By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor
With her swearing-in as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, on Friday, August 23, 2024 and substantive CJN on September 30, 2024, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun became the 18th leader of Nigeria’s Judiciary since independence.
She succeeded Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Kekere-Ekun is the second woman to mount the saddle after Justice Alooma Mukthar.
Nigerian CJNs since independence
1 Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, 1960-1972
2 Taslim Olawale Elias, 1972-1975
3 Darnley Arthur Alexander, 1975-1979
4 Atanda Fatai-Williams, 1979-1983)
5 George Sodeinde Sowemimo, 1983-1985
6 Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, 1985-1987
7 Mohammed Bello, 1987-1995
8 Muhammad Lawal Uwais, 1995-2006
9 Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore, 2006-2007
10 dris Legbo Kutigi, 2007-2009
11 Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu, 2009-2011
12 Dahiru Musdapher, 2011-2012
13 Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (2012-2014
14 Mahmud Mohammed, 2014-2016
15 Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, 2017-2019
16 Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (2019-2022
17 Oluwakayode Ariwoola, 2022- 2024
18 Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, 2024-present
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