Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has died at the age of 89.
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The retired jurist passed away on Friday in Abuja, according to a family source who confirmed the development. Preparations are currently underway for his funeral prayer and burial.
Born on June 12, 1936, Justice Uwais served as CJN from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s judicial history.
Justice Uwais was appointed to the Supreme Court at the young age of 43 and went on to become the second longest-serving Chief Justice of Nigeria, with a tenure spanning 11 years. His career on the bench lasted 27 years, making him the longest-serving Justice of the Supreme Court.
During his time at the helm of Nigeria’s judiciary, Justice Uwais worked under five military regimes and two civilian administrations. He was appointed to the apex court by then-military Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, and retired under the same individual, who by then had become a democratically elected president.
In 2008, after his retirement, Justice Uwais was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to chair the Electoral Reform Committee. The panel produced a landmark report recommending comprehensive reforms aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s electoral system—a legacy that continues to shape electoral discourse in the country.
Justice Uwais’ leadership was highly revered, and in 2006, Nigerians voted the judiciary as “Man of the Year” under his stewardship.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country, with many describing him as a beacon of integrity and judicial excellence.
He is survived by his family, colleagues, and a grateful nation.
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