Top 10 Universities in Nigeria Best For Studying Law

Are you an aspirant hoping to study law after high school? 

If you are stuck with deciding where you want to purchase your dream course, here’s a helpful guide to help you choose the best tertiary institutions in the country!

1. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

The institution located in Enugu, established in the year 1960, is one of the top 3 Universities in Nigeria to pursue prominent courses like law. The faculty came into existence in 1961 and was the first faculty of law to be established in the country.

The faculty has produced more than 12000 graduates in the last 62 years.  From its commencement, the Faculty had only three academic departments; 

  • Department of Commercial and Property Law,
  • Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, and
  • Department of Public and Private Law.  Thus currently, the Faculty has seven academic departments, namely:

The departments in the Faculty was further divided into seven departments with effect from the 2016/2017 academic session.

  • Department of Commercial and Corporate Law
  • Department of Customary and Indigenous Law
  • Department of International and Comparative Law
  • Department of Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
  • Department of Private Law
  • Department of Property Law
  • Department of Public Law

Hey, UNN was the first autonomous university in Nigeria. So, what are you waiting for? 

Read on to survey your options! 

2. University of Ibadan (UI)

The University is the first tertiary institution in the country at large and was established in 1948. It has been ranked the best and most prestigious university in Nigeria. Department of Law was established in 1981 within the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Department satisfied the Faculty of Law in line with the mandatory requirement of the Council of Legal Education in 1984.

As you must know, 6 alumni have been made Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and several others have distinguished themselves in the corporate world the judiciary, academic and private practice.

Read Also: 10 Problems UI Will Face As A Fresher & Their Solutions

Maybe you are going to be the next SAN, give it a try.

3. University Of Lagos, UNILAG

Have you seen this?! 6 Things You Should Know Before Choosing UNILAG

The institution was founded in 1962, and it’s one of the best Universities in Nigeria. UNILAG is one of the first five Universities, in 2018 it was ranked top three in the country. 

Gaining admission into the institution is very competitive and the process is tough, UNILAG Faculty of Law is the best in Nigeria currently. In 2021, the University of Lagos produces the highest number of first-class law graduates. 

You might be risking a lot, but who says the road to paradise is as smooth? Add that to your list.

4. University of Ilorin

One of the prestigious universities in the country you should consider when aspiring for Law or any other prominent course. The institution was created during the military regime in 1975, in the capital of Kwara state, Ilorin. 

The Faculty of Law at the University of Ilorin is one of the notable law faculties in Nigeria. The faculty was initially established in 1983 as a component in the Department of Business Administration, under the reign of Professor Eyitayo Lambo. In 1984, it was fully upgraded into a  department in the Faculty of Business and Social sciences. 

Survey also shows that UNILORIN produces more first-class students from the Nigerian Law schools than some other states and even federal universities in Nigeria. 

Related: 7 Things You Should Do Before Lecture Kickoff As A Unilorin Fresher

If you are still debating where to go for dream come true course, give unilorin a chance to be your road to success. 

5. Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU)

Obafemi Awolowo University is another influential university to study Law in Nigeria. The University was first known as the University of Ife when it was established in 1961. Over time, the school was named after one of the prestigious leaders of Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

In a recent review by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Obafemi Awolowo University was amongst the most sought universities in Nigeria. 

Studying Law at OAU is like studying law overseas. The school has one of the vast law faculties you have seen.

Do you know that most of the international and national competitions for schools in Nigeria and other parts of Africa are usually launched by this university?

Check this out: Departments In UI And What They Are Known For

What’s stopping you from considering this university to purchase your dream? 

6. University of Benin

UNIBEN has constantly been the first choice of institution for my law aspirants in Nigeria. The university usually maintains thousands of students applying for admission into the Faculty of Law every year. It was established in 1970, in Benin City, Nigeria.

Ample of the top lawyers, judges and attorneys in Nigeria are schooled here. If you don’t know, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the former governor of Lagos state studied law at UNIBEN. 

Though, it is not so easy to gain admission into the institution. You have got to work hard, to get your admission.

7. Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria  

ABU founded in the year 1962, has been the most popular University in the northern part of the country. It is the best in the region and produced alumni like the present Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

The university was labelled after the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first premier of Northern Nigeria. 

The institution is highly competitive, and has the best law faculty.

The faculty has departments of commercial law, private law, Islamic law, and public law. The choice is yours.

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8. University of Calabar (UNICAL)

The University of Calabar is a federal university situated in Calabar, Nigeria. Historically, UNICAL was a campus of the University of Nigeria. But with time, UNICAL detached and became a autonomous university in 1975.

UNICAL has one of the notable law faculties in Nigeria, the Faculty of Law was established in September 1980. The Faculty started with two departments;the Department of Private Law and the Department of Public and International Law.

Sounds like what you are looking for? Go for it!

9. Lagos State University, LASU

The Faculty of the law of the Lagos State University was established on 1986 as a component unit of the then Faculty of Law and Humanities. 

Based on research, LASU has one of the best law faculties in Nigeria currently. The university has won notable prizes in many national and international Law competitions. Students of the prestigious Lagos State University have represented Nigeria in global legal debates countless times.

Still curious?

10. University of Abuja, UNIABUJA

The University of Abuja is a tertiary institution in the capital of Nigeria , Abuja. It was established in1988, as a twofold aspect university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programs. Academic work began at the university in 1990 with the matriculation of its pioneer students.

The Faculty of Law started in the 1990. In 1994 the Faculty of Law was unified with the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences into the College of Law, Management, and Social Sciences. With the transformation back to the faculty system in 1999, the Faculty of Law presently runs as an independent faculty.

The institution thrives in a domain that enables competition, unrestrained scientific inquiry, critical thinking, creation, and technique which makes several often spread for admission to study Law in UNIABUJA and see that makes it more competitive.

That said, University Of Abuja is one of the best Universities in Nigeria to study Law.

Now, wherever you are in the country, grazing this, you have a place to pursue your dream to be a lawyer. 

Read more: UI Requirement After Admission And All You must know

I’m sure you picked your best top choices on the list. The ball is now in your Court.

Good luck!

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