By Bukola Hameed
The Chief Justice of Nigeria or CJN is the head of the judicial arm of the government of Nigeria, and presides over the country’s Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council.
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 confirmed Justice Tanko Muhammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad is the 17th Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Below is a list of Past Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN) as listed by the NJC:
Hon. Justice Stafford Foster Sutton from 1955-1958
Hon. Justice Adetokunbo Ademola KBE, GCON, from 1958–1972
Hon. Justice Taslim Olawale Elias CFR, GCON, from 1972–1975
Hon. Justice Darnley Arthur Alexander CBE, KCMG, CFR, GCON, from 1975–1979
Hon. Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams CON, GCON, from 1979–1983
Hon. Justice George Sodeinde Sowemimo CON, GCON, from 1983–1985
Hon. Justice Ayo Gabriel lrikefe OFR, CON, GCON, from 1985–1987
Hon. Justice Muhammed Bello CON, GCON, from 1987–1995
Hon. Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais CON, GCON, from 1995–2006
Hon. Justice Salisu Modibo Alfa Belgore CON, GCON, from 2006–2007
Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi CON, GCON, from 2007–2009
Hon. Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu CON, GCON, from 2009–2011
Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher CON, CFR, FNIALS, GCON, from 2011–2012
Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar CON, CFR, FNIALS, GCON, from 2012–2014
Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed CON, GCON, from 2014–2016
Hon. Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, from 2016-2019
Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR, from 2019 – 2022.