Olayiwola Matthew
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), will on Monday, September 29, swear in 57 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at the Supreme Court in Abuja.
The ceremony, which will take place in the main courtroom of the apex court, will also mark the formal commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year.
The event comes as the court resumes sitting after its annual vacation, which began on July 21 following the conclusion of the 2024/2025 legal year.
In a statement announcing the event, Festus Akande, spokesperson of the Supreme Court, said that the CJN would use the occasion to deliver the traditional state-of-the-judiciary address, where she is expected to reflect on the performance of the court and the wider judiciary over the past year.
According to Akande, the annual address will also highlight the challenges faced by the judiciary and outline priorities for reforms and improvements in the 2025/2026 legal year.
The event is expected to draw key stakeholders in the justice sector, including Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Jjstice; the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN); and Yakubu Maikyau, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The conferment of the rank of SAN, the equivalent of the title of King’s Counsel (QC) in the United Kingdom, is the highest recognition for excellence in legal practice in Nigeria.
The honour is awarded annually to legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves in advocacy or academic contributions to the law.
The opening of the new legal year and the swearing-in of SANs is traditionally one of the most important dates on the Nigerian judiciary’s calendar, providing a platform for reflection on the state of justice delivery and the role of lawyers in strengthening the rule of law.