What is the best university to study law in Nigeria in 2023? Top 20 list

Can you imagine living in a country without laws to govern people? It would be in anarchy, characterised by the endless violation of human, animal, and property rights. Nigeria's laws are enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria. The country has lawyers who protect clients' rights and promote justice. To become one, you should find the best law university in Nigeria.

There are different types of attorneys in contemporary Nigeria. Similarly, various institutions of higher learning offer law programmes. You should determine the best law university in Nigeria based on the type of attorney you wish to become in the future.

Best law university in Nigeria: Top 20 institutions

Many prospective attorneys want to know the best law schools in Nigeria. If you are one of them, fret not. Below is a compilation of 20 top institutions that offer quality law education.

20. The University of Abuja

• Location: Abuja
• Year of establishment: 1988
• Type: Public (federal)
• Motto: For Unity and Scholarship

The University of Abuja is one of the federal universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the best law universities in Nigeria. The institution has since grown since its inception and is known for offering world-class education. It has a Faculty of Law known for producing competent graduates.

19. Rivers State University

• Location: Diobu area, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
• Year of establishment: 1980
• Type: Public
• Motto: Excellence & Creativity

Rivers State University has a Faculty of Law with various departments specialising in different types of law, including business, public, international, private property law, and Jurisprudence and International Law.

18. Ekiti State University (EKSU)

• Location: Ado Ekiti
• Year of establishment: 1982
• Type: Public
• Motto: Knowledge, Honour, Service

If you are searching for the best university for lawyers, consider EKSU. This institution is known for producing competent graduates in various fields. It has a Faculty of Law with the Departments of Private and Property Law, Public Law, Business and Industrial Law, and Jurisprudence and International Law.

17. Afe Babalola University

• Location: Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
• Year of establishment: 2009
• Type: Private
• Motto: Labor Servitum Et Integritas (Labor for service and Integrity)

Afe Babalola, a Nigerian attorney and philanthropist, founded this institution in 2009. The institution has a College of Law that offers multiple undergraduate and post-graduate law and law-related programmes.

16. The University of Calabar (UNICAL)

• Location: Calabar, Cross River State
• Year of establishment: 1975
• Type: Public
• Motto: Knowledge for Service

UNICAL has a Faculty of Law with a rich history and competent trainers and lecturers. The department was officially launched in 1980, five years after the institution was established.

15. Olabisi Onabanjo University

• Location: Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
• Year of establishment: 1982
• Type: Public
• Motto: Excellentia Humana et Patriae opus (The Flowering of Human Abilities and Service to the Fatherland)

Olabisi Onabanjo University was formerly known as Ogun State University. It is a state institution of higher learning. Its mission is to offer the best educational experience for all students and the public. It has a dedicated Department of Public Law.

14. Delta State University (DELSU)

• Location: Abraka-Abbi Rd, Uruoka
• Year of establishment: 1992
• Type: Public
• Motto: Knowledge, Character and Service

DELSU is a multi-campus state institution of higher learning. Its main campus is located in Abraka, while the other two campuses are situated in Anwai-Asaba and Oleh. The Faculty of Law is located at the Oleh campus and is one of the best law schools in the country.

13. Ambrose Alli University

• Location: Edo State
• Year of establishment: 1981
• Type: Public
• Motto: Knowledge for Advancement

Ambrose Alli University is a state-owned institution that was formerly known as Edo State University. Its Faculty of Law has produced some of the top and most successful legal practitioners in the country.

12. Abia State University

• Location: Uturu
• Year of establishment: 1981
• Type: Public
• Motto: Excellence and Service

Abia State University believes in education that empowers individuals towards service and excellence. The institution runs on the collegiate system, and its College of Law is among the top-ranked colleges to study law in the country.

11. University of Maiduguri

• Location: Maiduguri
• Year of establishment: 1975
• Type: Public
• Motto: Knowledge is Light

The University of Maiduguri is one of the best higher learning institutions located in the country's northern part. The institution is particularly renowned for its Faculty of Law, which offers quality education and training.

10. Babcock University

• Location: Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State
• Year of establishment: 1959
• Type: Private
• Motto: Knowledge, Truth, Service

Babcock University is one of Nigeria's oldest and best private institutions of higher learning. The institution prides itself on producing competent graduates. It has a School of Law And Security Studies that offers world-class learning.

9. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

• Location: Zaria
• Year of establishment: 1962
• Type: Public

ABU produces thousands of graduates every year from its multiple undergraduate programmes. It is one of the best federal unis in the northern part of the country. Its Faculty of Law is located at the Kongo Campus.

8. Lagos State University (LASU)

• Location: Ojo, Lagos State
• Year of establishment: 1983
• Type: Public
• Motto: Per la verità e di servizio (For Truth and Service)

LASU is one of the most popular and best state-owned universities in Nigeria. Its Faculty of Law is among the best in Nigeria. One of the notable alums of this faculty is Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice president of Nigeria.

7. University of Benin (UNIBEN)

• Location: Benin City, Edo State
• Year of establishment: 1970
• Type: Public
• Motto: Knowledge for Service

UNIBEN is one of the first-generation federal universities in the country. Its Faculty of Law has produced some of the high-profile legal practitioners in the country, including Josephine Anenih and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola.

6. The University of Jos (Unijos)

• Location: Jos, Plateau State
• Year of establishment: 1975
• Type: Public
• Motto: Discipline and Dedication

The University of Jos is a former campus of the University of Ibadan. In 1975, it got its charter. It has a Faculty of Law that offers quality education to all students.

5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

• Location: Ile-Ife, Osun State
• Year of establishment: 1961
• Type: Public
• Motto: For Learning and Culture

OAU is one of the most notable institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. It is one of the most competitive institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. Its Faculty of Law has four departments specialising in business, public, international, jurisprudence and private law.

4. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

• Location: Nsukka-Onitsha Rd, Nsukka
• Year of establishment: 1955
• Type: Public
• Motto: To Restore the Dignity of Man

UNN is among the first-generation federal universities founded before Nigeria's independence. Its Faculty of Law is the oldest in the country. It has made an immense contribution to legal education and practice in Nigeria.

3. University of Ibadan (UI)

• Location: Ibadan
• Year of establishment: 1948
• Type: Public
• Motto: Recte Sapere Fons (For Knowledge and Sound Judgement)

The University of Ibadan is Nigeria’s first premier higher learning centre. The institution has produced some of the most distinguished Nigerian attorneys. It has four departments in the Faculty of Law.

2. University of Lagos (UNILAG)

• Location: Lagos
• Year of establishment: 1962
• Type: Public
• Motto: In deed and in truth

UNILAG is among the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. Its Faculty of Law offers specialisation in public, private and property, commercial and industrial, or jurisprudence and international law.

1. University of Ilorin (Unilorin)

• Location: Ilorin
• Year of establishment: 1975
• Type: Public
• Motto: Better by Far

The University of Ilorin is a federal institution of higher studies in Nigeria. It is arguably the best university for lawyers in Nigeria. Its Faculty of Law inculcates in students a clear understanding of the importance of law in contemporary society.

Which university is the best for law studies in Nigeria in 2023?

Nigeria has many top-ranking law universities. These include the University of Ilorin, UNILAG, the University of Ibadan, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Unijos.

Is law a hard degree?

The law programme involves plenty of work that can be challenging, especially if you lack motivation and self-discipline. Even so, many people have done it, and so can you.

Which are the qualities of a good lawyer?

A competent lawyer is responsive to a client's needs. They also have good analytical, research, speaking, and listening skills.

How many years will it take to study law in Nigeria?

It will take you about seven years to become a qualified attorney in the country. You will spend the first five years in an accredited institution of higher learning, followed by two years at the Nigerian law school and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Which is the cheapest university to study law in Nigeria?

It is challenging to pick the cheapest university in the country for law. Generally, public universities are cheaper than private ones. You should look at the prospectuses of multiple institutions before choosing the most affordable one.

What type of lawyer earns the most?

Attorneys' salaries vary depending on experience, location, size of firm, and education level. The highest-paid ones have specialised in medical, intellectual property, trial, and tax law.

Does it matter what university you go to for law?

Academic achievement is crucial in the legal profession. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right institution that will give you access to plenty of opportunities beyond coursework and help you kick-start your law career.

All prospective Nigerian attorneys are curious about the best law university in Nigeria. There are many institutions offering this prestigious course, but the best one offers quality and affordable education in your preferred area of specialisation.

Legit.ng recently published the best universities to study Computer Science in Nigeria. Among the most prestigious courses to pursue in Nigeria is Computer Science.

Computer scientists research and analyse how computers store and use information. If this is your dream job, you should find out the best university to study Computer Science in Nigeria.

Source: Legit.ng