Abuja, Nigeria – In a historic move towards gender equality in the judiciary, Nigeria has appointed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as its 23rd Chief Justice of the Federation, making her the second female to ever hold the nation’s highest judicial office. The announcement, made by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, marks a significant milestone in the country’s legal history.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who brings decades of judicial experience and a reputation for integrity to the role, is expected to drive key legal reforms and strengthen the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary. Her appointment is widely seen as a progressive step in promoting diversity within the nation’s legal system.
Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, to parents from Lagos State, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s path to the judiciary was influenced by her family’s strong legal and public service background. Her father, Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, was a prominent legal practitioner and a founding father of Lagos, while her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu, was a public health nurse and civil servant.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s educational journey began at Queen’s College, Lagos, before she pursued a degree in Law at the University of Lagos, graduating in 1980. She later attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1981. Following her academic success, she earned a master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1983.
Her career on the bench began in December 1989 when she was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II by the Lagos State Judiciary. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in 1996 and later serving on the Court of Appeal from 2004. In 2013, she was elevated to the Supreme Court, becoming the fifth woman to sit on Nigeria’s highest court.
Throughout her career, Justice Kekere-Ekun has presided over several landmark cases that have shaped Nigeria’s legal landscape. Notably, she delivered judgments in high-profile governorship disputes, including the cases of Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Rivers States, where her decisions upheld or overturned lower court rulings, influencing the political trajectory of these regions.
In addition to her judicial duties, Justice Kekere-Ekun has contributed to various legal reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing judicial integrity and access to justice. She has been involved in the development of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and has served on committees that drafted critical procedural rules for the Lagos State judiciary.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria is celebrated not only for her professional accomplishments but also for breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Her leadership is expected to inspire future generations of women in law and public service.
She is married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, a former Managing Director of the now-defunct Habib Bank Nigeria Plc, and together they have three children. Justice Kekere-Ekun is a recipient of numerous awards and holds memberships in several professional associations, including the National Association of Women Judges and the International Association of Women Judges.
As she assumes her new role, Justice Kekere-Ekun is poised to continue her legacy of upholding the rule of law and advancing Nigeria’s judiciary towards greater fairness and equity.
