President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter presented during Tuesday, September 24, plenary session.

Justice Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the Acting Chief Justice since August following Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s retirement. President Tinubu had previously sworn her in on an interim basis.

In his letter, Tinubu cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the president to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, pending Senate approval. The president expressed confidence in her nomination and urged the Senate to act swiftly.

“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval,” Tinubu stated in his message to the lawmakers.

Senate President Akpabio has referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation, which is expected to take place on Wednesday.

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation is anticipated to be a key decision for the judicial system under Tinubu’s administration.

This development highlights Tinubu’s determination to stabilise the judiciary’s leadership by confirming Kekere-Ekun, who has already been steering the apex court’s affairs in an acting capacity.