Women are continuing to make remarkable strides in Nigeria’s legal profession, breaking barriers and attaining some of the country’s highest judicial and legal leadership positions.
Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed several historic milestones, including the appointment of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar as the country’s first female Chief Justice and Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa as the first woman to serve as President of the Court of Appeal.
Legal experts have consistently argued that greater female representation in the judiciary strengthens the justice system by promoting diversity, accountability and broader perspectives in judicial decision-making.
Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson recently emphasised that increasing the number of women in the judiciary is not simply about gender balance but is essential to enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of the justice system.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has also expressed concern over the limited number of women occupying top leadership positions within the judiciary, despite the growing number of female legal practitioners across the country.
Among the women currently shaping Nigeria’s legal landscape is Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who became the country’s second female Chief Justice in August 2024 and the first woman from Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone to hold the office. She holds law degrees from the University of Lagos and the London School of Economics.
Another prominent figure is Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who has served as President of the Court of Appeal since 2020. She studied law at Ahmadu Bello University and later completed postgraduate studies in London.
In 2026, Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote made history by becoming the first woman appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Law School since the institution was established in 1962. She is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and also holds a doctorate in law from the University of Surrey.
Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya was elected President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), making her only the second woman in the association’s history to attain the office after Priscilla Kuye.
Badejo-Okusanya, who began her legal career after being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2025 and is expected to be inaugurated as NBA President during the association’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.
The achievements of these legal professionals continue to highlight the growing influence of women in Nigeria’s justice sector, even as stakeholders advocate for greater gender inclusion in leadership positions.
