THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will swear in 57 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Monday, September 29, at the Supreme Court in Abuja.
The Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Festus Akande, a doctoral holder, announced on Sunday that the ceremony would open the 2025/2026 legal year.
Kekere-Ekun will also deliver a “State of the Judiciary” address reviewing the Supreme Court’s performance in the 2024/2025 legal year and outlining priorities for the year ahead.
The statement added that key figures in the justice sector, including the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, are scheduled to make presentations focusing on reforms and challenges facing the administration of justice.
The ICIR reports that the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had approved the 57 honourees during its 169th plenary session in July 2025.
Of the group, 56 are practising advocates, while one was chosen from the academic community. All have completed the mandatory pre-swearing induction programme.
The LPPC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Eniola said three petitions challenging some applications were filed but dismissed for lacking merit.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest distinction in the Nigerian legal profession.
Those elevated, often called ‘silks’, gain exclusive courtroom privileges such as front-row seating and priority in case listings. They also wear the distinctive silk robes that set them apart from other lawyers.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M