President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), marking a significant moment in the nation’s judiciary.
The ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, was attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and key ministers.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in follows her recent confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, solidifying her role as the substantive CJN. This appointment comes after she served as Acting Chief Justice, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola in August.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, in London, becomes the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold the position, after Justice Alooma Mukhtar. Her legal journey began at the University of Lagos, where she earned her law degree in 1980. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 and obtained a Master of Law from the London School of Economics in 1983.
Over the years, Justice Kekere-Ekun has made significant contributions to the judiciary, starting as a Senior Magistrate in the Lagos State Judiciary before being promoted to High Court Judge. She also served on the Court of Appeal and was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2013. In 2022, her achievements were recognized when she was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
As the new CJN, Kekere-Ekun is expected to continue her distinguished service, bringing decades of legal expertise to Nigeria’s judiciary.