The Council of Legal Education has published the names of 122 universities across Nigeria that are cleared to offer the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme, while warning prospective students to steer clear of institutions that lack its approval. The list, released in August 2026, is intended to guide students, parents, and guardians in choosing accredited institutions for legal studies.
Aderonke O. Osho, Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, directed the message to prospective students, parents, guardians, and other stakeholders. According to The Punch, Osho made this known in a statement issued on Monday, August 14, 2026.
Council's Warning on Unapproved Law Programmes
In the statement, the Council emphasised that only universities it accredits are authorised to admit students into the LL.B programme in Nigeria. The Council added that students admitted into Law programmes in universities that are not accredited will not be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School.
Any university that admits students into a Law programme without the Council's approval would be acting against the provisions governing legal education in Nigeria and could face sanctions, the Council stated.
Three Universities Under Moratorium
While all 122 universities on the list hold accreditation, three currently operate under a moratorium, meaning they cannot admit fresh students into their LL.B programmes for specified periods. Baze University, Abuja, is barred from new admissions for three years, from the 2023/2024 to the 2025/2026 academic session. Lead City University, Ibadan, faces a longer restriction covering five years, from the 2023/2024 to the 2027/2028 session. Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, is under a two-year moratorium running through the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 sessions.
The Council confirmed that all three restrictions were approved by its governing body.
List of Approved Universities
The approved institutions span all geopolitical zones and include federal, state, and private universities. They include Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Lagos, Akoka; University of Ibadan; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Benin; University of Ilorin; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Rivers State University, Port Harcourt; Bayero University, Kano; University of Maiduguri; Lagos State University, Ojo; Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo; Bowen University, Iwo; and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, among others.
Private universities on the list include Benson Idahosa University, Benin City; Redeemer's University, Ede; Igbinedion University, Okada; Madonna University, Okija; Caleb University, Imota; and American University of Nigeria, Yola, as well as several newer institutions such as Philomath University, Abuja; Peaceland University, Enugu; and Sam Maris University, Supare-Akoko, Ondo State.
The Council said the list was published for public guidance and would be updated as needed in line with its mandate to regulate legal education in Nigeria.
