Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on August 22, 2024, reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Justice Ariwoola, who was confirmed as CJN by the Senate in October 2022, had served on the Supreme Court since 2011. His retirement comes with a strong call for judicial reforms to alleviate the Supreme Court’s heavy caseload. In a valedictory session at the Supreme Court in Abuja, Ariwoola stressed the need for reforms to expedite the resolution of cases and improve the fairness of hearings.
He advocated for the appointment of additional judicial officers to ensure cases are adjudicated in a timely manner, reflecting on the need for better case management at the appellate level.
Justice Ariwoola’s tenure as CJN began in June 2022, following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad due to health issues. As he steps down, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the next CJN. If approved, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become Nigeria’s second female Chief Justice, following Maryam Mukhtar who served from July 2012 to November 2014.
This transition highlights a significant moment for the Nigerian judiciary as it moves to address the challenges emphasized by the outgoing CJN.