Top Justice Bans Lawyers From Using 'Barrister' Title In Landmark Legal Shake-Up

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a comprehensive directive requiring all lawyers and court personnel to immediately cease using the title “Barrister” before their names in all official engagements and correspondence with the Supreme Court. This significant decision, aiming to reinforce professionalism and uphold the rigorous standards expected within the nation’s apex court, applies to a broad spectrum of individuals interacting officially with the Supreme Court.

The directive was formally communicated through a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by Kabir Akanbi, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court. The memo explicitly states that the use of “Barrister” as a prefix is deemed inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional benchmarks maintained by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that this practice does not align with the desired level of professionalism in official processes.

Affected parties include litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars, and all lawyers conducting official business with the Supreme Court. They are now mandated to discontinue the use of the “Barrister” title in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements, with immediate effect. To ensure strict adherence, Justice Kekere-Ekun has also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to actively monitor and guarantee compliance among their supervised officers.

Notably, the circular from the Chief Justice did not address the use of the postnominal “Esq.” (Esquire), a common designation used by lawyers after their names. This directive from the Supreme Court follows recent warnings issued by the Council of Legal Education. Weeks prior, the Council cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing legal wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified practitioners before being formally called to the Nigerian Bar. The Council underscored that only lawyers who have been duly called to the Bar, in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, are authorized to wear legal regalia, with violations potentially leading to disciplinary action. Both directives collectively signal a concerted effort to enforce strict professional conduct and adherence to established legal protocols within Nigeria’s judicial system.