Fani-Kayode Breaks Silence, Rejects Blue Silk Rank Conferred On Him Alongside Seyi Tinubu

According to a report by The Punch on Friday, November 6, 2026, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has publicly rejected the Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) rank, popularly called Blue Silk, which the Nigerian Law Society reportedly conferred on him a day earlier.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, the former Aviation Minister said he never authorised or approved acceptance of the title. He described what happened as an administrative misjudgment.

According to the statement, his staff represented him at the event after his office received an invitation from the society.

A later message accepting the designation, it said, went out without his personal approval. He added that he formally disassociates himself from the purported conferment.

Fani-Kayode also raised concerns about whether the title fits the legal framework governing the profession and existing court pronouncements.

He stressed his loyalty to the rule of law, noting that he has practised for over 41 years and comes from a family with three generations of lawyers.

His rejection follows the conferment at the NLS 2026 Annual General Conference in Abuja, where Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, was also honoured. The other recipients were Olufunmilayo Osifuye, Ihudiebube Chukwumdi and Alabi Olalekan Adigun.

The development has stirred debate over the legal standing of Blue Silk. The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee insists the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is the only rank recognised by law, and warned lawyers in February against using the new title.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, also dismissed a suit seeking recognition of the rank.

However, the NLS and the Body of Senior Counsel maintain they have the right to confer the title on members under their internal rules.

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