Atiba University gets 10-year ban on law programme over regulatory violations
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has imposed a 10-year moratorium on Atiba University, Oyo State, over inadequate facilities and violations of regulations governing legal education.
The decision was contained in resolutions adopted at the council’s Third Quarter Hybrid Meeting held on August 13, 2026, at the headquarters of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Aderonke O. Osho, the council said the moratorium followed findings that the university’s facilities were inappropriate and inadequate for establishing and operating a Faculty of Law.
The council also found that Atiba University had admitted and graduated students without obtaining the required approval. It described the action as a violation of its admission policy and other regulatory requirements.
According to the council, the 10-year moratorium is a regulatory measure aimed at compelling compliance with prescribed standards and safeguarding the quality, integrity and standards of legal education in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the council approved five universities to commence law programmes from the 2026/2027 academic session. Each institution was granted an initial admission quota of 50 students for its 100-level intake.
The approved institutions are Amadeus University, Amazi, Abia State; Akwa Ibom State University; European University of Nigeria, Abuja; Oduduwa University, Ipetu-Modu, Osun State; and Peaceland University, Enugu. However, the council rejected Maranatha University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, citing numerous deficiencies identified during its verification exercise.
In addition, the council approved upward reviews of admission quotas for several universities from the 2027/2028 academic session. Bowen University, Ajayi Crowther University and Topfaith University had their quotas increased from 50 to 100 students; North Eastern University’s rose from 50 to 75; Elizade University’s from 70 to 120; Chrisland University’s from 50 to 70; Joseph Ayo Babalola University’s from 50 to 100; and Olabisi Onabanjo University’s from 170 to 220 students.
