The Chancellor

CITATION OF HON. JUSTICE SALIHU MADIBBO ALFA BELGORE CON.GCON, CJN (RTD)

CHANCELLOR, ATIBA UNIVERSITY, OYO

SALIHU MODIBBO ALFA BELGORE was born on the 17TH of JANUARY, 1937 to Yusufu Belgore, An Alkali and Aishatu Belgore in Ilorin, Kwara State.

His early education was at Okesuna Elementary School, Ilorin between 1945 to 1948; before proceeding to Ilorin Middle School from 1949 to 1951 and ILESHA GRAMMAR SCHOOL between 1952 and 1956.  Honourable Justice Belgore's professional training began at the Inns of Court School of Law,

London and The Honourable Society of The Inner Temple after which he was called to the Utter Bar at The Inner Temple in February 1964.

Honourable Justice Belgore was first appointed as an Associate Magistrate in the Judiciary of the Northern Nigeria in July 1964.  Later on, he served in various parts of former Northern Nigeria and later in North Central State (now Kaduna state) variously as Magistrate, Chief Magistrate and Chief Registrar up to 1973. Justice S.M.A. Belgore was further appointed as the Acting Judge of The High Courts of North Central and Kwara States; Kano and North–Western States, Benue, Plateau and North–Eastern States in 1974 between February and July.

His other judicial appointments include –

  • Appointed Substantive Judge of The High Courts of Benue, Plateau and North – Eastern States: 2ND JULY, 1974.
  • Appointed a Judge of Plateau and Kwara States, 1976 – 1977.
  • Appointed Chief Judge of Plateau State on 1st March 1977.
  • Appointed Justice of Court of Appeal on 1st September 1979 – Vide Official Gazette No 44 Vol. 67 of 18/09/80.
  • Appointed Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria 26TH JUNE, 1986.

 

Honourable Justice Belgore has also held other positions including–

  • Chairman, Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies; highest legal think-tank in Nigeria, established under a Federal Government Statute. 1999 – 2007
  • Vice-Chairman, National Judicial Council, 2001-2006
  • Member of Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute, 2002-2006
  • Chairman, National Archives
  • Life Member, Body of Benchers
  • Member, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, 1998-2002
  • Appointed The Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria on The 14TH DAY OF JUNE, 2006
  • Chairman, National Judicial Council
  • Chairman, Federal Judicial Service Commission
  • Chairman, Legal Practitioner Privileges Committee
  • Chairman Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute
  • Vice President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Judge, administrative tribunal of the African Development Bank
  • Master bencher, honourable Society of the Inner Temple, London – January 2007 – for life.

 

Honourable Justice Belgore has also been the recipient of many Honorary Awards including;

  • GRAND COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (GCON)
  • COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (CON)
  • LLD (HONORIS CAUSA), IGBENEDION UNIVERSITY, OKADA
  • LLD (HONORIS CAUSA), UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA, GWAGWALADA
  • LITT (HONORIS CAUSA), AL HIKMAH UNIVERSITY

Honourable Justice S.M.A Belgore speaks Yoruba, Hausa, English, Arabic, some French and understands Igbo. His hobbies include; History, Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and to some extent Medicine.

As a Judicial Officer for about forty-two years, he served all over the Federal Republic of Nigeria in various judicial capacities. His duty carried him to the northeast and west, now called geopolitical zones of the country. Therefore he always feels at home anywhere in Nigeria.

On retirement, he currently holds the following positions;

  • Member, National Council of State
  • Judge, Administrative Tribunal of African Development Bank
  • Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage
  • Chairman, Central Working Group of Nigeria, vision 20:2020
  • Chairman, Nigerian National Honours Award Committee
  • Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage
  • Member, Presidential Advisory Committee
  • President, Administrative Tribunal, African Development Bank (AFDB)
  • Chairman, Institute for Oil & Gas Law
  • Life Member, Body of Benchers
  • Life Bencher, Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (where he was called to the English Bar in 1964).