Law is one of the noblest professions. If you are hoping to kickstart a career in law in Nigeria, you may first need to study law in a higher institution before proceeding to law school.
If you have been wondering which are the best universities to study law in Nigeria? In this post, you will learn about the 10 best universities to study law in Nigeria.
What's in this guide?
Best universities to study law in Nigeria
Here are the best universities in Nigeria to study law:
1. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Aside from being one of the 10 Best universities to study law in Nigeria, UNILAG Faculty of Law is one of the law faculties that have full accreditation in Nigeria.
Located in Lagos State and established in 1962, this university has a reputation for its high academic standards and a large number of applicants.
In 2021, the University of Lagos produced the highest number of first-class law graduates in Nigeria.
The UNILAG Faculty of Law has 4 undergraduate law programmes:
- Bachelor of Laws degree in Public law; LLB (Public Law)
- Bachelor of Laws degree in Private and Property law; LLB (Private and Property Law)
- Bachelor of Laws degree in Commercial and Industrial Law; LLB (Commercial and Industrial Law)
- Bachelor of Laws degree in Jurisprudence and International Law; LLB (Jurisprudence and International Law)
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and vice president of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023 studied law at the prestigious University of Lagos.
2. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
UNILORIN was founded in 1975, during the military era. It is located in Kwara, a central point in Nigeria, which makes it accessible to all ethnic groups.
The University of Ilorin is also known as the public university with the fastest academic calendar in the country. Aside from this, it has a good record of producing many first-class students in Nigerian Law schools.
Suggested For You: 10 Best Public Universities in Nigeria
3. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Studying Law at OAU is like studying law at Harvard University.
While this may be an exaggeration, it is true to some extent. Obafemi Awolowo University has produced many of the best graduates in Nigeria in legal as well as other fields.
OAU bagged the first position in the 2019 “All university mooting competition”.
A moot competition is an academic activity in a law institution where students compete with each other. They will argue a hypothetical case or a case that has already been decided by an actual court.
4. University Of Ibadan (UI)
Meet the first premier university in Nigeria. Established in 1948 as University College Ibadan, the University of Ibadan has been ranking in the top spot for many courses, and Law is one of them.
The University of Ibadan is one of the schools with the highest number of first-class graduates from the Nigerian Law School.
Also, this legendary university has a reputation for not backing down or running from a fight. Mention any legal competition in Nigeria and you will see that the University of Ibadan is a participant.
Also Read: 10 Best universities to study medicine in Nigeria
5. University Of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
UNN is located in Nsukka, Enugu State, and was established in 1960, around the same time Nigeria gained its independence.
The Faculty of Law at UNN is the oldest in the country. Since its creation, it has made many impacts on the Nigerian legal system.
6. University Of Benin (UNIBEN)
Established in 1970, the University of Benin is one of the first-generation public research universities in Nigeria. UNIBEN faculty of law is also recognized and accredited faculty by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC).
Many successful lawyers have graduated from this university. They include Babatunde Raji Fashola, the former governor of Lagos state, and Iyom Josephine Anenih, a former Minister of Women Affairs of Nigeria.
7. University Of Calabar (UNICAL)
The University Of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria. However, it later separated and became a fully-fledged university in 1975.
The UNICAL Faculty of Law was established in September 1980. Legal education started with two departmental courses, which are Private Law and Public and International Law.
Also Read: 10 Best private universities in Nigeria
8. Lagos State University (LASU)
Aside from being among the 10 Best universities to study law in Nigeria, Lagos State University (LASU) is the number 1 state university where you can study law.
Lagos State University was founded in 1983 and is situated in Ojo, Lagos State.
9. Ahmadu Bello University, Abu, Zaria
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) was established in 1962 and is located in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Shortly after its creation, it was named after the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first premier of Northern Nigeria.
In 2005, students of this university represented Nigeria at the Sherman and Sterling International Round of the Philip C. Jessup competition in Washington DC, United States.
Today, ABU Zaria is one of the 10 best universities to study law in Nigeria.
10. Covenant University (CU)
Meet the best private university in Nigeria, established in 2002 by the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel.
Covenant University is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities, and National Universities Commission.
In 2018, the National Universities Commission (NUC) named Covenant University as the best private institution in Nigeria and the 6th best university overall.
In 2019, Covenant University became the first Nigerian university to be ranked in the top 401-500 category of world universities by Times Higher Education.
Conclusion
The university where you study your desired course has a lot to do with how much employers will recognize your certificate. When you graduate from a school, you also inherit the reputation and goodwill accorded to that school.
Many Law companies in Nigeria filter out job candidates based on the school attended because some universities are not worth it.
As a result, it is very important that you know the 10 Best universities to study law in Nigeria before having your JAMB or Pre-degree registration.
Note that all information on this page is solely based on merit. We are not paid to include or exclude any individual or institution.
