Olukayode Ariwoola has retired from his position as the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) after attaining the age of 70.

A valedictory session was held in his honour on Thursday at the supreme court premises in Abuja.

Ariwoola, who earned his bachelor of law degree with honours from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in July 1980, was called to the bar a year later and enrolled as a solicitor at the supreme court of Nigeria.

His judicial career saw him serving as a judge of the Oyo state high court before his elevation to the court of appeal in 2005.

Ariwoola was sworn in as the substantive CJN by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 12, 2022, following the controversial resignation of Ibrahim Muhammad, his predecessor.

In line with judicial precedence, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the next most senior justice of the supreme court, is expected to take over in an acting capacity. She is from Lagos State.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended her to President Bola Tinubu as the next CJN. She will be the second woman to hold the exalted position after Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (2012-2014).