Council of Legal Education Approves Al-Ansar, 113 Universities to Run Law Programmes in Nigeria

Council of Legal Education Approves Al-Ansar, 113 Universities to Run Law Programmes in Nigeria

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has authorised Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, alongside 113 other universities across Nigeria, to offer Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree programmes.

In an official circular released on Friday, the council clarified that only institutions listed in the document are permitted to admit students into law programmes in the country.

The circular, signed by the Secretary and Director of Administration of the Council, Aderonke Osho, cautioned universities against operating law programmes without formal approval from the regulatory body.

According to the council, any institution that runs a law programme without accreditation will face sanctions under the regulations guiding legal education in Nigeria.

It further warned prospective students and parents to verify the status of universities before seeking admission into law faculties, stressing that graduates from unapproved law programmes would not qualify for admission into the Nigerian Law School, which is mandatory for anyone seeking to practise law in the country.

“The public is further informed that any university that admits students into a law programme without the approval of the Council of Legal Education is acting contrary to the provisions regulating legal education in Nigeria and will be subject to appropriate sanctions,” the circular stated.

The council explained that the move is part of its ongoing effort to maintain quality standards in the training of legal professionals in Nigeria.

It also indicated that the list of approved institutions would be periodically reviewed and updated in line with its statutory responsibility of supervising legal education in the country.

Among the universities granted approval are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Maiduguri; Bayero University, Kano; Lagos State University; Rivers State University; and Gombe State University, among many others.

However, the council noted that a few institutions currently have temporary moratoriums on admission into their law programmes, including Baze University, Abuja; Lead City University, Ibadan; and the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, due to regulatory decisions affecting specific academic sessions.

The Council of Legal Education, established under the Legal Education Act, is the statutory body responsible for supervising legal education in Nigeria. It oversees the operations of the Nigerian Law School and ensures that universities offering law programmes meet the standards required for professional legal training in the country.