Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, has distanced himself from the purported conferment of the Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) title, popularly known as Blue Silk, insisting that he neither authorised nor approved its acceptance.
Fani-Kayode described the development as an administrative misjudgment, saying his representatives attended the event following an invitation from the Nigerian Law Society (NLS), but acted without his personal authorisation.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, the former Minister of Aviation said he formally disassociated himself from the designation.
According to the statement, the communication subsequently sent to the society indicating acceptance of the title was made without Fani-Kayode’s personal approval or intention to misrepresent his position.
He expressed regret over the circumstances, describing them as an unfortunate administrative error.
The former minister also questioned the legal and professional implications of the Blue Silk designation, particularly its consistency with the statutory framework governing legal practice in Nigeria and relevant judicial pronouncements.
Fani-Kayode maintained that his longstanding commitment to the rule of law and professional ethics made it unlikely that he would knowingly endorse any designation capable of undermining the legal profession.
He noted that he had practised law for more than 41 years and belonged to a family with three generations of legal practitioners, stressing his commitment to preserving the established traditions of the profession.
His clarification comes a day after the NLS announced him as one of the recipients of the SCN designation at its 2026 Annual General Conference in Abuja.
Other recipients included Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, Olufunmilayo Osifuye, Ihudiebube Chukwumdi and Alabi Olalekan Adigun.
The conferment has sparked controversy over the legal recognition of the Blue Silk designation, with the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) insisting that Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) remains the only professional rank formally recognised under Nigerian law.
In February, the LPPC warned legal practitioners against adopting or parading the Blue Silk title, arguing that it lacked statutory backing and could attract disciplinary consequences.
The controversy also followed a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja dismissing a suit seeking judicial recognition of the designation.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the suit lacked merit, maintaining that the statutory authority to confer the SAN rank rests exclusively with the LPPC.
However, the Nigerian Law Society and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria have defended the SCN designation, arguing that they possess the autonomy to confer the title on members under their respective internal rules and regulations.
Fani-Kayode reiterated that his representation at the conference and any correspondence issued on his behalf should not be construed as personal endorsement or acceptance of the Blue Silk designation.
