As children, Law, Medicine and Engineering were the most fantasized about professions and it’s no surprise because Law is one of the most noble, respected, versatile and well-paid professions in the world, not just in Nigeria. A lawyer can work in a variety of professions, including Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Trade and Economics, among others.
Everyone who wants to be a lawyer wants to study in not just any institution but the best, where they will be trained with the best academic infrastructure by the top doctors and professors.
If you’re looking for the best universities to study law in Nigeria, this article is for you. We’ll take a look at the top 10 universities to study law in Nigeria, including their strengths and weaknesses so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your needs as an aspiring lawyer.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Universities To Study Law In Nigeria
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University of Lagos(UNILAG):
The University of Lagos is a public university located in Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria. It was founded in 1962 and is the largest university in Nigeria by student admission. It might interest you to know that UNILAG is one of the five first generation universities in Nigeria and was ranked by 4ICU among the top three universities in 2018.
The law faculty of UNILAG is now the top one in Nigeria. It has been duly accredited by the National University Commission(NUC) and majority of Nigerian attorneys agree that UNILAG is a haven for top-notch law students.
The majority of Nigeria’s first-class law graduates in 2021 came from UNILAG. As a result, the university gained not only the title of best but also the title of most prestigious law university in Nigeria.
It is worthy to note that the current Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a Professor of Law, is a notable alumni of the school.
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Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife(OAU):
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is a federal university located in Ile-Ife, Osun State. It was founded in 1961 and has over 21,000 students.
The law faculty at Obafemi Awolowo University has been duly recognized by several international institutions as one of the best law schools in Nigeria for its excellence and relevance toward solving problems that affect society today and producing excellent law students.
Here are the departments in the Faculty of Law, OAU:
- Department of Business Law
- Department of Public Law
- Department of International Law
- Department of Jurisprudence and Private Law
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University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN):
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka is one of the top federal institutions in Nigeria and was established in 1955. The university offers courses in undergraduate and postgraduate programs in major areas of law. Here are the seven departments in the Faculty of Law, UNN:
- Department of Commercial and Corporate Law
- Department of Customary and Indigenous Law
- Department of International and Corporate Law
- Department of Legal Theory
- Department of Private Law
- Department of Property Law
- Department of Public Law
Admission into the Faculty of Law, UNN, is based on some strict requirements and candidates are expected to have an above-average score in both JAMB and Post UTME.
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University of Ibadan(UI):
Next on our list of best universities to study law in Nigeria is the well-known University of Ibadan. It was established in 1948 in Ibadan, Oyo State and is also referred to as The Premier University. It is the first established university in Nigeria.
The faculty of law, UI, is comprised of the following departments:
- Department of Public and International Law.
- Department of Private and Commercial Law.
By producing students who have excelled time and again in the legal industry, UI has carved a name for itself in the hallmark of top law universities in Nigeria.
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Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria(ABU):
ABU is a federal university in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1962 as a branch campus of the University of Ibadan. It became independent from it and was renamed Ahmadu Bello University on January 1, 1971.
The university has two campuses—Samaru (the main campus) and Kongo—that are located within easy reach of each other but separated by about 20km on different sides of Zaria city center.
With their vast array of seasoned Professors of law and decades of teaching law, it is no wonder that ABU remains one of the best universities to study law in Nigeria.
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University of Ilorin(UNILORIN):
UNILORIN is a federal university that was established in 1975 and is located in Ilorin, Kwara state. The University of Ilorin is one of the foremost universities in sub-Saharan Africa with an uninterrupted academic programme for over 16 years. Alumni of the school have excelled in several sectors both nationally and internationally.
The Faculty of Law at Unilorin offers two programs for law undergraduates:
- Bachelor of Laws degree in Common Law.
- Bachelor of Laws in Islamic Law.
The university is particularly renowned for its law program.
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University of Benin(UNIBEN):
The University of Benin was established in 1970 and is one of the first generation federal universities in Nigeria.
When it comes to legal education as a field of study, UNIBEN has a distinguished past and reputation. One important factor contributing to its reputation as one of the top colleges to study law in Nigeria is the fact that its law school has produced some of the most prominent legal practitioners in the nation.
These are the departments in the faculty of law, UNIBEN:
- Department of Business Law.
- Department of Public Law.
- Department of Customary and International Law.
- Department of Private and Property Law.
A one-time governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) and Josephine Anenih, a former Nigerian minister both graduated from this prestigious institution.
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University of Jos(UNIJOS):
University of Jos was established in 1971 as a campus of University of Ibadan before it became an independent institution. It has demonstrated its dedication to delivering education that is both globally competitive and pertinent to the demands of today’s employers and the evolving challenges of Nigeria and abroad. One of the best courses offered by the school – and it takes pride in its academic excellence – is law.
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Lagos State University(LASU):
LASU was founded in 1983 and caters for a population of over 35,000 students enrolled full-time. It is widely accepted as one of the most popular and best state-owned university in Nigeria.
LASU is referred to by many as the best state university to study law in Nigeria. Here are the aspects of law covered in her faculty:
- Jurisprudence and International Law.
- Commercial and Industrial law.
- Public Law.
- Islamic Law.
- Private and Property Law.
- Legal Studies.
LASU was ranked in 2020 among the top 600 universities in the world by Times Higher Magazine.
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University of Maiduguri(UNIMAID):
The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) is a federal school located in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State in Northeast Nigeria and one of the best Universities to study law in Nigeria. The university was created by the federal government of Nigeria in 1975, with the intent of it becoming one of the country’s top-ranking higher-education institutions.
The school has grown to have one of the best Law faculties in Nigeria—churning out reputable Law graduates, a testimony to the strength of their Law degree.
Final Thoughts on Best Universities to Study Law in Nigeria
The university where you study your desired course has a lot to do with how recognized your certificate will be in the labor market. This is because when you graduate from a school, you also inherit the reputation and goodwill accorded to that school. That is why careful consideration must be made as to the strength of a school in a particular field of study before choosing it.
The universities listed above are some of the most prestigious and innovative institutions for studying law in Nigeria. They were chosen based on their academic excellence, research output and infrastructural support.
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