Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has directed lawyers, court officials and other legal personnel to stop using the title "Barrister" before their names in all official engagements with the Supreme Court, describing the practice as incompatible with the professional standards expected at the apex court.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was communicated in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. It applies to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and all lawyers conducting official business with the nation's highest court.
According to the circular, the Chief Justice said the continued use of the title does not reflect the level of professionalism the Supreme Court seeks to maintain in its official processes. “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 stated.
The new policy requires all affected officers and legal practitioners to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity materials and every other form of official interaction involving the Supreme Court. The circular also instructed departmental and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the directive among personnel under their supervision.
Reinforcing the order, the memo added: “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 move is among the latest administrative reforms introduced under Justice Kekere-Ekun's leadership of the judiciary and reflects a broader effort to strengthen professionalism and uniformity in official court communications.
Traditionally, the term "Barrister" refers to a lawyer qualified to appear before superior courts. However, in Nigeria, every lawyer called to the Bar is enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court, making the designation part of their professional qualification rather than a mandatory official title.
While many legal practitioners have continued to use "Barrister" as a courtesy prefix in correspondence and public engagements, others prefer to identify themselves with their names and recognised professional or academic distinctions, such as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), PhD or other qualifications. The latest directive is expected to standardise official documentation and ensure consistency in dealings with the Supreme Court.