President Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After Brief Work Stay in France

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria following a brief three-day work stay in France. The President's arrival was marked by the touchdown of his Airbus A330 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at approximately 2:25 am on Friday. The President had initially departed Abuja for France on Monday for what was described by the presidency as a "brief work stay." Although the specific reasons and duration of the visit were not disclosed, the presidency had assured that Tinubu would return promptly. The President's return was necessitated by an important national duty—the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the State House Council Chambers. This event follows the National Judicial Council's (NJC) recommendation of Justice Kekere-Ekun to succeed the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired upon reaching the mandatory age of 70.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will take the oath of office as the acting CJN, pending her confirmation by the Senate. At 66, she is expected to serve in this esteemed role until her retirement in 2028.

In a statement acknowledging Justice Ariwoola's retirement, President Tinubu commended his over three decades of dedicated public service, particularly his contributions to the nation's judiciary. Ariwoola, who became the CJN in 2022, had previously served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in various divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011. Justice Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in ceremony is set to take place at 11 am on Friday, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria's judiciary under her leadership.