The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed legal practitioners and court officials to stop using “Barrister” as a title prefix before their names in all official engagements involving the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The CJN described the long-standing practice as inappropriate, saying the use of “Barrister” as a prefix is inconsistent with the high standards of professionalism expected within the nation’s apex court.
The directive was contained in an official memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and made public on Friday, July 31, 2026.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular ordered the immediate discontinuation of the use of “Barrister” as a title prefix in all official dealings with the Supreme Court.
According to the memorandum, the Chief Justice directed that the title should no longer be used before the names of legal practitioners in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity materials and every other formal engagement with the Supreme Court.
The memorandum stated:
“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.”
It further directed:
“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 strict compliance, the Chief Justice instructed Heads of Departments and Unit Heads across the court to enforce the directive among officers under their supervision.
The circular added:
“Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive affects the use of the title “Barrister” in official legal correspondence, court records and processes, legal documents, professional identity cards and credentials, as well as all other formal interactions and appearances before the Supreme Court.
Although the designation “Barrister” has been widely used as a title prefix by Nigerian lawyers for decades, it does not enjoy formal statutory recognition as an honorific. Under the Nigerian legal system, lawyers are called to the Bar as “Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.” However, legal scholars and administrators have consistently maintained that “barrister” denotes a professional qualification and role rather than a title to precede a person’s name.
By convention, legal practitioners are formally addressed using standard honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Chief or Dr., with the postnominal “Esq.” (Esquire) appearing after their full names.
The CJN’s directive comes shortly after the Council of Legal Education warned law students and prospective Bar candidates against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before being formally called to the Bar.
Legal observers believe the Supreme Court’s position could prompt federal and state high courts across the country to adopt similar measures in order to standardise professional forms of address within the Nigerian judiciary.
