Kekere-Ekun Takes Over As CJN Today

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun will today become the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) after Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retires.

Last week, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the CJN.

If President Tinubu approves her, she will be the second female CJN after Justice Mouktar Aloma, who was the first female CJN.

NJC made the recommendation at its 106th Meeting on August 14 and 15, which was presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola took the oath of office as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on June 27, 2022.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958. She obtained her LL. B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.

From 1985 to 1989, she was in private practice and was later appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. She served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 to May 1999.

She was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004, where she served in various Divisions and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Aku) in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice and sworn in on Monday, July 8, 2023.

She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and received several merit awards.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is a life Bencher, a Member of the International Association of Women Judges and its President.