The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has explained its decision to impose a two-year ban on three Nigerian universities for violating regulatory guidelines governing law programmes.
In a statement issued after its first-quarter meeting for 2026, the Council said the affected institutions began admitting law students without obtaining the mandatory approval required by law.
The universities placed under moratorium are Paul University, Awka (Anambra State); Clifford University, Owerrinta (Abia State); and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (Ekiti State). The ban prevents them from admitting students into their law faculties for the next two academic sessions.
According to the CLE, the sanction aligns with its long-standing policy against unauthorised commencement of law programmes, stressing that strict compliance is necessary to maintain standards in legal education.
The meeting, held on January 8 in Abuja, was chaired by the Council’s Chairman, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, and focused on regulatory, academic, and administrative issues affecting the Nigerian Law School and university law faculties nationwide.
While sanctioning the three institutions, the Council also approved the commencement of law programmes in five universities after confirming that they met required standards for staffing, infrastructure, and facilities. The newly approved institutions are Azman University (Kano), Rayhaan University (Kebbi), Confluence University of Science and Technology (Kogi), Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (Imo), and Ave Maria University (Nasarawa), each with an initial admission quota of 50 students.
In addition, the CLE approved an increase in law admission quotas for Bayero University Kano, Madonna University Okija, Al-Hikmah University Ilorin, and the University of Ilorin, citing improved capacity and compliance.
The Council also considered reports on examination misconduct during the July 2025 Bar Final Resit examination and approved disciplinary measures where necessary. Promotions across academic and administrative cadres within the Nigerian Law School were also ratified.
The meeting featured a valedictory session in honour of the outgoing Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, whose tenure ends on January 9, 2026. He announced a ₦5 million endowment for the best graduating student in Corporate Law.
The Council formally congratulated Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote on her appointment as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, expressing confidence in her leadership and commitment to strengthening legal education in Nigeria.
