President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), making her the second female jurist to hold this position.
The ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, with dignitaries such as the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu, in attendance.
Kekere-Ekun’s appointment comes after her recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJN) and the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. She will serve in an acting capacity until her confirmation by the Senate.
Born on May 7, 1958, in London, the New CJN hails from a distinguished family in Lagos State. She studied law at the University of Lagos and later earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
She began her judicial career as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos in 1989 and rose through the ranks, serving as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State and later as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
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Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2013 and has served as the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Litigation Department of the Court.
She has also been recognized for her leadership roles, including serving as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal and as a member of the Supreme Court Rules Committee.
Nigeria’s Judiciary New Helmsman has been married to Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun since 1983 and has three children.
As the new CJN, Justice Kekere-Ekun brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, and her appointment is seen as a great milestone in the Nigerian judiciary.
