The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has commended Lagos and Kano states for setting the pace in the appointment of female judges and magistrates across the country.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who spoke at the 25th biennial conference of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJIN), expressed optimism that the judiciary was on the path toward true gender balance, even as some states continue to trail behind.

“It is noteworthy that Lagos and Kano have become frontrunners in terms of women representation on the Bench. In fact, they are now female-dominated in some respects. However, a number of other states are still falling short,” she said.

The CJN emphasized that while significant progress has been made, more work remains in achieving equitable representation for women across judicial leadership roles nationwide.

“We’ve made commendable strides, but the journey toward full inclusivity is far from over. It is my hope that one day, we won’t have to count the number of women in leadership — it will simply be the norm,” she remarked.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria’s second female Chief Justice, highlighted the critical role women play in governance and nation-building, stressing the importance of including women in policy formulation processes.

“Women are divinely gifted with skills that enhance multitasking and productivity. These traits are essential for leadership and governance. It’s therefore imperative that we continue to push for gender-sensitive policies that promote access to justice,” she added.

The CJN also celebrated the increasing number of women in key judicial roles, noting that 20 female judicial officers currently head various courts across the country. While acknowledging this as a milestone, she cautioned that the figures still reflect a disparity in several jurisdictions.

“There are states with only two female judges out of a bench of 15 or 20. Our quest for equality isn’t merely symbolic — it is based on merit and capacity. Women have proven themselves competent and capable, and we must continue to demonstrate that through our diligence and commitment to excellence,” she said.

She further urged female judges to remain exemplary in their conduct and performance in order to pave the way for future generations of women in the judiciary.

In her closing remarks, the CJN applauded Justice Binta Nyako for her international service as President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) from 2023 to 2025, lauding her for representing Nigeria with distinction.

S/N Court/Conference Total No. of Judicial Officers No. of Female Officers Percentage Female
1 Supreme Court of Nigeria 20 6 30%
2 Court of Appeal 88 28 32%
3 Federal High Court 86 31 36%
4 National Industrial Court 35 12 34%
5 High Court of Justice, FCT 67 31 46%
6 State High Courts 831 303 36%
7 Customary Courts of Appeal 116 38 33%
8 Heads of Court (Federal & State) 60 22 37%
Total (Federal & State Courts) 1,391 449 32%

 

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