The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), succeeding Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The decision was made during the NJC’s 106th meeting, held on August 14 and 15, 2024, and presided over by the outgoing CJN, Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who is currently the most senior justice of the Supreme Court after Ariwoola, is set to become the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, following Mariam Aloma Mukhtar. The 66-year-old justice is expected to take over the role after Ariwoola’s retirement on August 22, 2024.
In addition to this recommendation, the NJC also proposed 27 candidates for appointment as state court judges and one candidate for Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja. These recommendations have been forwarded to the respective state governors and the President for approval.
