In a significant development affecting legal education in Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will not conduct admissions for the Law programme in several universities following a directive from the Council of Legal Education (CLE).
The decision, which affects the 2025/2026 academic session, stems from the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme at eight universities across the country.
The affected institutions are Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State
In a statement signed by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Public Communications Advisor for JAMB, the examination body emphasized that no admissions will be processed for Law aspirants at these institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session. Notably, the suspension at the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, will extend into the 2026/2027 academic session, making it the only institution facing a two-year restriction.
The CLE’s decision to suspend Law programmes in these universities raises critical concerns about the quality of legal education in Nigeria.
The CLE, the statutory body responsible for regulating legal education and training, has not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the suspension.
However, experts speculate that the action could be linked to issues such as inadequate facilities, non-compliance with accreditation standards, staffing deficiencies, or failure to meet curriculum benchmarks.
For prospective students who had planned to pursue legal studies at these institutions, the suspension represents a major setback. Many will now need to reconsider their options, either by seeking admission into other accredited universities or deferring their academic plans.
This situation may also lead to increased competition for Law admissions at unaffected universities, potentially raising admission cut-off marks and further straining Nigeria’s already competitive tertiary education system.
This development underscores the increasing scrutiny on legal education standards in Nigeria. The CLE has, in recent years, taken steps to tighten regulations, improve the quality of Law programmes, and ensure that institutions meet the necessary requirements for training future legal professionals. This latest move aligns with broader efforts to uphold the integrity of legal education and produce competent lawyers who can thrive in Nigeria’s complex legal landscape.
Universities affected by the suspension will need to address the issues raised by the CLE before they can regain accreditation for their Law programmes.
This may involve significant infrastructural upgrades, faculty recruitment, curriculum improvements, and compliance with CLE-mandated standards. Institutions that fail to meet these requirements risk prolonged suspensions, which could have lasting reputational and financial consequences.
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from stakeholders in the legal and educational sectors. Some education analysts have praised the CLE for prioritizing academic excellence and ensuring that Law faculties adhere to necessary standards. Others, however, have criticized the decision, arguing that it could disrupt the academic aspirations of many students and exacerbate Nigeria’s educational challenges.
A legal education consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted:
“This decision, while necessary, exposes deeper structural problems in Nigeria’s higher education system. The CLE and universities must work collaboratively to address these issues rather than just impose suspensions. Otherwise, the long-term effect could be a decline in access to legal education.”
Parents and students have also expressed concerns, with some calling for greater transparency regarding the specific deficiencies that led to the suspension. A prospective Law student who had planned to apply to one of the affected institutions stated:
“I feel lost. This means I have to rethink my entire admission process. I hope JAMB and the CLE can provide clearer guidance on alternative options.”
For universities impacted by the suspension, the path to reinstatement will likely require rigorous reforms and closer engagement with regulatory bodies. Addressing deficiencies in academic staffing, infrastructure, and compliance with accreditation requirements will be critical.
Meanwhile, aspiring Law students are advised to explore alternative accredited institutions, seek career counseling, and remain informed about future developments. JAMB and the CLE are expected to provide further clarification on the issue, including potential timelines for the reinstatement of the affected programmes.
