Tinubu Requests Senate to Confirm Justice Kekere-Ekun as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)”

President Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Justice Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Learn more about the nomination process.

President Bola Tinubu has submitted a request to the Senate for the confirmation of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). During the plenary session on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio presented Tinubu’s letter.

In his correspondence, Tinubu referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants him the authority to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, subject to Senate approval. The President expressed his confidence in Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination and urged the Senate to expedite the process.

“I hereby submit the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I am hopeful that this request will receive the Senate’s swift consideration and approval,” stated Tinubu in his communication to the legislators.

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Senate President Akpabio has referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for discussion at the next legislative session. The National Judicial Council (NJC) had recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu in August as the successor to the former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

At 66 years of age, Justice Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the Acting CJN since the retirement of Justice Ariwoola last month. She is the 23rd individual to hold the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female jurist to do so, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her legal career began at the University of Lagos, where she earned her first law degree in 1980. After completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School, she was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.