Nigeria’s Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has approved 68 lawyers for promotion to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the country’s highest legal distinction for practicing attorneys and academics.
The decision was made during the committee’s 174th plenary session in Abuja on Thursday, chaired by Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Kabir Akanbi, the Supreme Court’s chief registrar and LPPC secretary, confirmed the appointments and stated the new Senior Advocates will be sworn in on October 12, 2026.
The 68 appointees include 67 practicing lawyers and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri. Among them are Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Godwill Achibong Umoh, Sunday Samuel Obende, Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John and Olaotan Thomas Olusegun. Others include Philemeon Audu Daffi, Adenrele David Adegborioye, James Eromosele Agbonhese, Alexander Nduka Muoka, Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye, Ikhide Ehighelua, Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe and Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun.
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The list also includes 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 and Igonikon Abiola Adekunle. Other successful candidates are 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 and Sabiu Gumba Adamu.
The remaining appointees include 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 Adetosoye, Sulyman Ibrahim and Agba Eimunjeze. Others are Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande, Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi, Olamide Mojigbotoluwa 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 and Olajide Salami.
Before the formal conferment, all 68 must complete a mandatory induction program. The LPPC has not yet announced the date for this session.
The committee issued a strict warning: no congratulatory messages, advertisements, or goodwill notices about the appointments may be published. Violations could result in sanctions under the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct.
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The SAN rank is awarded to lawyers who show exceptional professional performance, whether through courtroom advocacy or contributions to legal education.
The tradition began in 1975, when the first Senior Advocates were appointed. Since then, the rank has become a symbol of prestige within Nigeria’s legal community.
Until then, they must wait in silence.