The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has rejected the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, asking lawyers to stop using “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in official engagements at the Supreme Court. The society argued that the directive has no clear basis in existing legislation.
The controversy followed a July 13, 2026 memorandum signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, on the instruction of the CJN. The memo directed legal practitioners and court officials to discontinue using “Barrister” before their names in official correspondence, records, documents and other engagements.
The memorandum suggested “Esquire” as an alternative. However, the NLS said the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962 recognises “Barrister” and “Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria” in relation to lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar, while “Esquire” is not expressly provided for in the same legislation.
The NLS therefore questioned the legal authority for prohibiting the term, arguing that neither the CJN, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee nor the Nigerian Bar Association could impose requirements on lawyers that are not expressly contained in the governing law.
The position has sparked debate within the legal profession. Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria have backed the directive, arguing that “Barrister” has never been a freestanding professional title under Nigerian law and that its use as a prefix is inconsistent with professional standards.
The disagreement has therefore opened a wider debate over professional titles, statutory authority and accepted conventions within Nigeria’s legal profession.
