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.

Yobe Boosts Student Support with 100% Scholarship Increase for Over 28,000 Beneficiaries

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Government has commenced the disbursement of scholarships and bursaries to 28,346 eligible students for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking one of the largest educational support interventions in the state’s history.

Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board (YOSB), Dr Kagu Abubakar, announced the rollout on Friday in Damaturu. He explained that the administration had doubled scholarship payments this year to cushion the rising cost of education and ensure students complete their studies without financial hurdles.

Under the expanded scheme, postgraduate students will now receive ₦110,000 per session, up from ₦55,000. Undergraduate students are set to get ₦46,000, while HND, NCE, and National Diploma students will receive ₦34,000—an increase from ₦17,000. Students enrolled in other diploma and certificate programmes will receive ₦26,000, compared to ₦13,000 previously.

Dr Abubakar noted that the 100 per cent increment reflects the government’s commitment to mitigating current economic pressures and easing the financial burden on families.

He described the initiative as the most impactful educational support by any state government in the country since 2001.

According to him, Yobe State University (YSU) accounts for the highest number of beneficiaries, with 7,636 students approved for funding—an indication of the institution’s increasing enrolment across the 17 local government areas.

He added that the scholarships also cover students in other universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and specialised institutions nationwide, ensuring widespread access to higher education, especially for vulnerable groups.

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), unveiled a ₦1 trillion national scholarship program designed to expand access to education and strengthen human capital development across Nigeria on Thursday.

The initiative, which takes off in 2026, will run for 10 years with an annual commitment of ₦100 billion. More than 1.3 million students from all 774 local government areas are expected to benefit.Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Mr Dangote said the scholarship scheme aims to support Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners, noting that many young people drop out of school due to financial hardship rather than lack of ability. He described the intervention as a strategic investment in the country’s future, insisting that every child kept in school strengthens the economy and reduces inequality.

The program is structured in three components. The Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars category will support 30,000 undergraduates in public universities and polytechnics, who will receive up to ₦600,000 annually for tuition. The Aliko Dangote Technical Scholars component will support 5,000 trainees in technical and vocational institutions with essential tools and learning materials. The MHF Dangote Secondary School Girls Scholars scheme will provide uniforms, books and learning supplies to 10,000 girls in public secondary schools, with priority given to states with large out-of-school populations.

To guarantee transparency, the Foundation will use a fully digital and merit-based selection process, implemented in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO. Heads of the agencies were present at the launch to affirm their support.

A Programme Steering Committee chaired by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, will oversee implementation. The committee includes former vice-chancellors, senior education administrators and representatives of the Dangote family. Mr Dangote also disclosed that 25 per cent of his personal wealth has been committed to the Foundation to sustain the initiative, with progress to be reviewed under the Dangote Group Vision 2030 plan.

He emphasised that no single organisation can solve Nigeria’s education challenges alone, and he called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, and communities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the scholarship scheme as the largest private-sector education support programme in Nigeria’s history, calling it “nation-building in its purest form.” He warned that a population becomes a liability only when uneducated and said the initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s human capital index through NELFUND, UBEC, TETFUND and expanded technical and vocational programmes.

Education Minister Prof. Tunji Alausa said the intervention fits into the Tinubu administration’s plan to transition Nigeria from a resource-dependent economy to a knowledge-driven one. He noted that by the end of the program’s first decade, more than 170,000 girls would have gained access to secondary education through the scheme.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who represented the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, commended Mr Dangote and pledged the support of state governments.

The Emir of Lafia praised Mr Dangote’s patriotism, while the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, described the intervention as transformational and timely. United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, speaking virtually, said the scholarship will give children the opportunity to learn and enable families to thrive.

The ₦1 trillion scholarship programme represents the most extensive private education funding initiative ever undertaken in Nigeria. According to the ADF, the scheme is expected to improve school retention, completion rates and long-term socioeconomic outcomes for beneficiaries nationwide.