Born on November 7, 1956 in Gashua, Yobe State. Her remarkable journey in the Nigerian judiciary is a testament to her dedication, competence, and trailblazing achievements as one of the foremost women in the nation’s legal profession.
His Lordship began her education at Central Primary School Gashua and proceeded to Government Girls Secondary School Maiduguri, where she completed her secondary education in 1972. She then attended the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, earning a Diploma in Law in 1976 and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) degree in 1980. Her academic excellence culminated in her Call to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.
Hon. Justice Abba Aji’s judicial career began as early as 1973, where she served in various capacities within the judiciary, including Clerical Assistant (Area Courts Division), Assistant Registrar, Acting Registrar, Higher Registrar (1973–1982). Following her Call to Bar in 1981, she commenced her professional legal career as State Counsel in 1982. From there, she steadily rose through the ranks, holding the following positions: Acting Senior State Counsel (1984); Senior Magistrate II (1986); Senior Magistrate I (1987); Chief Magistrate II (1989); Chief Magistrate I (1991); and Chief Registrar (November 1991).
In December 1991, Hon. Justice Abba Aji was appointed a High Court Judge in the Yobe State Judiciary, making her the first female judge in the history of the state. His Lordship’s commitment to justice and public service was evident in her roles as Secretary and later Chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (Borno State Branch). She also served as Senior Magistrate in charge of the Mobile Traffic Court in Borno State and chaired Judicial Commissions of Inquiry into notable disturbances, including those in Potiskum and Damaturu/Potiskum.
A deeply religious and civic-minded individual, Hon. Justice Abba Aji held leadership roles within the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), serving as Ameerah and National Legal Adviser. She was also President of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN), highlighting her dedication to advancing gender equity within the judiciary.
Her exceptional service continued with her elevation to the Court of Appeal in July 2004, where she served with distinction across several divisions. As Chairperson of the Justices Welfare Committee at the Court of Appeal and a designated ICPC Anti-Corruption Judge from 2001 to 2004, she demonstrated unwavering integrity. Her expertise was further recognized in her pivotal roles on Election Petition Tribunals, where she adjudicated complex electoral disputes with fairness.
Before her elevation to the Supreme Court on January 8, 2019, she served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in Benin and Abuja Division before she subsequently served as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ekiti, Owerri and Kaduna Division. In recognition of her outstanding service to the judiciary and national development, she was honoured with the prestigious National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) and became a Life Bencher in the Nigeria Body of Benchers in 2018.
Throughout her career, Hon. Justice Abba Aji has attended numerous seminars and conferences, presenting scholarly papers on legal and judicial reforms at both national and international workshops. Hon. Justice Abba Aji is happily married with three children. She enjoys reading, writing, gardening, and traveling, having visited nearly all continents of the world.