(CONCLAVE Personality) Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun

In a pivotal move during its 106th meeting, the National Judicial Council, under the leadership of Hon. Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, recommended the distinguished Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. This significant recommendation, now before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlights the need for continuity as Hon. Justice Ariwoola, GCON, prepares to retire next Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Born on May 7, 1958, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun (née Fasinro) has etched an impressive trajectory within the Nigerian judiciary. An alumna of the University of Lagos with an LL.B in 1980 and an LL.M from the prestigious London School of Economics in 1983, she began her legal career after being called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s early career involved private practice until 1989 when she transitioned to the judiciary as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos State. Her judicial ascent continued with her appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996, where she notably served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from 1996 to 1999.
Her reputation for judicial excellence led to her elevation to the Court of Appeal on September 22, 2004, where she served in multiple Divisions, including presiding over the Makurdi and Akure Divisions in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Her career peaked when she was sworn in as the 5th female Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on July 8, 2023.
A respected figure in the legal community, Justice Kekere-Ekun has participated in numerous local and international seminars and has received several merit awards. A life Bencher and current President of the International Association of Women Judges, her dedication to the legal profession is unwavering.
As she stands on the cusp of becoming Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Kekere-Ekun brings with her a wealth of experience, a legacy of integrity, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law at the nation’s highest court.