CJN to swear in 57 new senior advocates as Supreme Court opens legal year

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Monday, September 29, 2025, administer the oath of office to 57 newly elevated Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the Supreme Court’s Main Courtroom in Abuja.

The ceremony, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, is part of activities lined up for the formal commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is also expected to deliver an address reviewing the court’s performance during the 2024/2025 legal year while presenting an outlook on developments across the judiciary.

“In line with long-standing tradition, the CJN will deliver a State of the Judiciary address with a view to highlighting the state of the Supreme Court in particular, and the Nigerian Judiciary in general, in the 2024/2025 legal year,” the statement read.

The programme will also feature contributions from major stakeholders in the justice sector, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Their remarks are expected to touch on critical challenges in justice administration and the reforms needed to strengthen the system.

The Supreme Court noted that it began its annual vacation on July 21, 2025, after what was described as a “remarkably successful” 2024/2025 legal year. Events to mark the new legal year will kick off at 10 a.m. on Monday.

It will be recalled that on July 24, 2025, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee unveiled the list of 57 lawyers approved for elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Out of this number, 56 are practising advocates while one was honoured from the academic community.