The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has approved the commencement of undergraduate Law programmes in seven new universities across the country, while also upgrading admission quotas in selected existing institutions. The resolutions posted on its Official Page were reached at the Council’s 4th Quarterly Virtual Meeting held on October 28, 2025, under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, OFR, Life Bencher.
The approvals presented by the Board of Studies led by the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, mark another strategic move by the Council to widen access to quality legal education in response to the increasing national demand for trained legal professionals.
After extensive review, the CLE granted provisional accreditation to the following institutions to begin their LL.B programmes, each with an initial quota of 50 students:
- Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Anambra State
- Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State
- Northwest University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
- Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State
- Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State
- Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State
- Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State
The Council noted that the move is part of a deliberate effort to expand legal education to underserved zones, especially in the North-East and South-South. Follow-up accreditation visits have been scheduled to ensure strict adherence to standards.
However, the CLE declined accreditation for:
- Paul University, Awka, Anambra State
- Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
- Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State
The affected institutions were found to have shortfalls in infrastructure and academic staffing. The Council stressed that until these deficiencies are addressed, no approval will be granted.
In recognition of marked upgrades in infrastructure and faculty strength, the Council approved higher intake capacities for the 2026 academic session as follows:
Institution Previous Quota New Quota State
(a) Yobe State University, Damaturu 50 100 Yobe
(b) University of Maiduguri 200 250 Borno
(c) Veritas University, Bwari 50 100 FCT
(d) University of Port Harcourt 50 100 Rivers
These adjustments are expected to accommodate over 200 additional law students nationwide.
In a significant development, the CLE shortened the five-year moratorium imposed on Baze University in 2023, reducing it to three years, following evidence of substantial compliance. The institution also received an increased quota from 50 to 100 students.
The Council emphasised that all approvals, provisional or otherwise, are tied to continuous compliance with minimum standards. It also described the new measures as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening legal education at a time when Nigeria faces rising judicial workloads and complex commercial disputes.
