*Photo: Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun*
The National Judicial Council has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The recommendation followed the upcoming retirement of the incumbent, Justice Oluwakayode Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s recommendation was part of the outcome of the meeting of the NJC, which also recommended the appointment of 27 others as Judges of State High Courts.
The decision was confirmed by the spokesman of the NJC, Soji Oye, in a statement on Thursday.
The emergence of Kekere-Ekun is subject to confirmation by President Bola Tinubu and screening by the Senate.
Kekere Ekun was born on 7 May 1958 in London, United Kingdom. In 1980, she received a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos.
She was admitted to the Nigeria Bar on 10 July 1981, having graduated from the Nigerian Law School before she proceeded to the London School of Economics where she received a master’s degree in Law in November 1983.
From 1985 to 1989 she was in private practise and was later appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. She served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.
Hon. Justice Kekere-ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004 where she served in various Divisions of the Court and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure) in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn-in on Monday 8 July 2023.
She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and also received several merit awards.
Hon. Justice Kekere-ekun is a life Bencher, a Member of the International Association of Women Judges and currently its President.
She is happily married with children.