Nigerian Law School Restricts 2025 Bar Part I Programme To Approved Common Law Degrees.
The Nigerian Law School has announced that only graduates with approved common law degrees from recognised institutions will be eligible for its 2025 Bar Part I programme. This decision, outlined in a recent notice, excludes those who obtained their law degrees through part-time, online, or distance learning programmes, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to maintaining high academic and professional standards.
The Bar Part I programme, a critical step for law graduates from common law countries seeking to qualify as legal practitioners in Nigeria, is designed to familiarise students with the Nigerian legal system. The Council of Legal Education, which oversees the programme, has stipulated that only degrees from accredited universities that meet specific curriculum requirements will be accepted. These requirements include core subjects such as Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Law of Contract, Law of Torts, Land Law, Equity and Trusts, Law of Evidence, and Commercial Law, all of which must be passed as distinct modules.
According to the notice, the application window for the 2025 Bar Part I programme will open on 16 July 2025 and close on 19 August 2025. The programme is set to commence on 2 September 2025 at the Nigerian Law School’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja. Prospective applicants are required to complete their applications via the official website and ensure that academic transcripts and references are sent directly from their universities to the school by 25 August 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted, and applicants are advised to retain their application numbers for tracking admission status.
This policy underscores the Nigerian Law School’s rigorous approach to legal education, ensuring that only candidates with robust, traditionally delivered legal training progress to the Bar Part II programme and eventual call to the Nigerian Bar. The decision has sparked discussions among law students and educators, with some praising the move for upholding quality, while others have raised concerns about its impact on graduates of non-traditional programmes.
The Nigerian Law School, established in 1962, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s legal profession. With its headquarters in Abuja and campuses in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yola, Yenagoa, and Port Harcourt, the institution remains dedicated to equipping aspiring lawyers with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in Nigeria’s legal landscape.
