President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in a ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.

The event was attended by notable figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several ministers, including Muhammed Idris (Information), Nyesom Wike (FCT), Lateef Fagbemi (Justice), and Zephaniah (Special Duties).

Kekere-Ekun’s appointment follows her confirmation by the Nigerian Senate last week. She initially took the oath of office in August as acting CJN after the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. With this appointment, Kekere-Ekun becomes the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold this prestigious position, following Justice Alooma Mukhtar.

Born on May 7, 1958, in London, Kekere-Ekun began her legal journey at the University of Lagos, where she earned her law degree in 1980. After completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School, she was called to the Bar on July 10, 1981. She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, obtaining a Master of Laws in November 1983.

Kekere-Ekun's judicial career began as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary, where she was later promoted to State High Court Judge. She also chaired the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999. In recognition of her contributions to the judiciary, she was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004 and became a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2013.

In October 2022, her service to the judiciary was honored by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who awarded her the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).