The Nigerian judiciary is preparing for a landmark occasion as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Monday, September 29, 2025, formally swear in 57 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). The event will hold at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja and will be one of the key highlights marking the official commencement of the new legal year.
The conferment of the SAN rank remains the pinnacle of professional recognition for lawyers and legal scholars in Nigeria. It is an honor reserved only for those who have distinguished themselves in advocacy, legal scholarship, and overall contribution to the development of law and justice.
The Ceremony and Its Importance
The swearing-in of SANs traditionally marks the opening of the Supreme Court’s new legal year. It is a ceremonial but deeply significant occasion that brings together justices of the Supreme Court, judges of other superior courts, top members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), senior lawyers, and families of the honorees.
For the new SANs, the ceremony is not just an investiture but a call to higher responsibility in upholding the principles of justice, professionalism, and integrity.
What It Means to Attain the Rank of SAN
The SAN title is the Nigerian equivalent of the Queen’s Counsel (QC) or King’s Counsel (KC) in the United Kingdom. It is a recognition of excellence and leadership in the legal profession.
To qualify, an applicant must:
- Be in active legal practice for a minimum of 10 years.
- Have successfully handled a significant number of cases at the appellate level.
- Maintain impeccable character and professional discipline.
- For academic candidates, demonstrate outstanding contributions through research, publications, and teaching.
Out of hundreds of applicants, only a handful are selected each year after rigorous scrutiny by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), chaired by the CJN.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s First SAN Swearing-In
This year’s ceremony is particularly significant as it will be the first SAN swearing-in conducted by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun since her elevation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Known for her strong stance on judicial reforms and integrity in the legal system, Justice Kekere-Ekun is expected to emphasize accountability, transparency, and renewed commitment to the rule of law in her address at the event.
Her leadership of the LPPC has already been hailed for ensuring that the selection process for SANs remains merit-driven and devoid of compromise.
The 57 New SANs
The honorees for 2025 consist of a mix of practicing advocates and academics who have made remarkable contributions to law. Below is the full list of the 57 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria scheduled for swearing-in:
- Chinyere Chinenye Moneme
- Wasiu Afolabi Adebayo
- Nnamdi Onwuka Nwafor
- Bayo Olugbemi
- Edward Nnanna Okonkwo
- Joseph Dada Jimoh
- Hajiya Aisha Suleiman Usman
- Yakubu Abubakar Adamu
- Victor Olalekan Ogunleye
- Ibrahim Shehu Musa
- Emeka Jude Okwara
- Adeola Adebisi Agboola
- Chief Clifford Uzoma Ezeokeke
- Barr. Ruth Ngozi Ogbogu
- Babajide Omotayo Lawal
- Florence Adebimpe Owolabi
- Chukwudi Kelechi Obi
- Danjuma Bello Lere
- Adeyinka Michael Akintola
- Mohammed Sani Garba
- Victoria Ifeoma Ezeani
- Barr. Samuel Eziokwu Emejulu
- Godfrey Agbo Ekpang
- Ibrahim Ahmed Abdullahi
- Uche Kingsley Okonkwo
- Barr. Tunde Kayode Alabi
- Martha Yusuf Sule
- Dr. Peter Olusegun Obafemi
- Sulaiman Abubakar Bello
- Charles Ndubuisi Anyaegbu
- Anthony Oghenero Efekodje
- Chinelo Gloria Anene
- Abdulaziz Ibrahim Muhammad
- Akinwale Oluwasegun Akinyemi
- Samuel Babatunde Oyebanji
- Nkiru Adaeze Okoye
- Barr. Ugochukwu Michael Oduah
- Ibrahim Kabiru Aliyu
- Osita Chukwuemeka Nwokoye
- Maryam Bintu Ahmed
- Sunday Chukwuma Umeh
- Funke Morounkeji Adepoju
- Barr. James Odili Agu
- Victor Ugochukwu Njoku
- Hassan Mohammed Umar
- Kelechi Osinachi Iwu
- Barr. Fatima Sadiya Ibrahim
- Patrick Ijeoma Okafor
- Habiba Mohammed Lawal
- Oladipo Ayodele Shittu
- Collins Ejike Nnamani
- Isaac Akintoye Oladimeji
- Barr. Esther Omolola Ogunjimi
- Mohammed Bashir Adamu
- Ogechi Nnena Madu
- Innocent Udo Udo
- Adekunle Solomon Adeyemi
This diverse list reflects a blend of genders, regions, and areas of specialization, further reinforcing the inclusivity of the selection process.
Implications for the Legal Profession
The swearing-in of the 57 SANs will have far-reaching effects on Nigeria’s legal practice:
- Higher Standards in Advocacy: More seasoned legal practitioners will be available for complex litigation.
- Mentorship and Guidance: Younger lawyers can look up to SANs for inspiration and mentorship.
- Contribution to Scholarship: Academic SANs will deepen jurisprudence through teaching and publications.
- Judicial Pool Expansion: Many SANs eventually serve as judges, enriching the bench with seasoned professionals.
Reactions and Public Expectations
The Nigerian Bar Association has congratulated the honorees, urging them to see the achievement as a “higher call to service.” The NBA emphasized that SANs must uphold justice, discipline, and ethical values in all aspects of practice.
Legal analysts note that Nigerians expect the new SANs to be champions of reforms, including fighting delays in justice delivery, resisting corruption, and expanding access to justice for underprivileged citizens.
Civil society groups have also weighed in, stressing that the conferment of SAN should not be seen merely as personal recognition but as an opportunity to serve the nation’s justice system.
Conclusion
The upcoming swearing-in of 57 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria by Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun represents a landmark in the ongoing evolution of the country’s legal system. For the honorees, it is the crowning of years of hard work, dedication, and integrity. For the nation, it is another opportunity to strengthen the rule of law, enhance advocacy, and reinforce the prestige of the legal profession.
As the nation’s legal minds gather at the Supreme Court on September 29, all eyes will be on the new SANs — not just for the honor they carry, but for the responsibility they now bear in advancing justice in Nigeria.
