Meet four women steering Nigeria’s top legal institutions

Nigeria’s legal profession has entered a historic phase, with four women now leading the country’s most influential legal institutions.

Their emergence marks one of the strongest representations of female leadership in Nigeria’s legal history, with the quartet overseeing the judiciary, legal education, appellate justice and the legal profession.

They are the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun; the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem; the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote; and the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN).

Together, they are shaping the future of legal education, justice administration and professional regulation in Africa’s most populous nation.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun: Chief Justice of Nigeria

Justice Kekere-Ekun became Nigeria’s Chief Justice in 2024, making history as one of the few women to occupy the country’s highest judicial office.

Born on May 7, 1958, in London, she obtained an LL.B. from the University of Lagos in 1980, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 and later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics in 1983.

She began her legal career in private practice before joining the Lagos State Judiciary as a magistrate.

She later rose to become a High Court judge, Justice of the Court of Appeal and, in 2013, one of the few women appointed to the Supreme Court.

As Chief Justice, Kekere-Ekun oversees the Supreme Court, the National Judicial Council and the administration of Nigeria’s judiciary.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem: President, Court of Appeal

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

A respected jurist with decades of judicial experience, she has presided over several significant appeals and is recognised for her contributions to judicial administration and appellate jurisprudence.

As head of the Court of Appeal, she supervises appellate courts across the country and plays a key role in election petition appeals and other major constitutional matters.

Dr Olugbemisola Odusote: First female Director-General of the Nigerian Law School

In January 2026, President Bola Tinubu appointed Dr Titilayo Odusote as the first female Director-General of the Nigerian Law School since its establishment in 1962.

Her appointment marked a milestone for legal education in Nigeria.

An alumna of Obafemi Awolowo University, she obtained both her LL.B. and LL.M. in Company and Commercial Law before earning a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom.

Odusote joined the Nigerian Law School as a lecturer in 2001 and rose through the ranks to become Head of Academics and later Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus before her appointment as Director-General.

She now oversees the institution responsible for the vocational training of prospective lawyers before they are called to the Nigerian Bar.

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya: NBA’s second female president

Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) was elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association on July 19, 2026 after securing 12,317 votes.

She became the 33rd president of the association and only the second woman to lead the NBA since its establishment in 1933.

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.

Her career has spanned private legal practice, public sector reforms and extensive service within the NBA at both branch and national levels.

In a statement following her election, she pledged to strengthen the association, support young lawyers, improve welfare and uphold the rule of law.