Nigeria’s Chief Judge orders lawyers to drop ‘Barrister’ title

 

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), has directed legal practitioners to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements.

The directive, conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, was addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.

According to the memo signed by Kabir Akanbi, chief registrar of the supreme court, the CJN described the practice as inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the apex court.

“I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the memo reads.

The CJN directed all affected officers to discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and other official engagements with immediate effect.

She also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the directive by officers under their supervision.

“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect,” the memo added.