Nigeria’s legal profession has welcomed 68 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), with Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, administering the oath of office to the newly elevated lawyers on Monday.
The ceremony, which formed part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year, brought together practitioners whose elevation recognises their standing within the country’s legal profession.
Among the recipients are 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, who received the prestigious rank in the academic category.
The elevations followed approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja in July.
The conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank is one of the most prominent professional distinctions in the Nigerian legal system. It recognises lawyers who have distinguished themselves through their professional practice, while the academic category provides a route for qualifying legal scholars to receive the honour.
For the newly elevated lawyers, the occasion represents a significant milestone in their careers. It also places them among a group of practitioners expected to uphold the standards associated with the rank.
Meet The 68 New Senior Advocates Of Nigeria
The 67 advocates were presented in order of seniority at the Bar, alongside Professor Obiaraeri, the sole recipient in the academic category.
The newly elevated advocates are:
- Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
- Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
- Godwill Achibong Umoh
- Sunday Samuel Obende
- Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
- Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
- Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
- Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
- Philemeon Audu Daffi
- Adenrele David Adegborioye
- James Eromosele Agbonhese
- Alexander Nduka Muoka
- Onome Okodiya
- Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
- Ikhide Ehighelua
- Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
- Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
- Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
- Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
- Odion Peter Odia
- Gbemiga Adaramola
- Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
- Charles Azubuike Obodozie
- Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
- Bimbo Felix Atilola
- Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
- Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
- Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
- Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
- Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
- Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
- Olujoke Enitan Aliu
- Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
- Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
- Faruk Abdullah
- Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
- Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
- Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
- Sabiu Gumba Adamu
- Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
- Soibi Ideriah Ovia
- Somina Peter Johnbull
- Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
- Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
- Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
- Junaidu Bello Marshall
- Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
- Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye
- Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
- Agba Eimunjeze
- Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
- Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
- Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle
- Umaru Yunusa
- Akorede Habeeb Lawal
- Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
- Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
- Kayode Orire Omosehin
- Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
- Bolu Agbaje Akadri
- Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
- Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
- Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
- Afees Hassan Adebayo
- Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
- Jonathan Akintola Makinde
- Olajide Salami
Academic category
- Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
A Prestigious Rank, But Also A Professional Responsibility
The SAN rank occupies a prominent place in Nigeria’s legal profession, distinguishing recipients who have met the applicable standards for elevation.
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However, the honour goes beyond the ceremony and the title that follows a lawyer’s name. It also carries expectations about professional conduct, legal advocacy and the administration of justice.
As the 2026/2027 legal year begins, the elevation of the 68 recipients adds a new group of senior practitioners and an academic to the ranks of those recognised by the Nigerian legal establishment.
Their next chapter will unfold not only in courtrooms and chambers but also in the broader work of maintaining public confidence in the legal system.
The ceremony therefore marks both a personal achievement for the recipients and a reminder of the responsibilities attached to one of the profession’s most respected distinctions.