Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was officially sworn in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Friday, August 23, 2024.
The ceremony, held in the Council Chambers, marked a significant milestone as Justice Kekere-Ekun took her oath of office at 11:38 am and assumed her position on the left-hand side of the President by 11:45 am.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who will serve in an acting capacity pending Senate confirmation, was nominated for the role following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The National Judicial Council (NJC) presented her nomination to President Tinubu on August 15.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in her leadership, stating, “Justice Kekere-Ekun’s extensive experience and dedication to the judiciary make her a fitting choice to lead the nation’s highest court.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun is the second female jurist to hold the esteemed position, following in the footsteps of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Supreme Court Justices, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other leaders from the House of Representatives. Also present were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s legal career began after earning her law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, and later pursued a Master of Law at the London School of Economics, graduating in November 1983. Her judicial journey includes serving as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary and later being promoted to State High Court Judge. She was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004, a testament to her significant contributions to the judiciary.
