365NEWS gathered that Nigeria has appointed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as its 23rd Chief Justice of the Federation, a notable milestone as she becomes the second female to hold this prestigious position.
This historic appointment, announced by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, marks a significant step toward promoting gender equality in Nigeria’s highest judicial office.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who has had a distinguished career in the judiciary, is expected to bring her wealth of experience to this new role, influencing key legal reforms and further bolstering the independence and integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Born in London, United Kingdom, on May 7, 1958, Justice Kekere-Ekun is the eldest of eleven children. Her parents, both from Lagos State, Nigeria, played a significant role in shaping her life. Her father, Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, was a prominent figure in Nigeria, serving as a senator, legal practitioner, and one of the founding fathers of Lagos. Her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu, was a dedicated public health nurse who built a successful career in the Lagos State civil service.
Justice Kekere-Ekun began her education at private primary schools before attending Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970. She went on to study Law at the University of Lagos, earning her LL.B in 1980, followed by attendance at the Nigerian Law School, where she was called to the Bar in 1981. After completing her National Youth Service Corps at the Ministry of Justice in Benin City, she obtained a master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1983.
Her legal career started in private practice, but she transitioned to the judiciary in 1989 when she was appointed as a Senior Magistrate in Lagos State. She steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in 1996, and later, in 2004, a Justice of the Court of Appeal. In 2013, she was elevated to the Supreme Court, becoming the fifth woman to serve at Nigeria’s apex court.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has held several significant positions throughout her career. She chaired the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Lagos, served on the Ethics Curriculum Planning Committee, and was involved in numerous initiatives to strengthen judicial integrity and improve the legal system. Her contributions to the Lagos State Judiciary are particularly noteworthy, including her role in drafting the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004 and her involvement with Africa’s first court-connected Alternative Dispute Resolution center.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Women Judges and the International Association of Women Judges. She is also a Life Bencher and a Fellow of both the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the International Dispute Resolution Institute.
She has been married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, since December 1983, and they have three children together.
Among her landmark decisions are pivotal judgments in significant governorship disputes in Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Rivers States, where her rulings have had a profound impact on the political landscape.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as Nigeria’s 23rd Chief Justice is a testament to her exemplary service and commitment to the judiciary. Her leadership is expected to bring continued progress and reform to Nigeria’s legal system.
