CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to Swear In 57 New Senior Advocates of Nigeria on September 29, 2025

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will preside over the formal swearing-in ceremony of 57 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) on Monday, September 29, 2025. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court in Abuja, officially marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year of Nigeria’s apex court.

According to a statement released by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. Festus Akande, the swearing-in is part of a series of engagements planned to celebrate the new legal year. Justice Kekere-Ekun will also deliver the much-anticipated State of the Judiciary address, which will review the performance of the Supreme Court and provide an overview of significant developments across the Nigerian judiciary in the 2024/2025 legal year.

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The statement noted, “In line with a long-standing tradition, the Chief Justice will highlight the progress and challenges of the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judicial system in the past legal year.”

Key stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector are expected to contribute to the special court session through presentations. Expected speakers include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Their discussions will focus on pressing issues affecting the administration of justice and proposed reforms to strengthen the judiciary.

This ceremony follows the announcement by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) on July 24, 2025, which approved the elevation of 57 lawyers—56 practicing advocates alongside one academic—to the esteemed rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The newly appointed SANs have completed a mandatory Pre-Swearing-In Induction Programme, ensuring they are fully prepared to uphold the standards of the profession.

The Supreme Court concluded its annual vacation on July 21, 2025, following what was described as a “remarkably successful” 2024/2025 legal year. The new legal year’s official opening, including the SAN swearing-in and judicial addresses, will commence at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

This event not only signifies a new chapter for the honorees but marks a celebrated tradition in Nigeria’s legal calendar, underscoring the continued dedication to excellence and integrity within the judicial arm of government.