10 Best Universities to Study Law in Nigeria

10 Best Universities to Study Law in Nigeria
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In this article, I will give a rundown on the top 10 best Universities to study law in Nigeria, the requirements to study law in Nigeria, how much lawyers make in Nigeria, and more.

When selecting a university to attend is the quality of education it provides. Most students do not give this enough thought; they only care about how good their social life will be, how good their football team is and how much fun they will have at college. This, however, is a mistake—the school you graduate from has a lot to do with how good and broad your career will be after graduating.

In Nigeria, employers care so much about the school their employees attend because some universities are not rated at all. The reason why it is crucial, if not compulsory, is to check out for the best before selecting the university you wish to attend.

In the nation today, we have different universities that concentrate their effort on making a just and efficient lawyer.

Law is a set of written instructions and orders to prevent, guide, and also sanction a set of people who collectively agree and make the rules for themselves. But as a profession, Law is the study of standards, rules, ethics, procedures, and facts on the interpretation of the law, execution of sanction, and making a final verdict on the premises presented before the court of law.

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The Faculty of law in every tertiary institution was made to teach her students the Nigerian Legal System, so they can stand out in law schools nationwide and become barristers and solicitors.

After your studies, you should be able to defend and construct a persuasive argument, acquire knowledge of legal matters, information on basic and complex legal policies, theories, and case studies, and understand issues from multiple perspectives, research, and numerical skills.

Also, you must be fluent in English, have problem-solving skills, make and comprehend case laws, and so on. So to learn all this, you’ll need to attend an excellent tertiary institution that teaches law. Before I show you the best universities to study law in Nigeria, let me share some other details about law in Nigeria.

Best 10 Universities To Study Law In Nigeria.

So many universities in Nigeria offer law as a course of study. After our research, we noted some Nigerian universities for students to study law at the best level. These include;

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG)

Which university is the best to study law in Nigeria? The University of Lagos is no doubt among the very best university when it comes to academics and the Faculty of Law, UNILAG is efficient when it comes to teaching law. UNILAG has trained some of the finest lawyers in Nigeria.

The Faculty of Law, Unilag, was established in 1962 as one of the foundation teaching units in the University. Her departments include:

  • Jurisprudence and international law
  • Public law
  • Commercial and industrial law
  • Private and property law
  • Startup and Fintech Law

UNILAG Faculty of Law is currently the best faculty in Nigeria. Its full National University Commission (NUC) accreditation means that it has passed all of its requirements and has officially been recognized as one of the best law schools in Nigeria. Most lawyers in Nigeria have also corroborated that UNILAG is the perfect camp for excellent law students.

Although this Faculty requires a very high score in the UTME examinations, you need a JAMB score of at least 250 to be considered admitted to study law at Unilag, but it is worth it. The university has produced many notable Nigerians at home and abroad.

UNILAG is a frontrunner in Nigerian universities, attracting many students within and beyond Nigeria.

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2. University of Ibadan (UI)

It is the first established university in the nation. The University of Ibadan, Ibadan, is another ranked university in Nigeria. It is one of the best universities to study law in Nigeria. And this university is one of the best in Africa.

The University of Ibadan is one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria. It’s known for its active students, who consistently participate in legal cases and competitions.

They offer the most renowned law programs in the country. UI has an ultra-modern faculty that have been used to train some of the best lawyers in Africa. Her departments in the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, include:

  • Department of Public and international law
  • Department of Private and Business law

3. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

The University of Ilorin is another federal government university located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. The Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, is one of Nigeria’s most prominent law faculties.

This Faculty is also one of the most sought-after in the country and currently ranks number 2. Established in 1983 as a unit in the Department of Business Administration under the direction of Professor Eyitayo Lambo. The Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, is another institution that has produced one of the best law students in Nigeria.

4. University of Nigeria (UNN)

The best university in the Eastern part of Nigeria also tops this list. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was founded by Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe in 1955; it has three campuses, but its Faculty of Law stands out. The Federal Government, which owns and runs the schools, is doing a lot to see that it is well equipped to produce professionals in medicine.

UNN has a very impressive law Faculty, and the level of academic competition among students is high. You must be very hardworking to be a law student at UNN, it is tough to gain admission to study law in the school due to its high cut-off mark, and you will have to study harder to graduate with a good result from the faculty of law.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is one of the best universities in Nigeria to study law in Nigeria, and it is as old as the country.

5. OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY (OAU)

Obafemi Awolowo University is another notable university in Nigeria and one of the country’s most competitive universities. ABU has no rival in Northern Nigeria when it comes to legal studies.

This university is one of the founding universities that has changed the academic perspective. This university faculty of law, Obafemi Awolowo University, is one of the best places to study law. Her departments include:

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  • Department of Business Law
  • Department of International Law
  • Department of Jurisprudence and Private Law
  • Department of Public Law

6. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)

This is another exceptional tertiary institution when it comes to legal studies. UNIZIK is a federal university located in Awka, Anambra State. It is one of the best universities in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria. UNIZIK has taken legal education to the next level and has produced over 10,000 legal practitioners.

UNIZIK has a mini law court where the student takes a professional practice test and where the judiciary arm of her SUG meet to discuss and argue policies that affect her students. Most adults come to the Faculty of Law, UNIZIk, to pursue a second degree, both undergraduates and postgraduates.

