Queen’s College Old Girls Pay Tribute to CJN Kekere-Ekun’s Life of Service
A proud celebration of sisterhood, legacy, and a life shaped by discipline, excellence, and service.
On behalf of the classmates and the wider community of Old Girls of Queen’s College Lagos, heartfelt birthday wishes are extended to Justice Kudirat Tokunbo Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria, in celebration of a life defined by purpose, discipline and enduring impact.
On behalf of her classmates at Queen’s College Lagos—across generations, professions and continents—we celebrate our dear sister, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tokunbo Kudirat Kekere-Ekun our darling “Toks”on this birthday anniversary.
Drawn from across generations—those active and retired, at home and in the diaspora—we stand united in honour of our dear sister, whose journey continues to reflect the values instilled in us during our formative years at Queen’s College: integrity, excellence, and a steadfast sense of duty. Drawn from those active and retired, at home and in the diaspora, we stand united in honour of a life defined by discipline, service and distinction
We pray that Almighty Allah grants her long life, sound health and a successful tenure at the helm of Nigeria’s judiciary.
As products of the same formative foundation that instilled integrity, excellence and duty, we are confident she will continue to uphold the law with courage and deliver judgments that serve the best interest of Nigeria.
With pride in her journey and faith in her stewardship, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and unwavering support as she continues to shape the course of justice in our nation.
The first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos
Former Head of Service of Lagos State
Former Secretary to the Government of Lagos State
Thoracic Dr Toyin Shonukan, Medical Oncologist (USA) and Founder and President, Yemanja Cancer Care Initiative, a US nonprofit with activities in Nigeria. Oncologist (USA) and Founder of Yemanja Cancer Care Initiative, Ogun State
Retired Permanent Secretary
Ogun State
Bicentennial Chair of Palliative Care, University of South Bend, Indiana
Retired as Managing Director, Cardinalstone Registrars
After almost three decades of banking experience, retired at top management back home to Calabar into community work
Retired Director, CBN
Retired Director, Hospital Services
Federal Ministry of Health
![Dr. Funmi Chirnside, Royal Navy UK. [Retired]](http://headlinenews.news/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG-20260507-WA0070.jpg)
Hajiya Ummu Maman Daura.
Mrs Funmi Dele Giwa.
Mrs. Rita Chris- Garuba
Mrs Tosin Obisesan
Mrs Ayo Sokoye Ademoyero.
Mrs. Adejoke Kavodel- Uthman
Mrs Aimalohi Akporiaye
Mrs. Simidele Adesanya
Founded in 1927, Queen’s College Lagos stands as one of Nigeria’s most enduring symbols of female education, leadership grooming, and elite academic tradition.
Established during the colonial era as the first government secondary school for girls in Nigeria, the institution was designed not merely to educate, but to shape a generation of women capable of influencing governance, society, and national development.
Nearly a century on, that founding vision has not only endured—it has multiplied in impact.
From its early cohort of just a handful of students, Queen’s College has grown into a powerhouse institution with thousands of alumnae spread across Nigeria and the global stage. Its location in Lagos—Nigeria’s intellectual and innovation corridor—places it at the intersection of history and modernity, reinforcing its relevance across generations.
The numbers tell part of the story. Over 95 years of continuous operation, the college has produced an extensive network of women who have gone on to shape Nigeria’s judiciary, civil service, academia, diplomacy, business, and media. Among its alumnae are ministers, permanent secretaries, legal luminaries, corporate leaders, and cultural influencers—women who have not only broken barriers but institutionalised excellence.
But beyond statistics, Queen’s College represents something more strategic: a sustained investment in nation-building through female education. Long before gender inclusion became global policy language, the college was already executing it at scale. It created an ecosystem where discipline, intellectual rigour, and moral grounding were not optional extras, but core expectations.
Its legacy also speaks to a broader national truth—when educational institutions are built with clarity of purpose and protected over time, they become pipelines of leadership. Queen’s College is a case study in this continuity. The “Queen’s College girl” is not just a student identity; it is a brand associated with confidence, articulation, resilience, and institutional memory.
Yet, like many legacy public institutions in Nigeria, the college has faced periods of strain—ranging from infrastructure pressures to evolving academic demands in a digital age. These challenges, however, do not diminish its stature; rather, they underscore the urgency of reinvestment. If anything, institutions with this level of historical capital deserve modern upgrades that match their legacy output.
As Nigeria continues to confront questions around governance quality, leadership pipeline, and social cohesion, Queen’s College offers a quiet but powerful reminder: the answers often begin in classrooms.
Approaching its centenary, the college is not merely marking time—it is standing as proof that when you educate a girl with intention, you don’t just change a life; you shape a nation.
In essence, Queen’s College Lagos is not just a school. It is an institution of consequence.
Few institutions in Nigeria can match Queen’s College Lagos in producing outstanding women—figures who have not only excelled, but defined leadership across generations.
Gloria Ameeda Fraser. MFR.
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