Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun: Trailblazer on Nigeria’s Supreme Court

Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun is a distinguished Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, known for her integrity and dedication to the legal profession.

As the fifth and youngest female to be appointed to Nigeria’s highest court, she has had a remarkable career shaped by her early life, education, and notable achievements.

Born on May 7, 1958, in London, UK, Justice Kekere-Ekun hails from Lagos State, Nigeria.

Her father, Alhaji Senator H.A.B. Fasinro, was a prominent lawyer and politician, while her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu, was a dedicated nurse and civil servant. Raised in a disciplined, polygamous household, she was instilled with values of hard work and integrity from a young age.

Justice Kekere-Ekun received a top-tier education, attending Queen’s College in Lagos before studying law at the University of Lagos. She earned her LL.B in 1980 and furthered her studies at the Nigerian Law School and the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she obtained a master’s degree in law.

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Her legal career began in private practice, but she soon transitioned to the judiciary, starting as a Senior Magistrate in Lagos in 1989. Over the years, she rose through the ranks, becoming a Judge of the Lagos State High Court, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, and eventually, in 2013, a Justice of the Supreme Court.

Justice Kekere-Ekun has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal system, including her work on the Supreme Court Rules Committee and her leadership in various judicial committees.

She has been recognized with numerous awards for her service, including the Merit Awards of the Lagos State Judiciary and the Distinguished Trailblazers Awards by the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum.

Married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, since 1983, and a mother of three, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s career and personal life reflect her commitment to excellence and her guiding principles of self-examination and setting high standards.