Legal Education Council Clears Al-Ansar, 113 Universities to Offer Law Degrees
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has granted approval to Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, and 113 other universities across Nigeria to run Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programmes.
In a circular released on Friday, the council clarified that only the institutions listed in the document are authorised to admit students into law degree programmes in the country.
The circular, signed by the council’s Secretary and Director of Administration, Mrs. Aderonke Osho, warned that universities operating law programmes without official clearance would face disciplinary action.
According to the council, students enrolled in law faculties that lack proper approval would not be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School, a compulsory stage for anyone intending to practise law in Nigeria.
The statement emphasised that universities offering law programmes without accreditation are violating the regulations guiding legal education in the country and may be subjected to sanctions.
“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 noted.
The council said the approved list forms part of its responsibility to regulate and maintain standards in legal education nationwide. It added that the list would continue to be reviewed and updated periodically in line with its mandate.
Several well-known institutions featured on the approved list, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; University of Maiduguri; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Bayero University, Kano; Lagos State University; and Rivers State University, among others.
However, the council also disclosed that some universities are currently under temporary admission restrictions for their law programmes. These include Baze University, Abuja; Lead City University, Ibadan; and the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, following regulatory decisions affecting specific academic sessions.
The Council of Legal Education, established under the Legal Education Act, is responsible for supervising legal training in Nigeria. It oversees the Nigerian Law School and ensures that universities offering law degrees meet the required academic and professional standards.