Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun serves as a prominent Nigerian jurist and the current Chief Justice of Nigeria. She took office in August 2024 and stands out as one of the most senior figures in the nation’s legal system.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun |
| Date of birth | 7 May 1958 |
| Place of birth | London, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of origin | Lagos State |
| Partner | Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR |
| Children | Three children |
| Occupations | Jurist, judge, Supreme Court Justice, Chief Justice of Nigeria |
| Net worth | Estimated $5-10 million (unverified) |
Early Life and Education
Born on 7 May 1958 in London, United Kingdom, she has roots in Lagos State, Nigeria, through her parents. She obtained her LL.B. from the University of Lagos in 1980, completed her training at the Nigerian Law School, and was called to the bar on 10 July 1981.
Following her National Youth Service at the Ministry of Justice in Benin City, she pursued and earned an LL.M. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in November 1983.
Career
Kekere-Ekun started her judicial journey in the Lagos State Judiciary as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in December 1989. She advanced to Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on 19 July 1996.
From November 1996 to May 1999, she chaired the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja. In 2004, she rose to the Court of Appeal on 22 September, serving in various divisions and acting as Presiding Justice in Makurdi and Akure.
Appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 8 July 2013, she became the fifth woman to serve there, handling key constitutional, electoral, and commercial cases.
Following the retirement of Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, she was named Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2024, sworn in on 23 August, making her the second woman and the first from the Southwest zone to hold the position.
Personal Life
She is married to Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and they have three children. Known for her privacy, little additional detail about her family or personal habits appears in public records.
Net Worth
Online sources commonly estimate her net worth at around $5-10 million, derived from her long judicial career, official salary, and allowances as Chief Justice. These figures remain unverified through official disclosures.
Awards and Recognition
Her judicial service earned her the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) and later the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). She holds historic distinctions as the second female Chief Justice and the first from the Southwest, celebrated for her steady rise through Nigeria’s court system and impactful rulings.
