Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Makes History as Second Female CJN

Steve Aya

The Nigerian Judiciary recorded another landmark event, as Honourable Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC (nee Fasinro),mwas sworn in yesterday as the second ever Female Chief Justice of Nigeria. 

The National Judicial Council had recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu, for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. The recommendation was made during the NJC’s 106th meeting. 

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, followed in the footsteps of Honourable Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, GCON, who served as CJN from 2012 to 2014. 

Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom to Alhaji Senator H.A.B. Fasinro, OFR and Mrs Winifred Ogundimu.  

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1980. Kekere-Ekun was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School. She obtained he LLM from the London School of Economics in November 1983.

After a stint in private legal practice Kekere-Ekun, joined the Lagos State Judiciary as a Senior Magistrate in 1989 and was appointed as a High Court Judge in 1996. She also served as the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Lagos from 1996 to 1999. 

She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004 and the Supreme Court in July 2013. 

Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is married to Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and they are blessed with three 
children.