The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed legal practitioners to discontinue the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.
Signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, the memo stated that the practice is inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within Nigeria’s apex court.
“I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the memo read.
The CJN directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence, court records, documents, identity materials and other formal engagements.
She also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the directive among officers under their supervision.
“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect,” the memo added.
The directive takes immediate effect and is expected to guide official communication and documentation involving legal practitioners within the Supreme Court.
