President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.

In attendance at the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, and several ministers, including Muhammed Idris (Information), Nyesom Wike (FCT), Lateef Fagbemi (Justice), and Zephaniah Jisalo (Special Duties).

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in as the substantive Chief Justice follows her confirmation by the Nigerian Senate last week. Prior to this, President Tinubu had appointed her in an acting capacity in August, following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Kekere-Ekun is now the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold the position, the first being Justice Alooma Mukhtar.

Born on 7 May 1958 in London, United Kingdom, Justice Kekere-Ekun began her legal education at the University of Lagos, where she earned her law degree in 1980. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10 July 1981, after completing her studies at the Nigeria Law School. She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, where she obtained a Master of Laws in November 1983.

Her judicial career began as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary, eventually rising to the position of a High Court Judge. Between November 1996 and May 1999, she served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja.

In 2004, she was appointed to the Court of Appeal, recognising her notable contributions to the judiciary. Her career reached a significant milestone in July 2013 when she was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In October 2022, her exemplary service to the judiciary was recognised by President Muhammadu Buhari, who conferred upon her the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).