Kekere-Ekun: Appointment of Judges Now More Transparent 

 Alex Enumah in Abuja 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said that the process for the appointment of judges in the country is becoming more open and transparent. 

A statement by the media aide to the CJN, Mr. Tobi Soniyi, said Kekere-Ekun made the above observation while presenting a paper, titled: ‘Innovations in judicial practice: Embracing change for a better future,’ at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association Triennial Conference held in Banjul, capital of The Gambia.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 108th meeting held between April 29 and 30, had approved a landmark policy to publish the names of candidates under consideration for appointment as judicial officers, while at the same time inviting the public for contribution.

Meanwhile, Kekere-Ekun, who is also the chairman of the NJC, in her presentation, told the gathering that the policy adopted by the NJC was to introduce an additional layer of transparency into the process of appointing judges.

The move, according to the CJN, is to ensure that members of the public and other relevant stakeholders are able to raise objections, provide information, or endorse nominees before appointments are finalized. 

She also said that the move is a deliberate effort to strengthen accountability, enhance public trust, and align Nigeria’s appointment procedures more closely with international best practices, including those recommended in the Constitution Hill Guidelines.

The Constitution Hill Global Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments, published in September 2024, provide globally for a set of baseline principles tailored to the singular role of apex courts as the final arbiters of constitutional interpretation and guardians of democratic governance.

Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that members of the public are already taking advantage of the initiative as shown in the last exercise for the appointment of judicial officers conducted by the NJC. 

“In a plural society such as Nigeria, with over 200 million citizens across different ethnic, religious and linguistic identities, the visibility of diversity on the Supreme Court bench strengthens public confidence and assures citizens that the judiciary reflects the society it serves,” the statement quoted the CJN as saying.

Kekere-Ekun however admitted that there are still some challenges, despite several efforts to strengthen the appointment of judicial officers, adding that some of the challenges include executive delays in acting on recommendations for appointments made by the NJC, which, she said, could impair the court’s capacity to sit at full strength.

Other challenges, she added, include the requirement for security vetting and the interpretation of federal character requirements, which often sparks debate about whether merit is being compromised for inclusivity.

The CJN however assured the audience, among whom were Chief Justices of Commonwealth countries, that Nigeria will continue to appoint to the bench only people who satisfy constitutional, professional and ethical standards.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, while in The Gambia, also visited the Nigeria High Commission in Banjul, where she was received by the chargé d’affaires, Muhammed Mainasara Usma; Head of Chancery, Amali Musa and other members of staff of the commission.

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    MHCDI Spelling Bee Boosts Confidence, Literacy in FCT

    MHCDI Spelling Bee Boosts Confidence, Literacy in FCT

    The 2025 Inter-School Spelling Bee Competition, hosted by My Hero Community Development Initiative (MHCDI), has ended in Abuja, sparking renewed advocacy for enhanced investment in educational programs that foster literacy, self-confidence, and resilience among public school students.

    At the grand finale, Haiya Rahmatu Nusa K, Director of the Junior Secondary Schools Department at the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), praised MHCDI for creating a vital platform that motivates and nurtures academic excellence in young learners.

    She noted that the competition, which unfolded in two phases and featured 270 students from nine junior secondary schools in the FCT, promoted “academic excellence, resilience, and love for learning” among participants.

    Rahmatu described the scholarships and prizes awarded to the winners as a priceless investment in the future of the students.

    “The award of one-year scholarships to the best three students from each school, as well as an additional scholarship year to the overall winner, reflects the generosity and vision of the sponsors,” she said.

    Government Secondary School (GSS) Garki emerged overall champion, winning N300,000 and a tablet, while GSS Wuse Zone 3 clinched second place with N200,000 and a tablet. The third position went to another participating school, with the winner receiving N150,000 and a tablet.

    She urged all participants to see themselves as winners, regardless of who took the top prizes. “By participating, you have challenged yourselves, gained new knowledge, and set a standard that others will aspire to,” she told the students.

    In her remarks, the Programme Director of MHCDI, Damilola Fagbohun, said the initiative was more than just a spelling competition but a celebration of knowledge, courage, and determination.

    She explained that the project began with in-school spelling sessions earlier in the year, where students discovered their strengths and built the confidence to compete at the inter-school level.

    “The competition is not just about words; it’s about building confidence, nurturing literacy, promoting healthy competition, and proving that our public school students are just as intelligent and deserving of opportunities as any other student anywhere in the world,” Fagbohun stated.

    She praised the support of teachers, parents, and partners, noting that their encouragement fuels the aspirations of young learners. “By virtue of being here today, every student is already a champion. You inspire us, you make us proud, and you remind us that the future of Nigeria is bright,” she added.

    The competition ended with scholarships, cash prizes, and tablets awarded to outstanding performers, while participating schools were celebrated for their courage and determination.

    The initiative was supported by partners including LaserCards, Kairos Hof, Kairos Hof Energy, and the Bank of Industry.

    ​  

    The 2025 Inter-School Spelling Bee Competition, hosted by My Hero Community Development Initiative (MHCDI), has ended in Abuja, sparking renewed advocacy for enhanced investment in educational programs that foster literacy,

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