Nigerian Law Society (NLS) calls on the Council for Legal Education (CLE) to Liberalise the Nigerian Law School System to clear Graduate Backlogs.

The Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) and Former Chairman of the Legal Aid Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, has called an immediate reform and liberalisation of the Nigerian Law School System, stating that the current system is now outdated and ill-equipped to address the country’s growing demand for legal education.
At a recent legal stakeholders’ forum, the NLS BOT Chairman stressed the concern over the persistent backlog of law graduates unable to gain admission due to the limited number of Law School campuses across the nation. He cautioned that this problem is hindering the advancement and growth of legal education in Nigeria.
“It’s time to liberalise the Law School year,” Ayorinde stated, outlining that the existing number of campuses is insufficient. He proposed a reform model in which the Council of Legal Education (CLE) would retain its role in setting the standard examination while accrediting licensed institutions to run professional training programs. This approach would involve lectures being held at various centres, with examinations and law dinners managed centrally by the CLE.
The NLS Chieftain stressed that decentralisation would increase access for more law graduates, ease the pressure on existing facilities, and preserve the integrity of legal training. “The CLE will continue to grade and Call successful candidates to the Bar.”
Ayorinde motioned that the backlog is an avoidable issue. “Liberalisation is a feasible solution, and it’s long overdue,” he added, urging the Federal Government, the CLE, the Nigerian Law Society (NLS), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to work together to implement the proposed reforms without delay.
It is understood that the Nigerian Law Society is poise to set up a Committee to push details of this recommendation to the Council for Legal Education.
“Now is the time to act to preserve the integrity of our legal profession and secure the future of our young graduates,” Ayorinde concluded.