Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has officially been appointed as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). President Bola Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria early Friday morning, administered the oath of office to Justice Kekere-Ekun at a ceremony held in the Council Chambers of the State House.

At 66 years old, Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the second female Chief Justice in Nigeria’s history. She succeeds Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired from the position on Thursday after holding the office for just under two years.

The appointment follows a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which had endorsed Justice Kekere-Ekun, the most senior justice on the Supreme Court bench, for the role. Justice Kekere-Ekun was previously elevated to the Supreme Court as the fifth female justice in July 2013.

This transition marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s judiciary, underscoring a continued commitment to diversity and experienced leadership within the nation’s highest court.