President Bola Tinubu on Friday administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), urging her to uphold the independence of the judiciary and enhance transparency and integrity within the system.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, marked the appointment of Nigeria’s 23rd Chief Justice and the second female to hold the position. This event comes as Justice Kekere-Ekun awaits Senate confirmation for her role.
In his address, President Tinubu emphasized the significant responsibilities associated with the office of the CJN, highlighting the need for integrity and discipline. “The position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities,” he said. “You must exude the highest level of integrity, given the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgments.”
The President praised Justice Kekere-Ekun’s distinguished career and contributions to the judiciary. “Her meritorious rise from a magistrate to a Supreme Court justice reflects her exceptional talent and commitment to justice,” he noted. He also described her appointment as an inspiration for young women aspiring to break barriers.
Tinubu also reflected on the Supreme Court’s crucial role in resolving legal conflicts and shaping public policy, citing recent developments such as the Judicial Autonomy Act of 2024, which increased judicial officers’ salaries by 300 percent. He reassured continued support from his administration to enhance the judiciary’s welfare and capacity.
Following her swearing-in, Justice Kekere-Ekun pledged to improve the judiciary’s reputation and public confidence. “A better judiciary benefits the entire nation,” she stated. “We must all work together to address any shortcomings and ensure a judiciary we can all be proud of.”
The ceremony was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former CJNs, Supreme Court justices, senior judicial officers, and members of the Federal Executive Council. The family of Justice Kekere-Ekun, led by her spouse, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, was also present.
President Tinubu’s administration has previously increased the judiciary’s budget by 100 percent to support its welfare, reflecting a commitment to strengthening the judicial system.
