The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has officially released the updated list of universities authorized to offer the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme for the 2025/2026 academic session. The release comes alongside a stern warning and the imposition of admission "moratoriums" (bans) on several prominent institutions for violating regulatory guidelines.

A total of 114 universities across Nigeria—spanning federal, state, and private institutions—have been cleared to admit students. The Council emphasized that only graduates from these accredited faculties will be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School and subsequent call to the Bar.

Top Institutions with the Largest Quotas include:

·        Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria: 280

·        University of Lagos (UNILAG): 270

·        Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU): 250

·        University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN): 220

·        University of Ilorin (UNILORIN): Increased to 210

New Law Faculties Approved

In a move to expand legal education, the CLE approved the commencement of Law programmes at five new institutions, each with an initial take-off quota of 50 students:

1.     Azman University, Kano State

2.     Rayhaan University, Kebbi State

3.     Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Kogi State

4.     Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State

5.     Ave-Maria University, Nasarawa State

The "Blacklist": Sanctions and Admission Bans

The Council has taken drastic measures against universities that commenced Law programmes without prior approval or exceeded their allotted admission quotas.

·        Two-Year Moratorium: Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Paul University, Awka, and Clifford University, Abia State have been slapped with a two-year ban for starting law programmes without following due process.

·        Extended Bans: Lead City University, Ibadan remains under a 5-year moratorium (until 2028), while Baze University, Abuja and the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil are currently barred from admitting new Law students for the 2025/2026 session.

JAMB Issues "No Admission" Directive

Following the Council’s report, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced it will not process or approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in Law at the affected universities for this session.

"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," stated Aderonke Osho, Secretary to the Council.

Prospective students are urged to verify the status of their chosen institution on the official Council of Legal Education or Nigerian Law School portals before accepting admission offers or paying fees for the 2026 session.