CJN Orders Lawyers to Stop Using ‘Barrister’ as Title in All Official Engagements, Says It’s Inappropriate

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed legal practitioners to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements, describing the practice as inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court.

The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.

The memo, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, conveyed the CJN’s directive, stating that the continued use of the title “Barrister” before names does not align with the professional standards of the 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 memorandum read.

Justice Kekere-Ekun directed all affected officers to discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and all other official engagements with immediate effect.

She also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the directive by all 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.