The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has approved the establishment of new law faculties, reviewed admission quotas at selected universities, and imposed sanctions on institutions found to have breached regulatory procedures, as part of its ongoing oversight of legal education in Nigeria.
The decisions were reached at the Council’s first quarterly meeting of 2026, held on Wednesday at its headquarters in Abuja and chaired by Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN.
Following facility verification and accreditation exercises, the Council approved the commencement of law programmes at five universities, each with an initial admission quota of 50 students. The newly approved institutions are Azman University, Kano State; Rayhaan University, Kebbi State; Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi State; Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State; and Ave-Maria University, Nasarawa State.
The CLE said the approvals followed its satisfaction with the institutions’ infrastructure, staffing levels, and compliance with prescribed academic standards.
The Council also approved upward revisions of admission quotas for four universities. Bayero University, Kano, was cleared to admit 230 law students, while Madonna University, Okija, and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, were each granted quotas of 100 students. The University of Ilorin’s quota was increased to 210.
In a move underscoring stricter enforcement of regulatory standards, the CLE placed three universities—Paul University, Awka; Clifford University, Owerrinta; and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti—on a two-year moratorium for commencing law programmes without prior approval.
The Council further approved sanctions against students found guilty of examination misconduct during the July 2025 Bar Final Resit Examination, as well as disciplinary measures against staff implicated in misconduct.
Promotions were also approved across the Nigerian Law School system, including five staff elevated to the ranks of Deputy Director and Director, 34 academic staff, 136 administrative and technical staff, and 42 personnel converted or promoted across various cadres.
The meeting marked the final Council appearance of the outgoing Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, whose eight-year tenure ends on January 9. A valedictory session was held in his honour, with Council members commending his leadership and reforms.
In a parting gesture, Chiroma announced a ₦5 million endowment to fund an annual cash prize for the Best Student in Corporate Law in future Bar examinations.
The Council formally congratulated Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote on her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, effective January 10, expressing confidence in her ability to consolidate reforms and strengthen legal education.
The resolutions highlight the Council’s renewed effort to expand access to legal education while enforcing stricter standards across institutions.