The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel 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 July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
The circular, addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, stated that the directive takes immediate effect as part of measures to uphold professionalism at the nation’s apex court.
The Chief Justice maintained that the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to names is inappropriate and does not conform to the professional standards expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The directive also requires all affected officers to stop using the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and every other official engagement with immediate effect.
The memorandum further directed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the directive by officers under their supervision.
The development comes days after the Council of Legal Education warned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council had cautioned that such conduct undermines the dignity of the legal profession and could attract disciplinary measures, stressing that legal regalia is reserved exclusively for duly qualified legal practitioners in line with the Rules of Professional Conduct.