5 Things to Know About Nigeria’s Acting Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

Olukayode Ariwoola has been appointed acting Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari. This follows the resignation of Tanko Muhammad based on health issues. The Isheri-born justice is to fill the position pending confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Ariwoola was appointed as the second-highest ranked justice in the apex court. Here are major things you need to know about the acting Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

He spent his formative years in  South-Western  Nigeria

The making of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria started in Iseyin, Oyo State, the South Western part of Nigeria.

He had primary education at the Local Authority Demonstration school, Iseyin local government. Ariwoola started his secondary education at the Muslim Modern School in Isherin, then transferred to Ansar-ur-deen High school in Saki, Oyo state.

He got admitted to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he became a certified lawyer in 1980. He was called to the bar in 1981. The same year, he started working at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate.

He is a judicial veteran

Justice Olukayode Ariwola has many judicial laurels to his belt. He served as the State Counsel on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Ministry of Justice, Akure, Ondo State.

In discharging his service, he also served in his homeland. He served as the Legal Officer in the Ministry of Justice in Oyo State. Also, in 1992, he was appointed as the Oyo State Judiciary Judge.

Between 1993 and 1996, he presided over the Armed Robbery Tribunal in Oyo State before being transferred from the headquarters in Ibadan to the Saki High Court.

In 1999, he participated in the Zamfara and Enugu State election tribunals. Also, the election appeal courts in Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Yola, and Ilorin.

He worked as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in the Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos Divisions, after which he was promoted to the Supreme Court.

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He is got an entrepreneurial side

Olukayode started his entrepreneurial pursuit in 1988 when he willingly quit the judicial bar of the Oyo State Civil Service for private service.

In the same year, he began working for Chief Ladosu Ladapo as a counsel-in-Chambers. The following year, he halted and founded his chambers: Olukayode Ariwoola & Co in Oyo town, Oyo state.

Between 1988 to 1992, he also presided as chairman of the board of directors of Phonex Motors Limited, a company owned by Oodua Investment.

He’s bagged national & international accolades

Olukayode is a fellow of the International Dispute Resolution Institute (FIDRI) since his induction in Dubai in 2014.

As a vast judge, he has attended several international and national conferences and seminars in countries such as France, Atlanta, Georgia, the UK, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Olukayode Ariwoola is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and Nigerian Body of Benchers.

He lives a private life

Ariwoola is a private man who keeps his life away from the media. There is little information about his wife or children.

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