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Government directory / Nigeria
Nigeria judiciary

Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Supreme Court of Nigeria: Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun leads a bench of 18 justices on the Court's current list. Below are the justices with the year each joined the bench, the chief justices before them, the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Judicial Council.

Chief Justice of Nigeria

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun

Sworn in as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on 23 August 2024, and as Chief Justice of Nigeria on 30 September 2024. Predecessor: Olukayode Ariwoola, 2022 to 22 Aug 2024.

Nigeria Supreme Court justices

The Court's current list, in the Court's own order, with the year each justice joined the bench.

  1. Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-EkunChief Justice of Nigeria2013
  2. John Inyang Okoro2019
  3. Uwani Musa Abba Aji2019
  4. Mohammed Lawal Garba2020
  5. Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju2020
  6. Adamu Jauro2020
  7. Tijjani Abubakar2020
  8. Emmanuel Akomaye Agim2020
  9. Jummai Hannatu Sankey2024
  10. Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa2024
  11. Haruna Simon Tsammani2024
  12. Moore Aseimo Abraham Adumein2024
  13. Obande Festus Ogbuinya2024
  14. Stephen Jonah Adah2024
  15. Jamilu Yammama Tukur2024
  16. Abubakar Sadiq Umar2024
  17. Mohammed Baba Idris2024
  18. Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole25 Feb 2026

The Court's list of current justices also carries an end date for two justices, so they are counted separately. Years are the year the Court's record gives for the start of each term. Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme (term ended 2 April 2026); Habeeb Adewale Olumuyiwa Abiru (term ended 23 July 2026).

Chief justices of Nigeria

Years as the Court records them.

  • Olukayode Ariwoola2022 to 2024
  • Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad2019 to 2022
  • Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen2016 to 2019
  • Mahmud Mohammed2014 to 2016
  • Aloma Mariam Mukhtar2012 to 2014
  • Dahiru Musdapher2011 to 2012
  • Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu2010 to 2011
  • Idris Legbo Kutigi2007 to 2009
  • Salisu Modibo Alfa Belgore2006 to 2007
  • Muhammadu Lawal Uwais1995 to 2006
  • Muhammed Bello1987 to 1995
  • Ayo Gabriel Irikefe1985 to 1987
  • George Sodeinde Sowemimo1983 to 1985
  • Atanda Fatai-Williams1979 to 1983
  • Darnley Arthur Alexander1975 to 1979
  • Taslim Olawale Elias1972 to 1975
  • Adetokunbo Ademola1963 to 1972
  • Stafford Foster Sutton1956 to 1958
BodyWho leads itNote
Attorney General of the FederationLateef Olasunkanmi FagbemiDirectory entry
National Judicial CouncilKudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun (Chief Justice of Nigeria)Created by section 153 of the 1999 Constitution.

Sources: Supreme Court of Nigeria (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); State House, Abuja (retrieved 11 Oct 2026); National Judicial Council (retrieved 11 Oct 2026).

Nigeria government directoryNigeria National AssemblyHow we check office holders

Cite this

PollsAfrica (2026). Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Retrieved 11 Oct 2026 from https://pollsafrica.com/countries/nigeria/judiciary