Chief justice of Nigeria

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 current chief justice is Olukayode Ariwoola who was appointed on 27 June 2022. He was appointed acting chief justice of the Federation upon the resignation of incumbent chief justice Tanko Muhammad, he was confirmed chief justice by the Nigerian Senate on 21 September 2022. The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the highest court in Nigeria and its decisions are final. The chief justice of Nigeria is nominated by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon recommendation by the National Judicial Council and is subject to confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The CJN holds office at the pleasure of the Nigerian constitution and can only be removed from office by death or on attainment of age 70 whichever occurs first or by impeachment by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which requires a super majority of the members of the Nigerian Senate.

List of chief justices
The following is a complete list of chief justices.

List of previous chief justices

 * Lagos (1863–1929)
 * Benjamin Way (?–1866)
 * John Carr (1866–?) (West African Settlements Supreme Court)
 * George French (1867–1874)
 * James Marshall (1874–1886)
 * Sir John Salman Smith (1886–1895)
 * Sir Thomas Crossley Rayner (1895–1902)
 * Sir William Nicholl (1902–1908)


 * Northern Nigeria
 * Alastair Davidson (1900–1901)
 * Henry Cowper Gollan (1901–1905)
 * Sir M R Menendez (1905–1908)
 * Sir Edwin Speed (1908–1913)


 * Southern Nigeria
 * Henry Green Kelly (1900–1902)
 * Willoughby Osborne (1906–1913)