In a ceremony held on Monday at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, formally swore in 57 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
Among the newly elevated was Adedayo Adesina — a respected legal practitioner, reform advocate, and co-founder of Oyewole & Adesina — known for his outstanding contributions to advocacy, judicial reform, and public service.
Speaking at the special court session that also marked the beginning of the 2025/2026 Legal Year, Justice Kekere-Ekun described the rank of SAN as one that demands reflection, responsibility, and a renewed dedication to justice.
“This occasion is not merely a celebration of time passing,” she said, “but a call to take stock, reflect on our challenges and achievements, and recommit ourselves to the ideals of justice, fairness, and service to the Nigerian people.”
She reminded the new SANs that the rank comes with high expectations and warned that the title could be withdrawn if misused.
During the ceremony, Justice Kekere-Ekun also paid tribute to four prominent jurists who passed away during the last legal year — including former Chief Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and three retired Supreme Court justices. She praised their lifelong commitment to justice and extended condolences to their families.
The Chief Justice also outlined several key reforms within the judiciary over the past year:
Case Backlog & Discipline: All pending petitions before the National Judicial Council (NJC) were addressed, with necessary sanctions applied and unjustly accused individuals cleared. A petitioner known for filing serial frivolous claims was barred from further submissions, and errant lawyers were referred to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
Court Modernization: Court records have been digitized, and a new Records Processing Unit established to help eliminate the problem of missing case files.
Access to Justice: New systems, including a Central Information Unit and Case Continuation Unit, have made it easier for lawyers and litigants to track the progress of cases.
Digital Reforms: The Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) is ready for nationwide implementation, enabling e-filing of appeals and reducing delays.
Automation of Services: The Supreme Court’s Notary Public Unit is now fully automated, with a centralized Electronic Notary Register (ENR).
Welfare Improvements: Judicial staff saw timely payment of salaries and allowances, with better welfare packages and cooperation with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) helping to prevent strikes.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also reported that the Supreme Court heard 2,280 matters during the year — including 560 appeals — and delivered 369 judgments, a notable increase from the previous year’s 247.
On the fight against corruption, she highlighted the ongoing work of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO), which collaborated with agencies like the EFCC — responsible for 1,417 convictions in 2025 — and the ICPC, which secured nine convictions from 43 new cases.
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About Adedayo Adesina
Adedayo Adesina hails from Ogbomosho in Oyo State and was born in Kano to the late Engr. Gbadebo Timothy Adesina and Mrs. Funmilayo Oluwatoyin Adesina. He graduated top of his class from the University of Jos in 2008 and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year. He later earned a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance Law from the University of London.
Over a 15-year career, Adesina has worked with some of Nigeria’s top law firms — including Dele Olaniyan & Co., Templars, and Wole Olanipekun & Co. — before co-founding Oyewole & Adesina, where he now serves as Managing Partner.
He was instrumental in several reform initiatives under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). His contributions include drafting the landmark Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 and helping to design Practice Directions for Small Claims Courts in multiple states — measures that have greatly improved access to justice and streamlined business litigation.
Adesina’s reform work has earned him national recognition, including praise from former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Beyond his practice, he remains committed to mentoring young lawyers and writing on corporate governance, finance law, and legal reform.
He is a Notary Public, a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, and an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), and the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN).
To celebrate his elevation, a reception will be held in his honour at Centre Point Event Centre in Maitama, Abuja. The event is expected to draw high-profile guests, including Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Chairman of the Body of SANs, Prof. Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN; and NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
Adedayo’s elevation — alongside 56 others — is widely seen as a recognition of outstanding merit and a strong contribution to Nigeria’s legal profession and justice system.
