Professor Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor has made history as the first and only woman from Nnewi, Anambra State, to attain the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
A native of Otolo, Nnewi, Prof. Okafor is a renowned legal scholar and Professor of Property and Commercial Law at Baze University, Abuja. She earned her law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1979 before obtaining advanced degrees from University College London and the University of Lagos.
Over the years, she has built an impressive career spanning legal practice, academia, and corporate governance. She previously worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company and later served as Legal Adviser and Company Secretary at the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, where she collaborated with major national institutions.
Prof. Okafor is also the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Law at Baze University and served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution in 2023.
Her elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2022 marked a significant milestone, earning her a place among Nigeria’s most distinguished legal professionals and making her a source of pride for Nnewi and Anambra State.
Her achievement continues to inspire young lawyers, especially women, to pursue excellence in the legal profession.
