The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has given reasons why it slammed a two-year ban on three universities.

In a Press Release seen by CITY LAWYER, the council stated that the decision was in line with its policy on sanctions against universities that commence law programmes without prior approval.

The council noted that the affected universities violated established regulatory procedures, even as the affected institutions are barred from admitting students for the next two years.

The universities include Paul University, Awka, Anambra State; Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

While the Chief Emeka Ngige SAN-led council approved the Council approved the commencement of admission into the Faculty of Law at five universities, it also approved the upward review of admission quotas for four universities.

Meanwhile, the council has commended the newly appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Gbemi Odusote on her elevation while expressing confidence “in her capacity to build on existing achievements, drawing from her illustrious career in academia and institutional leadership, and looked forward to a cordial, productive, and mutually rewarding working relationship under her stewardship.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

PRESS RELEASE:

COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDUCATION HOLDS ITS FIRST QUARTER MEETING FOR 2026

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) held its First Quarter Meeting for the year 2026 on Wednesday, 8 January 2026, at its Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Chief Emeka Ngige, OFR, SAN, Life Bencher.

The meeting deliberated extensively on key regulatory, academic, administrative, and policy matters affecting legal education and the Nigerian Law School, and several far reaching resolutions were adopted.

The Council considered and approved the reports presented by the Board of Studies chaired by the Director General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Life Bencher, on the recent facility verification and accreditation conducted to universities seeking approval to commence law programmes.

Having satisfied itself with the adequacy of facilities, availability of qualified academic staff, and compliance with prescribed standards, the Council approved the commencement of admission into the Faculty of Law at the following universities with an initial quota of fifty (50) students at 100 level:
. Azman University, Kano State
. Rayhaan University, Kebbi State
. Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State.
. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Orlu, Imo State.
. Ave-Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State.

The Council approved the upward review of admission quotas for the following universities:
. Bayero University, Kano – from 220 to 230
. Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State – from 50 to 100
. Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State – from 50 to 100.
. University of Ilorin, Kwara State – from 150 to 210.

In line with the Council’s policy on sanctions against Universities that commence law programmes without prior approval, the Council placed the following universities on a two (2)-year moratorium for violating established regulatory procedures:
Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The Council also considered and approved the reports and recommendations of the Examination Misconduct Committee relating to student involved in examination misconduct during the July 2025 Bar Final Resit Examination.

The Council approved the reports and recommendations of the Appointments, Promotions and Disciplinary Committee (AP&DC) based on the outcome of the recent promotion examinations and interviews. The approvals covered:
Promotion of five (5) staff to the rank of Deputy Director and Director, Promotion of thirty-four (34) academic staff, Promotion of one hundred and thirty-six (136) administrative, medical, technical, and finance staff, and Conversion/promotion of forty-two (42) staff across various cadres

The Council also approved the Committee’s recommendations on sanctions for staff with disciplinary cases and issues of misconduct, in line with established rules and procedures.

A special valedictory session was held in honour of the outgoing Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Life Bencher, as the meeting marked his final Council meeting, ahead of the completion of his tenure on 9 January 2026.

In an emotional valedictory address, Prof. Chiroma expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for the successful completion of his eight-year tenure. He extended heartfelt appreciation to the Chairman and Members of the Council of Legal Education, as well as the Management and Staff of the Nigerian Law School, for their unwavering support throughout his years in office. He reaffirmed his enduring commitment to the institution, stating that the Nigerian Law School would always remain close to his heart.

In a notable gesture of legacy and support for academic excellence, Prof. Chiroma announced an endowment of ₦5 million as a cash prize for the Best Student in Corporate Law in the next Bar Examination results.

The Chairman of the Council, Council Members, Deputy Directors-General, and Heads of Campuses took turns to deliver goodwill messages, unanimously commending Prof. Chiroma’s visionary and transformational leadership, his collegiality, and the remarkable institutional reforms achieved during his tenure. They offered prayers and best wishes for his continued success in future endeavours.

The Council formally congratulated Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote on her appointment by the president and commander in chief of the Armed Forces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR as the new Director General of the Nigerian Law School, effective 10 January 2026. The Council expressed confidence in her capacity to build on existing achievements, drawing from her illustrious career in academia and institutional leadership, and looked forward to a cordial, productive, and mutually rewarding working relationship under her stewardship.

Singed:
Office of Information & Protocol
January 8, 2026

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