Nigeria has had 18 Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN) since gaining independence in 1960, with only two of them being women across a span of six decades. The most recent appointment came when Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as acting CJN on August 23, 2024, and later confirmed in a substantive capacity on September 30, 2024.
Kekere-Ekun's Rise and the Gender Milestone
Justice Kekere-Ekun took over from Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on August 22, 2024, bringing his tenure from 2022 to a close. She is only the second woman to head the Nigerian judiciary. The first was Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from 2012 to 2014.
According to a report by Vanguard, the complete record of every CJN Nigeria has had since independence is as follows:
- Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, 1960–1972
- Taslim Olawale Elias, 1972–1975
- Darnley Arthur Alexander, 1975–1979
- Atanda Fatai-Williams, 1979–1983
- George Sodeinde Sowemimo, 1983–1985
- Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, 1985–1987
- Mohammed Bello, 1987–1995
- Muhammad Lawal Uwais, 1995–2006
- Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore, 2006–2007
- Idris Legbo Kutigi, 2007–2009
- Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu, 2009–2011
- Dahiru Musdapher, 2011–2012
- Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, 2012–2014
- Mahmud Mohammed, 2014–2016
- Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, 2017–2019
- Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, 2019–2022
- Olukayode Ariwoola, 2022–2024
- Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, 2024–present
Gender Breakdown Over 66 Years
Of the 18 people who have led Nigeria's highest court, 16 were men, and 2 were women. Justice Mukhtar's appointment in 2012 marked the first time a woman had ever served as CJN, a milestone that stood alone for over a decade before Kekere-Ekun's elevation in 2024.
The longest single tenure on the list belongs to Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, who served for 12 years from independence in 1960 until 1972. Muhammad Lawal Uwais also served for 11 years between 1995 and 2006. At the shorter end, Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore and Dahiru Musdapher each served for roughly one year.
Justice Kekere-Ekun: Background and Path to the Top
Legit.ng also reported that Justice Kekere-Ekun has been sworn in as Nigeria's new Chief Justice, bringing years of experience and a strong track record in the judiciary. Coming from a family known for public service, Justice Kekere-Ekun has risen through the ranks, from a Lagos State Judge to a Supreme Court Justice.
With a solid education and active involvement in legal circles, her expected appointment as Chief Justice reflects her dedication to justice in Nigeria.
