Nigeria’s Chief Justices Since Independence: Full List

Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun became Nigeria’s 18th Chief Justice since independence when she succeeded Justice Olukayode Ariwoola in 2024.

Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on August 23, 2024, a day after Ariwoola retired, and became the substantive Chief Justice on September 30, 2024. She is the second woman to head Nigeria’s Judiciary, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

Her appointment followed a recommendation by the National Judicial Council to President Bola Tinubu in August 2024. The NJC said Ariwoola was due to leave office on August 22, 2024.

Kekere-Ekun is currently listed by the NJC and the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Nigerian Chief Justices Since Independence

1. Sir Adetokunbo Ademola — 1960–1972
2. Justice Taslim Olawale Elias — 1972–1975
3. Justice Darnley Arthur Alexander — 1975–1979
4. Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams — 1979–1983
5. Justice George Sodeinde Sowemimo — 1983–1985
6. Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe — 1985–1987
7. Justice Muhammed Bello — 1987–1995
8. Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais — 1995–2006
9. Justice Salisu Modibo Alfa Belgore — 2006–2007
10. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi — 2007–2009
11. Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu — 2009–2011
12. Justice Dahiru Musdapher — 2011–2012
13. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar — 2012–2014
14. Justice Mahmud Mohammed — 2014–2016
15. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen — 2016–2019
16. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad — 2019–2022
17. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola — 2022–2024
18. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun — 2024–present

The Supreme Court’s official historical record confirms the sequence and service periods of the 18 post-independence Chief Justices, from Ademola through Ariwoola.

Two women have led Nigeria’s Judiciary

Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar made history as the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of Nigeria, holding the position from 2012 to 2014. Kekere-Ekun became the second woman to occupy the office when she succeeded Ariwoola in 2024.

Kekere-Ekun joined the Supreme Court in 2013 after serving at the Lagos State High Court and Court of Appeal. She was sworn in as Acting CJN on August 23, 2024, before her substantive appointment took effect on September 30 of the same year.