Council of Legal Education Approves 114 Universities for Law Programmes in Nigeria

The Council of Legal Education has published a comprehensive updated list of universities authorized to run law programmes across Nigeria, with approval granted to exactly 114 institutions nationwide. This official announcement was made through a circular released on Friday, March 13, 2026, emphasizing that only universities included on this list are permitted to admit candidates into Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programmes.

Strict Compliance and Sanctions for Unapproved Programmes

The circular, signed by the council's Secretary and Director of Administration, Aderonke Osho, issued a stern warning to institutions operating law faculties without proper clearance. Universities found running unapproved law programmes will face significant sanctions under existing regulations governing legal education in Nigeria.

The council made it explicitly clear that students enrolled in unapproved law programmes will be completely ineligible to proceed to the Nigerian Law School, effectively blocking their path to legal practice in the country. This measure underscores the council's commitment to maintaining rigorous standards in legal education and ensuring that only properly accredited institutions produce future legal professionals.

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Verification and Due Process Requirements

Prospective law students have been strongly advised to verify the approval status of any institution before seeking admission. The council emphasized that universities seeking approval must follow established due process procedures, while students must exercise caution when selecting where to pursue their legal education.

The circular stated: "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."

Periodic Review and Regulatory Oversight

The Council of Legal Education confirmed that the approved list will undergo periodic reviews as part of its statutory responsibility to regulate and maintain legal education standards across Nigeria. This ongoing evaluation process ensures that institutions continue to meet the required benchmarks for legal education delivery.

Complete List of Approved Universities

Below is the comprehensive list of all 114 universities approved to run law programmes in Nigeria:

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Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State
Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State
Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta State
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State
Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State
Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos State
Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo (Calabar), Cross River State
Ave-Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State
Azman University, Kano, Kano State
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State
Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State
Bayero University, Kano, Kano State
Baze University, Abuja (Moratorium on admission for three years)
Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State
Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State
Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State
Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State
Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State
Edo University, Iyamho (Uzairue), Edo State
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
El-Amin University, Minna, Niger State
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu State
Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State
Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State
Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State
Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State
Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State
Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State
Gombe State University, Gombe State
Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State
Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State
Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State
Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State
Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State
Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, Imo State
Koladaisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State
Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State
Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State (Moratorium on admission for five years)
Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State
Maduka University, Enugu State
Margaret Lawrence University, Abuja, FCT
Maryam Abacha American University, Kano, Kano State
McPherson University, Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun State
Mewar International University, Masaka, Nasarawa State
Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State
Newgate University, Minna, Niger State
Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
Nigerian-British University, Asa, Abia State
Nile University, Abuja
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
North-Eastern University, Gombe State
Northwest University, Kano (Yusuf Maitama Sule University), Kano State
Northwest University, Kalambaina, Wamakko, Sokoto State
Novena University, Ogume, Delta State
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State
Peter University, Achina/Onnch, Anambra State
Philomath University, Abuja, FCT
Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State (Moratorium on admission for two years)
Prime University, Abuja, FCT
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State
Rayhaan University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State
Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State
Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Enugu State
Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, Benue State
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State
Sam Maris University, Supare-Akoko, Ondo State
Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State
Skyline University, Kano, Kano State
Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State
Thomas Adewunmi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State
Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Katsina, Katsina State
University of Abuja, Abuja, FCT
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State
University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
University of Ilesa, Ilesa, Osun State
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State
University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State
University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
University on the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State
Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja
Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State
Yobe State University, Damaturu, Yobe State

Notable Academic Achievement in Legal Education

In related academic news, the University of Ibadan recently celebrated a significant milestone when 58 law students graduated with first-class honors from the Faculty of Law during the 2024/2025 academic session. This remarkable achievement represents a substantial proportion of the graduating class and has drawn widespread attention within both academic and legal circles across Nigeria.

The impressive results quickly gained traction on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where students, alumni, and supporters of the institution praised this exceptional academic feat. This accomplishment highlights the quality of legal education being delivered at approved institutions and underscores the importance of maintaining high standards across all law faculties in Nigeria.