Nigeria has appointed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as its 23rd Chief Justice of the Federation.
This historic appointment makes her the second female Chief Justice in the country’s history.
President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment on Friday August 23, viewing it as a significant step towards advancing gender equality in Nigeria’s top judicial office.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has a distinguished career in the judiciary.
Her new role is expected to influence major legal reforms and strengthen the independence and integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Justice Kekere-Ekun Background
Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom.
Her parents, both from Lagos State, Nigeria, have greatly influenced her life. She is the eldest of eleven siblings.
Her father, Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, was a prominent Nigerian senator, legal practitioner, and founding father of Lagos. He passed away in March 2019 at the age of 99.
Her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu, was a devout Christian who studied nursing in the UK and later worked in the Lagos State civil service, retiring at age 60.
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Educational History
Justice Kekere-Ekun attended private primary schools before enrolling at Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970.
She studied Law at the University of Lagos from 1977 to 1980, earning her LL.B.
Justice Kekere completed the Nigerian Law School from 1980 to 1981 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
Afterward, she did her mandatory National Youth Service Corps at the Ministry of Justice in Benin City (now Edo State) from 1981 to 1982.
She then earned a master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1983.
After qualifying as a lawyer and earning her master’s degree, she worked in private practice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun Professional History
However, due to the demands of private practice on her family life, she chose to join the bench for a more predictable schedule.
In December 1989, she was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II by the Lagos State Judiciary.
She became a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. On September 22, 2004, she was elevated to the Court of Appeal, serving in various divisions across the country.
She was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and served as the Presiding Justice of the Akure Division before her appointment to the Supreme Court on July 8, 2013.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is the fifth woman to serve on the Supreme Court, following Justices Aloma Mukhtar, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Olufunlola Adekeye, and Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s career is marked by significant roles and contributions, highlighting her dedication to the judiciary.
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