THE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court.
News Point Nigeria reports that the directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular stated that the order takes immediate effect as part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum, sighted by PUNCH Online on Friday, read: “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 circular further directed all affected officers to immediately discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
It stated: “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 implementation of the directive, the Chief Justice also instructed supervisory officers to enforce strict compliance across all departments and units of the Supreme Court.
The memorandum 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 comes just 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 had warned that such conduct undermines the dignity of the legal profession and could attract disciplinary measures against offenders.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is strictly reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners.
