BREAKING: CJN bans Nigerian lawyers from using ‘Barrister’ title with immediate effect

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and tribunal officials to instantly halt utilizing the rubric “Barrister” earlier their names successful each authoritative dealings with the Supreme Court.

The directive, which takes contiguous effect, was issued arsenic portion of efforts to fortify professionalism and standardise authoritative documentation astatine the nation’s apex court.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the signifier was inconsistent with the nonrecreational standards expected successful the Supreme Court.

The directive applies to litigation staff, ineligible practitioners, tribunal registrars and each lawyers conducting authoritative concern with the apex court.

The determination was conveyed successful a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.

According to the circular, the Chief Justice held that the continued usage of “Barrister” arsenic a prefix does not align with the level of professionalism the Supreme Court seeks to uphold successful its authoritative processes.

“Consequently, each officers acrophobic are hereby directed to discontinue the usage of the rubric ‘Barrister’ earlier their names successful each authoritative correspondence, records, documents, individuality materials, and immoderate other...