President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the new acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The swearing-in was performed on Monday at the State House following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad, who cited ill-health as the reason for his decision.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; and some Justices of the Supreme Court.
Below are a few things to know about Justice Ariwoola:
Justice Ariwoola was born on August 22, 1958.
He hails from Iseyin, the headquarters of Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He started his education in Iseyin at the Local Authority Demonstration School, Oluwole, where he finished his primary education in 1967.
Justice Ariwoola attended the Muslim Modern School Oluwole between 1968 and 1969 before proceeding to Ansar-Ud-Deen High School, Saki, in Oyo-North LGA of Oyo State.
He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, Osun State, where he bagged his Bachelor of Law degree with Honours in 1980.
Justice Ariwoola was called to the bar in July 1981.
He later got enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate.
Justice Ariwoola was first appointed a Judge of Superior Court of record in Oyo State in 1992 from private legal practice.
Justice Ariwoola is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court.
He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November 2011.
He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the Oyo State High Court.
Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, he served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos Divisions.
Justice Ariwoola was sworn in as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 27, 2022.
Justice Ariwoola is expected to retire in 2028.
