Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun says the practice is “inappropriate and inconsistent” with the professional standards expected at the Supreme Court
ABUJA — The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed all lawyers and court officials to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements with the Supreme Court.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed through a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, 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 apex court.
Why the Ban?
According to the memorandum, the Chief Justice held that the continued use of “Barrister” as a prefix “is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria”.
The directive forms part of broader efforts to strengthen professionalism and standardise official documentation at Nigeria’s highest court.
What the Directive Covers
The memorandum explicitly states:
“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”.
To ensure full compliance, the Chief Justice also instructed heads of departments and unit heads across all tiers of courts in the country to enforce the directive among officers under their supervision.
Background: A Long-Standing Practice Under Scrutiny
The use of “Barrister” as a courtesy title prefixing lawyers’ names has long been popular in Nigeria, even though it is not officially recognised. For decades, the authorities in the legal profession, including the courts, had turned a blind eye to the practice, enabling it to gain wide acceptance.
The word “barrister” originates from Britain and simply means a lawyer competent to present a case before a court of law—it does not serve as a title. In Nigeria, lawyers are enrolled as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, reflecting the country’s fused legal profession, unlike England and Wales where the roles remain separate.
In all countries where lawyers practise as barristers, none envisages its use as a title. Lawyers commonly use the postnominal “Esq.” (Esquire) after their names as a professional courtesy, though this too has been adopted informally as an exclusive title for lawyers through long practice. Friday’s circular did not address the use of “Esq.”.
Previous Concerns from the Body of Benchers
The directive comes after the Body of Benchers, through its Chairman, HRM Albert Akpomuje, SAN, expressed concerns over the abusive use of the “Barrister” title by lawyers.
“The word ‘Barrister’ as a title has become very common, particularly among our political colleagues who want everybody to know they are lawyers—though not in active practice—by introducing themselves with the title ‘Barrister’ before their name,” the legal body stated during a Call-to-Bar ceremony held in Abuja recently.
“This is very wrong and unprofessional. A lawyer can address himself with his name but not ‘Barrister’ before the name. It is only in this country that we see some practitioners use ‘Barrister’ as a title before the name of a lawyer,” the Body of Benchers added.
Related Developments
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned 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 said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
NBA Acknowledges the Directive
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has acknowledged the memorandum and advised its members to take due note of the directive, particularly in all official engagements and correspondence at the Supreme Court.
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