List of CLE-Approved Law Universities in Nigeria and Their Cutoff Marks
Studying Law in Nigeria comes with a rule many prospective students overlook until it’s too late: not every university that offers a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme is actually authorized to do so. Admission into an unapproved law faculty — no matter how good your grades — will not qualify you for the Nigerian Law School, which is the compulsory final step before you can be called to the Nigerian Bar. This article explains what CLE approval means, lists the universities currently approved to run law programmes in Nigeria, and breaks down what you need to know about cutoff marks for Law across some of the country’s most sought-after institutions.
What Is the Council of Legal Education (CLE)?
The Council of Legal Education (CLE) is the statutory body responsible for regulating legal education and professional training in Nigeria. Operating through the Nigerian Law School, the CLE determines which universities are permitted to admit students into the LL.B programme and periodically reviews and updates its list of approved institutions.
The Council has been explicit that any university offering a law programme without its approval is acting outside the regulations governing legal education in Nigeria, and — critically — that students who complete a law degree at an unapproved institution will not be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School, regardless of the grades or qualifications they obtained. This makes CLE accreditation status one of the single most important things a prospective law student can verify before accepting admission anywhere.
The Council also places some approved universities under a temporary moratorium — a suspension of new admissions into their law programmes, usually due to accreditation or capacity issues — even while the institution remains on the approved list overall. As of the most recent update, three universities are under moratorium:
Baze University, Abuja — moratorium from 2023/2024 to 2025/2026
Lead City University, Ibadan — moratorium from 2023/2024 to 2027/2028
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil — moratorium from 2024/2025 to 2025/2026
Prospective applicants should avoid these institutions for new law admissions until their moratorium periods lift, even though they remain listed as CLE-recognized in principle.
Full List of CLE-Approved Universities for Law (LL.B) in Nigeria
The Council’s most recently published list contains 117 universities — spanning federal, state, and private institutions — approved to run the LL.B programme:
Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State
Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State
Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta State
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State
Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State
Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos State
Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo (Calabar), Cross River State
Ave-Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State
Azman University, Kano, Kano State
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State
Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State
Bayero University, Kano, Kano State
Baze University, Abuja (moratorium 2023/2024–2025/2026)
Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State
Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State
Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State
Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State
Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State
Edo University, Iyamho (Uzairue), Edo State
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
El-Amin University, Minna, Niger State
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu State
Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State
Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State
Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State
Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State
Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State
Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State
Gombe State University, Gombe State
Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State
Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State
Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State
Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State
Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, Imo State
Koladaisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State
Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State
Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State (moratorium 2023/2024–2027/2028)
Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, Abia State
Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State
Maduka University, Ekwegbe-Nsukka, Enugu State
Margaret Lawrence University, Abuja, FCT
Maryam Abacha American University, Kano, Kano State
McPherson University, Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun State
Mewar International University, Masaka, Nasarawa State
Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State
Newgate University, Minna, Niger State
Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
Nigerian-British University, Asa, Abia State
Nile University, Abuja
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
North-Eastern University, Gombe State
Northwest University (Yusuf Maitama Sule University), Kano, Kano State
Northwest University, Kalambaina, Wamakko, Sokoto State
Novena University, Ogume, Delta State
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State
Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Anambra State
Philomath University, Abuja, FCT
Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State (moratorium 2024/2025–2025/2026)
Prime University, Kuje, FCT Abuja
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State
Rayhaan University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State
Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State
Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Enugu State
Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, Benue State (formerly Benue State University)
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State
Sam Maris University, Supare-Akoko, Ondo State
Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State
Skyline University, Kano, Kano State
Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State
Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State
Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, Katsina State
University of Abuja, Abuja, FCT
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State
University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
University of Ilesa, Ilesa, Osun State
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State
University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State
University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
University on the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State
Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja
Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State
Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State
Yobe State University, Damaturu, Yobe State
The Council has stated that this list will continue to be reviewed and updated periodically, so it’s worth checking for newer circulars before finalizing an admission decision.
Understanding Law Cutoff Marks in Nigeria
Before diving into specific figures, it helps to understand how cutoff marks actually work for Law admissions in Nigeria:
JAMB’s general minimum: Each year, following its Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions, JAMB sets a national minimum UTME cutoff mark that all universities must respect. In recent admission cycles, many federal universities — including UI, UNILAG, UNIBEN, OAU, and Covenant University — adopted 200 as their general minimum, while Pan-Atlantic University set the highest minimum benchmark at 220.
