Abuja, Nigeria – January 10, 2026 – In a decisive move to shape the future of Nigeria's legal profession, the Council of Legal Education (CLE) has simultaneously approved the creation of new law faculties, increased student intake at established institutions, and imposed sanctions on universities operating without authorization.
The decisions, reached at the Council's first quarterly meeting of 2026, signal a dual strategy of expanding access while rigorously enforcing regulatory standards.
New Gateways for Aspiring Lawyers
Following successful accreditation exercises, the CLE granted approval for five universities to commence law programmes, each with an initial annual admission quota of 50 students. The newly accredited institutions are:
Azman University, Kano State
Rayhaan University, Kebbi State
Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi State
Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State
Ave-Maria University, Nasarawa State
In addition to these new faculties, the Council significantly increased the law student admission quotas for four existing universities. Bayero University, Kano, received the largest allocation, now permitted to admit 230 students. The University of Ilorin's quota was raised to 210, while Madonna University, Okija, and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, were each granted quotas of 100 students.
Crackdown on Unauthorised Programmes
Emphasizing a "no-tolerance" stance towards breaches of due process, the CLE placed three universities under a two-year moratorium, prohibiting them from admitting new law students. Paul University, Awka; Clifford University, Owerrinta; and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, were sanctioned for commencing law programmes without prior CLE approval.
"The Council remains committed to expanding quality legal education across Nigeria," said Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, Chairman of the CLE. "However, this expansion must be orderly and adhere strictly to the standards that safeguard the integrity of the legal profession. The sanctions are a necessary measure to uphold these principles."
Leadership Transition at the Helm
The meeting also marked a transition in leadership at the Nigerian Law School. A valedictory session was held for the outgoing Director-General, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, whose eight-year tenure ended on January 9. In a parting philanthropic gesture, Prof. Chiroma announced a ₦5 million endowment to fund an annual prize for the Best Student in Corporate Law in Bar examinations.
The Council formally welcomed Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new Director-General, effective January 10. Council members expressed confidence in her ability to steer the institution forward.
Other Key Decisions
The Council meeting also addressed several administrative and disciplinary matters:
Approved the promotion of 177 staff members across the Nigerian Law School system.
Upheld sanctions against students found guilty of misconduct during the July 2025 Bar Final Resit Examination.
Confirmed disciplinary measures against staff members implicated in procedural breaches.
Analysts view the CLE's latest resolutions as a balanced approach to addressing the growing demand for legal education while tightening oversight to ensure national standards are uniformly maintained.
About the Council of Legal Education (CLE):
The CLE is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and supervision of legal education in Nigeria. It sets standards for law faculties and oversees the Nigerian Law School, which all aspiring barristers must attend before being called to the Bar.
