12 Facts About Nigeria’s New Chief Justice, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has recently been appointed as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), officially taking office during a ceremony led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Serving initially in an acting role, her confirmation by the Senate is pending.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was officially sworn in at 11:38 AM and took her position in the Council Chambers, next to the President, at 11:45 AM.

Here are 12  facts about the new CJN, Justice Kekere-Ekun:

1. She was born on May 7, 1958.

2. Justice Kekere-Ekun earned her law degree from the University of Lagos and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.

3. She pursued further studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, obtaining an LL.M. in November 1983.

4. Her legal career began in Lagos, where she practised as a private lawyer from 1985 until 1989.

5. In December 1989, she was appointed as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary.

6. On July 19, 1996, she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State and served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999.

7. On September 22, 2004, she was elevated to the Court of Appeal, where she served in various divisions and as presiding Justice in Makurdi and Akure.

8. Justice Kekere-Ekun joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria as its 5th female Justice on July 8, 2013.

9. She has participated in numerous national and international legal seminars and courses and has received several awards for her contributions to the judiciary.

10. She is a life Bencher and serves as the President of the International Association of Women Judges.

11. In October 2022, she was honoured with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

12. Justice Kekere-Ekun is married and has children.