President Bola Tinubu on Friday, swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The ceremony, which took place at about 11:38 am at the State House in Abuja, marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s judicial history as Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria, following in the footsteps of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who held the position from July 2012 to November 2014.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who will serve in an acting capacity pending Senate confirmation, was recommended for the position by the National Judicial Council following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The swearing-in event was attended by a number of prominent figures, including other Justices of the Supreme Court; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; members of the House of Representatives led by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu; and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
A Distinguished CareerBorn on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun is a distinguished jurist and the eldest of eleven siblings from a prominent Lagos State family.
She pursued her primary education at private schools before attending Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970. Her passion for law led her to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she earned her law degree from 1977 to 1980. She was called to the Bar in July 1981 after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School.
Justice Kekere-Ekun furthered her education by obtaining a master’s degree in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1983.
Her judicial career began as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos in December 1989. Her dedication and skill quickly saw her rise through the ranks, and by July 19, 1996, she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State.
In September 2004, she was elevated to the Court of Appeal, serving in various divisions across Nigeria. Notably, she was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and later the Presiding Justice of the Akure Division.
On July 8, 2013, she was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court, becoming the fifth and youngest female to hold the position. She has played key roles in the judiciary, including being a member of the Supreme Court Rules Committee and the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Litigation Department of the Court.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has also served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, and has been honored as a Life Bencher by the Body of Benchers since February 8, 2018.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, and they have three children together.
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