Departmental/course-specific cutoffs: The JAMB minimum only qualifies you to apply and sit for post-UTME screening — it does not guarantee admission into a specific course. Competitive programmes like Law, Medicine, and Pharmacy almost always require scores well above the general minimum, often between 220 and 270 depending on the university.
Aggregate scoring systems: Most universities combine your UTME score with your post-UTME/screening score using a weighted formula to produce a final aggregate score, which is what actually determines admission. For example, UNILAG typically uses a 50:50 split between JAMB and post-UTME scores, while UI leans more heavily on UTME performance with a 60:40 split.
O’Level requirements: Nearly all Law programmes require five credit passes, including English Language and Literature in English, at not more than two sittings — though specific subject requirements (e.g., Mathematics, Government, Economics) vary by university.
Indicative Law Cutoff Marks at Selected Universities
University Approximate Law Cutoff Range
University of Lagos (UNILAG) 230 – 250 (recent cycles have specifically cited 240)
University of Ibadan (UI) 230 – 250
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 220 – 250
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) 220 – 245
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) 220 – 245
University of Benin (UNIBEN) 220 – 245
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) 210 – 240
Important: These figures are indicative ranges compiled from recent admission cycles and are not guaranteed to remain the same every year. Law is consistently one of the most competitive courses in Nigeria, meaning cutoff marks tend to trend upward rather than downward, and state or private universities may set noticeably different (often more accessible) cutoffs than these elite federal institutions. Always confirm the current session’s exact cutoff mark directly from the university’s official admissions portal or JAMB’s own portal.
Why CLE Approval Matters More Than the Cutoff Mark
It’s worth stressing this point because many prospective students focus exclusively on cutoff marks and overlook accreditation status entirely: scoring above a university’s cutoff mark and gaining admission into its Law faculty means nothing, in professional terms, if that faculty is not CLE-approved. A law degree from an unapproved institution will not grant you entry into the Nigerian Law School, which is the only route to being called to the Nigerian Bar. This is why verifying a university’s CLE status should come before — not after — checking cutoff marks and applying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does it mean for a university to be “CLE-approved” for Law?
CLE approval means the Council of Legal Education has officially authorized that university to admit students into its Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme. Only graduates of CLE-approved law faculties are eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School, which is a mandatory step before being called to the Nigerian Bar. Universities not on the approved list may still offer a “Law” programme, but graduates from such programmes cannot proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
2. How many universities are currently approved by the CLE to offer Law in Nigeria?
As of the most recent update, the Council of Legal Education has approved 117 universities across federal, state, and private categories to run the LL.B programme in Nigeria. This number is periodically reviewed and updated, so it can change from one academic session to the next.
3. What does it mean if a university is under “moratorium” for Law admissions?
A moratorium means the university remains on the CLE’s approved list in principle, but has been temporarily barred from admitting new students into its law programme — usually pending resolution of an accreditation or capacity issue. As of now, Baze University, Lead City University, and the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, are all under moratorium, meaning prospective students should avoid seeking fresh Law admission into these institutions until their respective moratorium periods end.
4. What is the general cutoff mark for Law in Nigerian universities?
There isn’t one uniform cutoff mark for Law nationwide — it varies by university and admission cycle. However, Law is consistently one of the most competitive courses, and top universities like UNILAG, UI, UNN, ABU, and OAU typically set departmental cutoffs somewhere between 220 and 250 (occasionally higher), well above JAMB’s general minimum of around 200. Meeting the cutoff only qualifies a candidate for post-UTME screening — it does not guarantee admission on its own.
5. Can I use my JAMB score alone to gain admission into a Law programme?
No. Meeting or exceeding a university’s cutoff mark only qualifies you to proceed to the post-UTME/screening stage. Most universities then combine your UTME score with your post-UTME performance using a weighted aggregate formula (for example, a 50:50 or 60:40 split) to determine your final ranking for admission. A strong O’Level result — typically five credits including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings — is also required alongside your UTME and post-UTME performance.