Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has distanced himself from the Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) designation, popularly called Blue Silk, recently conferred on him by the Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
The former Minister of Aviation maintained that he neither authorised nor approved the acceptance of the designation, describing the incident as an administrative error by members of his staff.
In a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, Fani-Kayode explained that some of his aides attended the NLS event on his behalf following an invitation delivered to his office.
“His Excellency wishes to categorically state that he did not personally authorise or approve the acceptance of the said designation and hereby formally disassociates himself from the purported conferment,” the statement reads.
“His Excellency’s representation at the event by members of his staff was undertaken in the course of official engagements after the invitation was sent to his office by the Society.
“The circumstances surrounding the representation and subsequent communication of acceptance were regrettable and arose from an unfortunate administrative misjudgement, without any intention whatsoever to misrepresent His Excellency’s personal position or professional convictions.”
He also raised concerns about the legal and professional validity of the designation, questioning whether it was consistent with the laws governing the legal profession and relevant judicial decisions.
“As a legal practitioner of over 41 years standing, His Excellency would be the last person to knowingly engage in any act that violates the law, undermines the integrity of the legal profession, or brings the profession into disrepute,” the statement added.
“He comes from a distinguished lineage of three generations of legal practitioners and remains deeply committed to upholding the law, professional ethics, and the established traditions of this noble and learned profession.
“His Excellency therefore 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.
“This clarification is issued to place His Excellency’s position firmly on record, dispel any misconception arising from the incident, and reaffirm his commitment to the rule of law, professional ethics, and the dignity of the legal profession.”
Fani-Kayode’s clarification comes a day after the NLS named him, Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and three other legal practitioners as recipients of the SCN designation during its 2026 annual general conference in Abuja.
The other lawyers honoured were Olufunmilayo Osifuye, Ihudiebube Chukwumdi and Alabi Olalekan Adigun.
The announcement had triggered debate over the legal recognition of the Blue Silk title, with the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) insisting that Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) remains the only professional rank recognised by Nigerian law.
In February, the committee cautioned legal practitioners against using the Blue Silk designation, arguing that it had no statutory foundation and could expose those involved to disciplinary action.
The controversy was further fuelled by a May 13 ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed a lawsuit seeking legal recognition for the Blue Silk rank.
Delivering the judgement, Justice James Omotosho affirmed that the LPPC possesses the statutory authority to confer the SAN designation.
However, the NLS and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) have maintained that their internal rules and regulations empower them to independently award the SCN designation.
