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Nigerian-Born Margaret Obi Elevated to High Court Judge in UK

Published

2 months ago

October 26, 2025

Eric

A former Nigerian solicitor, Margaret Obi, has been appointed as a High Court judge in England and Wales.

Her appointment, which took effect on October 3, 2025, was confirmed by several British outlets, including Global Legal Post.

Obi is reported to be “one of only eight current High Court judges, who previously practised as solicitors.”

She will serve in the King’s Bench Division and is expected to bring over 27 years of legal practice and seven years of judicial experience to the role.

Congratulating her, Head of Pump Court Chambers in the UK, Oba Nsugbe (KC), said, “For as long as I have known her, Mrs Justice Obi has always been naturally low-key and entirely grounded; never once forgetting her Nigerian roots.”

Before her elevation, Obi served as a Deputy High Court Judge, a Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge and Chair of the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

She was also appointed acting judge of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory in 2023.

Meanwhile, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has congratulated Margaret on her appointment as a High Court Judge in England and Wales.

In a post on X on Friday titled “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders,” Obi described her elevation as historic, noting that Mrs Obi is the first African-born person to be appointed a High Court Judge in England and Wales.

He praised her career trajectory, highlighting her over 27 years of legal practice and seven years of judicial service, which he said reflect “hard work, integrity, and professional excellence.”

Obi also clarified that despite the similarity in names, Mrs Margaret Obi is not his wife. He explained that his wife officially identifies herself as Mrs Margaret Peter-Obi.

The former governor commended Mrs Obi’s achievement as an example of the outstanding potential of Nigerians who excel globally when provided with the right environment.

He added that such accomplishments should inspire efforts to build a nation that nurtures excellence within its own borders.

He wrote: “I warmly congratulate Mrs Margaret Obi on her well-deserved appointment as a High Court Judge in England and Wales.

“By the elevation, Mrs Obi makes history as the first African-born High Court Judge in England and Wales.

“Her remarkable journey from solicitor to the Bench, with over 27 years of legal practice and seven years of judicial service, stands as a testament to hard work, integrity, and professional excellence.”

Obi further clarified that, despite the similarity in their names, Mrs Margaret Obi is not his wife.

He explained: “Due to the similarity in name, Mrs Obi is often mistaken for my wife, but for clarity, she is not. It’s also necessary to note that my wife, from inception, officially identifies herself as Mrs Margaret Peter-Obi.”

The former Anambra governor added that Mrs Obi’s achievement underscores the excellence and potential of Nigerians making global strides, urging the nation to create an environment where such success can also thrive at home.

“Her achievement once again highlights the outstanding potential of Nigerians who continue to excel globally when given the right environment to thrive. We are challenged by the remarkable attainments of Nigerians in other climes to build a nation that fosters such excellence within our own borders,” he stated.

Featured

Dangote Launches Historic ₦1trn Scholarship Scheme for 1.3m Students

Published

10 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Eric

The Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Aliko Dangote, has launched a ₦1 trillion scholarship programme targeting more than 1.3 million Nigerian students over the next decade.

The initiative, the largest private-sector education support scheme in Nigeria’s history, will begin in 2026 with ₦100 billion disbursed annually across all 774 local governments.

The programme focuses on vulnerable learners, supporting undergraduate STEM students, technical trainees, and secondary school girls through tuition aid, study materials, and essential learning supplies.

It will be implemented through a fully digital, merit-based system in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO.

Dangote said the intervention is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that financial hardship—not lack of talent—is the major barrier keeping many young people out of school. He added that 25 percent of his wealth has been committed to sustaining the Foundation’s long-term programmes.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the scheme as a transformative act of nation-building, noting that it complements government reforms in basic, tertiary and technical education.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the programme aligns with the administration’s goal of transitioning Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged the governors’ full support.

Traditional rulers including the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, who chairs the programme’s steering committee, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised the initiative as unprecedented in scope and impact.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also commended the scheme, saying it will create conditions for children to learn and families to thrive.

The scholarship initiative reinforces the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s mission to expand opportunities, drive social impact and improve the wellbeing of communities across Nigeria.

Featured

Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Ikpeazu, Others Scale Senate Screening Hurdle for Ambassadorial Positions

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Eric

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, approved the nomination of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for appointment as ambassador.

Other nominees cleared by the committee include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-special adviser on new media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Grace Bent.

Also confirmed were former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu; former Governor of Enugu, State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of Abia State, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.

The screening session, conducted in batches of five nominees each, experienced a mild drama during Omokri’s turn.

Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Adams Oshiomhole openly disagreed on how his clearance should proceed.

After Omokri’s batch had introduced themselves, Ndume moved a motion to allow the nominees to take a bow and leave.

Some senators, including Oshiomhole, indicated they wanted to comment.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, recognised Oshiomhole to speak, but Ndume insisted that his motion should be seconded before allowing further interventions.

This led to a sharp disagreement between the two senators.

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Tinubu Reiterates Directive on Withdrawal of VIP Police Protection

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has insisted on his earlier directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from very important persons (VIPs) in the country.

On November 23, Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs across the country during a security meeting with the inspector-general of police (IGP), the chiefs of army and air staff, and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The president said the move was aimed at boosting police presence in communities, especially remote areas where stations are understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.

Speaking at the opening of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Tinubu warned against non-compliance and directed Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Ibrahim Gaidam, minister of police; and Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, to follow up on the implementation of the order.

The president noted that police officers were trained to protect the lives and property of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society, adding that the protection of a select group of VIPs is not their responsibility.

The president ordered Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, to make arrangements for the replacement of police officers by civil defence corps.

“If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.

“The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too.

“We face challenges here and there of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The civil defence is very much around.”

Tinubu said there is a need to mobilise the police appropriately due to the country’s security challenges.