Council of Legal Education Approves New Law Faculties, Sanctions Three Universities in Anambra, Abia, Ekiti

Wale Igbintade

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has approved the establishment of new law faculties in five universities, increased admission quotas for several others, and sanctioned three institutions for breaching regulatory procedures.

These decisions were made at the council’s first-quarter meeting for 2026, held last Wednesday in Abuja.

The meeting, chaired by the Chairman of the Council, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), deliberated on key regulatory, academic, administrative, and policy issues affecting legal education and the Nigerian Law School.

After considering reports from the Board of Studies, chaired by the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Isa Hayatu Chiroma, the Council approved the commencement of law programmes in five universities, each with an initial admission quota of 50 students at the 100-level.

The approved institutions are Azman University, Kano State; Rayhaan University, Kebbi State; Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State; Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Orlu, Imo State; and Ave-Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State.

The approvals followed facility verification and accreditation exercises, with the Council confirming the adequacy of infrastructure, availability of qualified academic staff, and compliance with prescribed standards.

In addition, the council approved increases in admission quotas for four universities.

Bayero University, Kano, had its quota increased from 220 to 230; Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, from 50 to 100; Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, from 50 to 100; and the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, from 150 to 210.

Conversely, the CLE imposed a two-year moratorium on three universities—Paul University, Awka, Anambra State; Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State; and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State —for commencing law programmes without prior approval, thereby breaching established regulatory procedures.

The council also considered the Examination Misconduct Committee’s reports and recommendations regarding students involved in examination misconduct during the July 2025 Bar Final Re-sit Examination and approved the committee’s findings.

Further approvals were granted based on recommendations of the Appointments, Promotions and Disciplinary Committee following recent promotion examinations and interviews.

These included the promotion of 5 staff to the ranks of Deputy Director and Director; 34 academic staff; 136 administrative, medical, technical, and finance staff; and the conversion or promotion of 42 staff across various cadres.

The council also approved sanctions for staff found culpable in disciplinary cases, in line with existing rules.

A highlight of the meeting was a special valedictory session in honour of Prof. Chiroma, marking his final Council meeting ahead of the completion of his eight-year tenure as Director-General of the Nigerian Law School on January 9, 2026.

In an emotional address,  Chiroma thanked God for the successful completion of his tenure and expressed deep appreciation to the council, management, and staff of the Law School for their support, affirming his enduring commitment to the institution.

In a notable gesture to promote academic excellence, Chiroma announced a N5 million endowment as a cash prize for the Best Student in Corporate Law in the next Bar Examination.

Council members, Deputy Directors-General, and Heads of Campuses delivered goodwill messages, commending Prof. Chiroma’s leadership, collegiality, and the institutional reforms achieved under his watch, while offering prayers for his future endeavours.

The council also congratulated Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote on her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, effective January 10, 2026.

It expressed confidence in her ability to build on existing achievements and advance legal education, pledging a cordial and productive working relationship under her leadership.