Meet the Four Women Now Holding the Biggest Positions in Nigeria’s Legal Profession

• Nigeria’s Legal Profession – Nigeria has reached a historic milestone as four women now head the country’s most powerful legal institutions.

Nigeria has entered a historic era in its legal profession, with four women now occupying the highest offices across the country’s most influential legal institutions.

From the Supreme Court to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Court of Appeal and the Nigerian Law School, these women are shaping the future of justice, legal education and the administration of law in Nigeria.

Their appointments and elections mark one of the strongest displays of female leadership in the nation’s legal history, highlighting the growing influence of women in positions that were once dominated by men.

Here are the four women currently holding the biggest positions in Nigeria’s legal profession:

1. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun – Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is Nigeria’s Chief Justice and the highest-ranking judicial officer in the country.

She assumed office in 2024 after decades of distinguished service within the judiciary.

As Chief Justice, she heads the Supreme Court of Nigeria, chairs the National Judicial Council (NJC) and oversees the administration of the nation’s judiciary.

Born on May 7, 1958, in London, she studied Law at the University of Lagos before obtaining a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the London School of Economics.

She began her legal career in private practice before joining the Lagos State Judiciary, where she rose from Magistrate to High Court Judge, Court of Appeal Justice and later became a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2013.

Today, she occupies the highest judicial office in Nigeria and is responsible for leading the country’s judiciary.

2. Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem – President of the Court of Appeal

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem serves as the President of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria’s second-highest court.

She supervises the Court of Appeal divisions across the country and plays a critical role in determining election petitions, constitutional disputes and other major appeals.

Widely respected for her decades of judicial experience, Justice Dongban-Mensem has presided over several landmark cases and remains one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s justice system.

Her position places her at the centre of many of the country’s most important legal decisions.

3. Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote – Director-General, Nigerian Law School

Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote made history in January 2026 when she became the first woman ever appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Law School since the institution was established in 1962.

Her appointment by President Bola Tinubu marked a major milestone for legal education in Nigeria.

Dr. Odusote obtained both her LL.B. and LL.M. degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University before earning a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

She joined the Nigerian Law School as a lecturer in 2001 and steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Head of Academics and later Deputy Director-General before becoming the institution’s chief executive.

As Director-General, she oversees the training and professional education of every prospective lawyer before they are called to the Nigerian Bar.

4. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) – President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, became the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association after winning the NBA presidential election on July 19, 2026.

She secured 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the total votes cast, defeating fellow Senior Advocates of Nigeria Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro.

Her victory makes her only the second woman to lead the Nigerian Bar Association after Priscilla Kuye, who served as NBA President between 1991 and 1992.

Badejo-Okusanya studied English and Law at the University of Lagos before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.

She was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2025 and has built an impressive career in private legal practice, justice sector reforms and leadership within the NBA.

Following her election, she pledged to improve lawyers’ welfare, strengthen the NBA, support young legal practitioners and continue defending the rule of law.

A Historic Milestone

With Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun leading the judiciary, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem heading the Court of Appeal, Dr. Olugbemisola Odusote overseeing legal education, and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya leading Nigeria’s largest legal association, women now occupy four of the most powerful positions in Nigeria’s legal profession.

Their emergence represents more than a symbolic achievement. It marks a defining moment for gender representation and reflects the growing role of women in shaping the future of Nigeria’s justice system.