Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born to the family of Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, OFR, LL.D, a renowned legal practitioner, politician, author and devout Muslim; and Chief Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), a distinguished public health practitioner and current head of the Savage Family, a large and prominent Lagos family.

Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun’s academic journey began with her early education briefly at St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, Lagos and later Corona School, Ikoyi, Lagos from where she gained admission into the prestigious Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos for her secondary education. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She later obtained her Master of Laws (LL.M) from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London in 1983.

After practicing as an associate at M.O. Oseni & Co. (1985-1989), Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun transitioned into public service, starting as a Magistrate Grade II in 1989 and rising to Chief Magistrate Grade II by 1993. In 1996, she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State, where she contributed significantly to judicial reforms.

During her tenure as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun played a prominent role as a member of the Committee that piloted the amendment of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules in 2004, a landmark reform that introduced front-loading procedures, pre-trial conferences, the application of ADR mechanisms to accelerate the dispensation of justice and filing of witness statements on oath, which required witnesses to provide written statements of their evidence prior to trial. These innovations, now adopted across Nigeria, reflect her forward-thinking approach and commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the judicial process. As a member of the Steering Committee of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, she also championed court-connected alternative dispute resolution, which has since become an integral part of Nigeria’s legal framework.

In 2004, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal, where she served in the Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Makurdi and Akure Divisions and presided over key appellate decisions.  She was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division. Her ascent to the Supreme Court on July 8, 2013, as the 5^th female to be elevated to that Court marked her entry into the highest court in Nigeria. Her work at the Supreme Court has shaped important legal precedents and Constitutional interpretations.

Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun is a prominent advocate for gender equality, through her membership of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and as the current President of the National Association of Women Judges Nigeria (NAWJN). She is also a Life Bencher, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI).

Before her appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, she acted as Deputy Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Chair of various NJC and NJI committees. Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun has also been instrumental in overseeing judicial appointments, promotions and the general administration of justice in Nigeria. Her leadership extends to the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, responsible for conferring the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun has received numerous honours and awards including the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in October 2022 and recently, Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON). Her awards from the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum and the Lagos State Judiciary, to name a few further highlight her exceptional contributions to law and justice.

Sworn in as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on August 23, 2024, and subsequently, as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 30, 2024, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun now leads the nation’s judiciary, bringing her decades of experience and a forward-thinking vision to the role. Her leadership is expected to drive the continued advancement and reform of Nigeria’s legal system, reinforcing her legacy as one of the most respected jurists in the country.

A well-rounded individual, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun has a passion for Information Technology and enjoys music, traveling, and reading novels. She is a devoted wife of a very supportive husband, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR and proud mother of children who are all excelling in their chosen fields.