7. University of Jos (UNIJOS)

UNIJOS has one of the best law schools in Nigeria. The University of Jos was formerly a campus of the University of Ibadan until 1975. The idea that the University of Jos should have the teaching of Law as a separate discipline was recognized at the onset Thus in 1976/77. The university admitted its first set of students in 1992.

In order to meet the increasing demand for places to study Law sweeping the country at the time, the Department was transformed into the Faculty of Law in 1980. The new Faculty had two Departments, namely, the Department of Public and Private Law and the Department of Property and Commercial Law. Now it has the Departments of;

  • Commercial Law
  • Public Law
  • Private Law
  • International Law and Jurisprudence

8. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU)

Ahmadu Bello University is inevitably one of the federal universities in the country and one of the best universities to study law in Nigeria.  Located in the Northern parts of Nigeria, it is equipped with capable lawyers who teach its students English and Sharia laws.

ABU is known for its excellent academic performance when it comes to law. Most especially, Sharia laws and their students have been dominating that field. This university is one of the best places to study law in Nigeria.

9. University of Benin

The University of Benin was founded in 1970 and is one of the first-generation federal universities in Nigeria. This is also one of the best universities to study law in Nigeria.

Their faculty of law has produced some of the best notable legal practitioners in the country i.e., The former governor of Lagos State, Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), and Josephine Anenih, a former Nigerian minister who graduated from this prestigious institution. UNIBEN has a satisfactory history and reputation regarding legal education as a course of study.

10. University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)

The University of Maiduguri is another remarkable university located in the northern part of Nigeria. UNIMAID was founded in 1975, making it one of the oldest federal universities in the country. The university is renowned for its law program and one of the best in legal education.

Best Federal Universities to Study Law

Best Federal UniversitiesLocation
University of Lagos Lagos
University of IbadanIbadan
University of IlorinIlorin
University of NigeriaNsukka
Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka
University of JosJos
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
University of BeninBenin
University of MaiduguriMaiduguri

Best State Universities to Study Law

Best State UniversitiesLocation
Lagos State UniversityOjo
Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma
Ekiti State UniversityAdo Ekiti
Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko
Enugu State University Of Science And Technology Agbani
Imo State University Owerri
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua UniversityKatsina
Osun State UniversityOshogbo
Nassarawa State UniversityKeffi
Benue State University Makurdi

Best Private Universities to Study Law

Best State UniversitiesLocation
Afe Babalola UniversityAdo Ekiti
Igbinedion UniversityOkada
Madonna UniversityElele
Crescent UniversityAbeokuta
Babcock UniversityIllishan-Remo
Baze UniversityAbuja
American University of NigeriaYola
Bowen UniversityIwo
Al-Hikmah UniversityIllorin
Nile University of NigeriaAbuja

REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY LAW IN NIGERIA.

To study law in Nigeria, you must meet any/all of the following requirements.

  • UTME Requirements:

A minimum of 5 credit passes in your O’level exams in English Language, Mathematics, Literature-in-English, and any two Arts or Social Sciences subjects.

  • UTME Subjects:

English Language and any three Social Sciences subjects (Government, C.R.K, Principles of Accounting, Economics/Commerce, Literature in English.

  • Direct Entry Requirements:

(i) Credit JUPEB/A Level Subjects: Literature-in-English and any two Arts or Social Sciences subjects.

ii) First Degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper.

How many years does it take to study law in Nigeria?

It takes 6 years to study law in Nigeria. 5 years in university and 1 in law school. It is in the university that you would get intellectual training. It is in these universities that you learn how to create arguments, object arguments, and understand the different legal systems operated in Nigeria. At the same time, law school teaches you the professional aspect of the Nigerian legal system. After completing a year in law school, you become a barrister.

Are Lawyers Rich?

Depending on his experience and services. A lawyer in the Judiciary or a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) earns more money than an ordinary barrister. A family lawyer with many years of experience can make up to ₦15,000,000/year. While corporate lawyers and patent lawyers can earn up to ₦100,000,000/year in Nigeria.

That aside, some of the richest lawyers in Nigeria are Tunde Folawiyo, John Olatunde Ayeni, Adewumi Ogunsanya SAN, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, Femi Falana SAN, and Chief Folake Solanke.

How Much are Lawyers paid in Nigeria?

For a professional course, lawyers are not paid very well in Nigeria. An average lawyer that schooled in Nigeria earns between ₦50,000 to ₦100,000/month. While those that schooled abroad can earn up to ₦200,000/month. The fact is that doctors earn more than lawyers in Nigeria.

What is the Best Country to Study Law?

The best school to study law in the world right now is Havard University Law School, Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, University of Cambridge Faculty of Law, and University of Oxford Faculty of Law. While the best countries to study law in the world is the United States, followed by The United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and Belgium.

Nigeria is one of the best places to study law in West Africa but the best university to study law in Africa is located in Tanzania, followed by South Africa, Nigeria [UI], and Egypt.

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How many years can I study Law in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, studying law typically requires a minimum of five years. The educational journey begins with a 4-year undergraduate program, leading to a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree. Afterward, to practice law, graduates must attend the Nigerian Law School, which is a one-year program. In total, this adds up to five years of formal legal education.

These are the best universities to study law in Nigeria. Gaining admission to study law in the listed universities is very competitive. So if you were able to get admission to study law at any of these higher educational institutions, you ought to work hard up and be at your best to become an alumnus of one of the best law universities in the country.

1 thought on “10 Best Universities to Study Law in Nigeria”

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