Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, is undergoing Senate confirmation screening today. President Bola Tinubu has nominated her for the position following the retirement of Olukayode Ariwoola. If confirmed, Kekere-Ekun will make history as the first woman to hold the office in Nigeria.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, currently serving as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), is undergoing a confirmation hearing in the Senate today. This crucial session follows her appointment in August after the retirement of her predecessor, Olukayode Ariwoola.
President Bola Tinubu formally submitted her nomination for confirmation to the Senate, emphasizing the need for swift consideration. In his letter to the upper legislative chamber, he referred to the constitutional provision that empowers him to appoint the CJN upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC). He expressed confidence that the Senate would handle the request expeditiously.
Accompanied by family members and judicial colleagues, Kekere-Ekun is participating in the screening process in the committee of the whole. Her confirmation is pivotal, as she seeks to solidify her position in a role critical to the judiciary's integrity and functioning in Nigeria. The Senate's decision on her confirmation will determine the leadership of the nation's highest court, impacting the judicial landscape moving forward.
As the confirmation process unfolds, the focus remains on Kekere-Ekun's qualifications and vision for the judiciary. If confirmed, she will become the first woman to hold the substantive position of CJN in Nigeria's history, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the country's legal system.
