Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for increased representation of women in senior judicial positions, stressing that gender inclusion is essential to strengthening justice delivery and public confidence in the legal system.
She made the appeal during the opening of the International Association of Women Judges African Conference held in Abuja, where she emphasized that a more balanced judiciary would enhance fairness, broaden legal perspectives, and improve the quality of judicial decision-making.
According to the CJN, greater participation of women on the bench contributes meaningfully to justice administration by reducing bias, enriching legal reasoning, and improving institutional legitimacy. She noted that while progress has been made in gender representation at lower and mid-level judicial positions, more work is needed to ensure women are adequately represented in top leadership roles.
Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that gender equality in the judiciary goes beyond representation, describing it as a core requirement for maintaining public trust and strengthening the rule of law. She added that a judiciary that reflects societal diversity is better positioned to serve the public effectively.
She also highlighted the importance of mentorship and leadership development, urging senior judicial officers to support and guide younger professionals to ensure continuity and sustained institutional growth.
In her remarks, she noted that African judiciaries face shared challenges such as independence, efficiency, ethical leadership, and public trust, adding that collaboration through conferences like this remains vital for progress across the continent.
Also speaking at the event, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy and called for continued efforts to build a justice system that is transparent, fair, and accessible. She noted that women judges have played a key role in breaking barriers and advancing judicial development across Africa.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to judicial reforms that promote inclusivity, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, highlighted ongoing infrastructure support for the judiciary, including housing for judicial officers in Abuja.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, also emphasized the need for continued judicial excellence, gender equality, and regional collaboration among women judges, noting that the judiciary must adapt to modern legal and societal challenges while maintaining integrity and accountability.
The conference brought together senior judicial figures from across Africa, including heads of courts, Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeal judges, High Court judges, and representatives of legal institutions.
