Femi Fani-Kayode, the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, has officially rejected the title of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), commonly referred to as Blue Silk, which was recently bestowed upon him by the Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
In a statement released by his media assistant, Fani-Kayode clarified that he did not personally consent to the acceptance of this designation and is formally disassociating himself from it. He noted that he had sent a representative to the NLS event, where the title was awarded, for official duties related to the society’s invitation.
Fani-Kayode labeled the acceptance by his representative as an “unfortunate administrative misjudgement,” underscoring that it does not represent his endorsement or beliefs. The NLS, which has gained prominence in recent years as a competing entity to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), had conferred the title on Fani-Kayode along with four other legal practitioners during its 2026 Annual General Conference in Abuja.
The former aviation minister expressed skepticism about the NLS’s legal authority and emphasized that with over four decades of experience in law, he would not compromise the integrity or reputation of the legal profession. He stated that the purported designation raises significant concerns regarding its legal implications in the context of Nigerian legal regulations and relevant judicial decisions regarding professional ranks.
Fani-Kayode urged the public to disregard any misconceptions arising from the title’s conferment and reiterated his dedication to the principles of law and the ethical standards of the legal profession. The Blue Silk title has previously been a point of contention within the legal community. In November 2025, the NBA responded to criticism over the promotion of the rank by stressing that it contradicts established legal practices. In February, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) reaffirmed that the title is not recognized within the legal framework of Nigeria, further delegitimizing the Blue Silk title.
