According to Bulama Bukharti, Nilfa was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013. She then earned an LLM from SOAS, University of London, specialising in International Economic Law with a focus on Africa
A 33-year-old married mother of four and a PhD candidate Nilfa Abdullahi Gambo has become a High Court judge in Jigawa State.
Nilfa is one of the two judges the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended for appointment in Jigawa State High Court. The other judge is Mohammed El-Usman.
Writing on his X, formerly Twitter, and other social media handles, Bulama Bukharti, a United Kingdom-based lawyer qualified to practice in Nigeria and England & Wales, published what can be considered a profile on the new judge.
Bulama Bukharti said, “Nilfa is a smart, industrious and kind woman. Her appointment is a result of her sheer hard work and an inspiration to aspiring lawyers and girls in general.
“Having graduated from Bayero University Kano, Nilfa was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013. She then earned an LLM from SOAS, University of London, specialising in International Economic Law with a focus on Africa.
“She is also a certified mediator and international arbitrator, and a member of CIArb UK and ICMC. She previously worked as a research assistant, registrar, and mediator at the NICN under several Judges of the Court.
“Nilfa achieved all of this at the age of 33, while also giving birth to and raising four children. And when I tell you that three of them are boys, you can imagine what she must have gone through.
“She is a testament to the reality that it is not a choice between career or family. Nilfa successfully combined both. She has made not just the Abdullahi Gambo family proud, but the whole of northern Nigeria. Some credit, of course, goes to Nilfa’s supportive husband (you can hold me guilty of a bit of masculinism here).
“And once again, it was Jigawa State that did it. When Justice Auwal Ya’u was appointed, we celebrated not just him, but the whole state for injecting fresh, agile blood into the bench. Now, the same state has produced Nilfa.
“Jigawa judiciary’s vision in appointing younger lawyers as judges will shape the state in great ways and elevate its judiciary. Mark my words.
“May Allah guide, guard, and protect Honourable Justice Nilfa. May He enable her to do justice without fear or favour, ill will or affection.”
