Fani-Kayode Rejects Senior Counsel Of Nigeria Title, Gives Reason

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has formally disassociated himself from the Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) title, commonly known as “Blue Silk,” conferred on him by the Nigerian Law Society (NLS).

In an official statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, Fani-Kayode stated that he did not authorize or approve the acceptance of the rank and explicitly repudiated the conferment.

The former Aviation Minister explained that although he dispatched a representative to the NLS annual conference for official diplomatic engagement, the representative’s acceptance of the designation was an “unfortunate administrative misjudgement” that does not reflect his personal endorsement.

“His Excellency unequivocally repudiates the purported conferment and reiterates that neither his representation at the event nor any communication made on his behalf should be interpreted as his personal endorsement or acceptance of the designation,” the statement read.

Fani-Kayode, a legal practitioner with 41 years of standing at the bar, raised concerns regarding the statutory legality of the title, stressing that he would not engage in actions that undermine professional ethics or bring the legal profession into disrepute.

The conferment reportedly took place on Thursday during the NLS 2026 Annual General Conference in Utako, Abuja, where four other individuals—Seyi Tinubu, Olufunmilayo Osifuye, Ihudiebube Chukwumdi, and Alabi Adigun—were also named recipients.

The Nigerian Law Society—formed as a rival body to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)—introduced the Blue Silk rank in 2025 as an alternative honor for legal practitioners.

However, the designation has faced stiff resistance from regulatory bodies within Nigeria’s legal system.

The NBA previously cautioned against the creation of unauthorized privileges, while the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC)—the sole body statutory empowered to confer the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank—warned lawyers that the “Blue Silk” designation holds no legal recognition.

Furthermore, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit in May seeking to legally establish the rank of Blue Silk as an alternative to SAN, ruling against its institutional adoption.

Reaffirming his stance, Fani-Kayode urged the general public to disregard any claims of his acceptance, maintaining his commitment to established legal traditions and the rule of law.