

Awards, honours and recognition

Okowa’s scholarship and service have been recognized through multiple honours, including an honorary doctorate in law from Stockholm University (2024), visiting fellowships, and appointments to international advisory boards. She was also appointed to positions such as Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and was co-nominated for several international appointments reflecting her standing in the field.

Teaching, mentorship and influence

As a professor and mentor, Okowa has shaped the careers of many law students and junior scholars. Her influence extends beyond classrooms: she has lectured at UN courses for diplomats, supervised doctoral research, and frequently appears at major international law conferences and lecture series. Her combination of academic rigor, practical tribunal experience, and policy engagement provides a model for aspiring international lawyers — particularly from Africa and other underrepresented regions.

Why Phoebe Okowa matters: impact and legacy

Phoebe Okowa’s career matters for several reasons:

1. Bridging theory and practice: She exemplifies how deep doctrinal scholarship can inform real-world dispute resolution and policy.
2. Amplifying African perspectives: As the first African woman elected to the ILC and one of the few African judges at the ICJ, her role helps correct historical imbalances in global legal institutions.
3. Environmental accountability: Her scholarship on transboundary harm and state responsibility has contributed to the global conversation on environmental rights and international remedies.

Her election to the ICJ (2025) — following an accomplished academic and advisory career — is likely to have ripple effects: it creates representation, enriches judicial deliberation with diverse experiences, and inspires a generation of African legal scholars and practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is Phoebe Okowa?

A1: Phoebe Okowa is a Kenyan-born professor of public international law, a former member of the UN International Law Commission, a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and (as of 2025) a judge of the International Court of Justice.

Q2: Where did Phoebe Okowa study?

A2: She obtained her LLB from the University of Nairobi (First Class Honours), and later earned a BCL and D.Phil. from the University of Oxford (Wadham College).

Q3: What are her main research interests?

A3: Her research focuses on state responsibility, environmental law (including transboundary pollution), accountability for international crimes, and how domestic courts apply international law.

Q4: Has she written any books?

A4: Yes. Her monograph State Responsibility for Transboundary Air Pollution (Oxford University Press) is widely cited. She has also co-edited and contributed to books and journal articles on international and environmental law.

Q5: What is her role at the ICJ?

A5: As an elected judge of the International Court of Justice (elected 2025), she will participate in deciding disputes between states and advisory proceedings before the Court — contributing to the development of international jurisprudence.

Conclusion

Professor Phoebe Okowa’s journey — from Kericho, Kenya to the top ranks of international law — is a story of intellectual excellence, dedication to public service, and impactful scholarship. Her blend of academic depth and practical engagement has earned her international recognition and now a place on the bench of the International Court of Justice. For students, scholars, and practitioners of international law, her career offers lessons in scholarship, service, and the power of representation in global institutions.