The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to discontinue the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court.
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated 13 July 2026 and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular stated that the directive takes immediate effect as part of efforts to uphold professionalism and maintain the standards expected within Nigeria’s apex court.
According to the memorandum:
“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.”
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The directive further instructs all affected officers to discontinue the use of the title “Barrister” in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and all other official engagements with immediate effect.
To ensure full compliance, Heads of Departments and Unit Heads have been directed to enforce the order among officers under their supervision.
The development comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education warned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before being formally called to the Nigerian Bar. The Council noted that such conduct undermines the dignity of the legal profession and could attract disciplinary action, stressing that legal regalia is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
