68 Lawyers Become Senior Advocates of Nigeria: What to Know
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has sworn in 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).
The ceremony took place at the Supreme Court on Monday, October 12, 2026, as part of activities marking the commencement of the court’s new legal year.
The new recipients comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, according to TheCable.
The SAN rank recognises legal practitioners who have distinguished themselves through courtroom advocacy or contributions to legal scholarship.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kekere-Ekun reminded the recipients that the honour comes with greater responsibilities.
She urged them to uphold the dignity of the profession and serve as examples to younger lawyers.
What is the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank?
Senior Advocate of Nigeria is one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession.
The rank recognises exceptional achievement in legal practice or scholarship. It is awarded to qualified lawyers and academics who meet the established requirements.
Recipients are often referred to as members of the Inner Bar, while other lawyers are described as members of the Outer Bar.
However, the title is more than a mark of professional success. It also places expectations on recipients to maintain high standards of conduct and contribute to the development of the legal profession.
What the CJN told the new SANs
Kekere-Ekun urged the new Senior Advocates to approach their elevation with humility and a strong sense of duty.
She said the rank was not merely a recognition of professional success but also a call to leadership.
The CJN noted that younger members of the profession would look to the new SANs for guidance, both in their legal practice and their conduct.
She therefore urged them to carry the title with dignity and responsibility.
Full list of the 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria
The 67 advocates elevated to the rank are:
- Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
- Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
- Godwill Achibong Umoh
- Sunday Samuel Obende
- Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
- Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
- Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
- Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
- Philemeon Audu Daffi
- Adenrele David Adegborioye
- James Eromosele Agbonhese
- Alexander Nduka Muoka
- Onome Okodiya
- Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
- Ikhide Ehighelua
- Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
- Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
- Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
- Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
- Odion Peter Odia
- Gbemiga Adaramola
- Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
- Charles Azubuike Obodozie
- Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
- Bimbo Felix Atilola
- Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
- Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
- Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
- Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
- Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
- Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
- Olujoke Enitan Aliu
- Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
- Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
- Faruk Abdullah
- Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
- Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
- Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
- Sabiu Gumba Adamu
- Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
- Soibi Ideriah Ovia
- Somina Peter Johnbull
- Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
- Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
- Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
- Junaidu Bello Marshall
- Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
- Adebiyi Alaba Adetosoye
- Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
- Agba Eimunjeze
- Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
- Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
- Olamide Mojigbotoluwa Adekunle
- Umaru Yunusa
- Akorede Habeeb Lawal
- Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
- Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
- Kayode Orire Omosehin
- Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
- Bolu Agbaje Akadri
- Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
- Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
- Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
- Afees Hassan Adebayo
- Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
- Jonathan Akintola Makinde
- Olajide Salami
The sole academic appointed to the rank is Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.
What the new SANs’ elevation means
The elevation places the recipients among the lawyers and academics recognised for distinction in Nigeria’s legal profession.
It also comes with expectations of professional integrity, leadership and service to the justice system.
For the new SANs, the challenge now extends beyond the recognition itself. They are expected to uphold the standards associated with the rank and help strengthen public confidence in the legal profession.