'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the suspension of admissions for the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme at eight universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. The decision follows the suspension of the Law programme by the Council of Legal Education (CLE), the regulatory body responsible for legal education in Nigeria.
The affected institutions include Kwara State University, Bingham University, Redeemers University, Western Delta University, Taraba State University, Arthur Jarvis University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, and the Nigerian Police Academy. Notably, the suspension will extend for two academic sessions at the Nigerian Police Academy, affecting both the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.
JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday. He explained that the Board would not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to study Law at the affected universities during the specified period.
“Please note that the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, will last for two academic sessions: specifically, the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions,” Dr. Benjamin stated.
He further clarified that the ban on admissions for the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy would extend into the 2026/2027 academic session, while the suspension at the other seven universities would apply only to the 2025/2026 session.
The suspension of Law admissions at the eight universities is a direct consequence of the CLE’s decision to halt the LL.B programme at these institutions. The CLE, which oversees the accreditation and regulation of Law programmes in Nigeria, has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons for the suspension. However, such actions are typically taken when institutions fail to meet the required standards for legal education, including inadequate facilities, staffing, or curriculum.
The CLE’s mandate is to ensure that Law graduates are adequately prepared for the Nigerian Law School and subsequent legal practice. The suspension of the LL.B programme at these universities suggests that the CLE has identified significant deficiencies that need to be addressed before the institutions can resume admitting Law students.
The suspension has sparked mixed reactions from stakeholders in the education sector. While some have commended the CLE and JAMB for upholding standards in legal education, others have expressed concern over the impact on students seeking to study Law.
A parent, Mrs. Adeola Ogunleye, whose child had hoped to gain admission to study Law at one of the affected universities, described the suspension as “disheartening.” She called on the CLE to provide clarity on the reasons for the decision and to work with the universities to resolve the issues promptly.
On the other hand, legal practitioner Mr. Chukwudi Eze praised the CLE for taking a firm stance on quality assurance. “Legal education is the foundation of the justice system. If we compromise on standards, we risk producing poorly trained lawyers who will struggle to uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Prospective Law students who had planned to apply to any of the affected universities for the 2025/2026 academic session will need to consider alternative institutions. JAMB has advised candidates to review the list of accredited universities offering Law programmes and adjust their choices accordingly.
The suspension also serves as a reminder to universities to prioritize the quality of their programmes and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Institutions seeking to reinstate their Law programmes will need to address the deficiencies identified by the CLE and undergo a reaccreditation process.
The suspension of Law admissions at these universities highlights the challenges facing legal education in Nigeria. With the increasing demand for legal professionals, there is a need for more accredited institutions offering quality Law programmes. However, this must be balanced with the imperative to maintain high standards.
The CLE’s decision underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation of Law programmes to ensure they meet the requirements for producing competent legal practitioners. It also calls for greater collaboration between regulatory bodies, universities, and other stakeholders to address systemic issues in legal education.
The suspension of Law admissions at eight universities by JAMB, following the CLE’s directive, is a significant development in Nigeria’s education sector. While it may disrupt the plans of some prospective Law students, it reinforces the commitment to maintaining high standards in legal education.
As the affected universities work to address the issues raised by the CLE, stakeholders are calling for transparency and swift action to resolve the situation. In the meantime, prospective Law students are advised to explore alternative options and remain informed about updates from JAMB and the CLE.
