983 Candidates Fail Nigerian Law School Bar Resit Exam; Council Lists Approved Universities

The Council of Legal Education has announced a significant failure rate in the May 2026 Bar Final (Resit) Examination, with 983 candidates, or 54.7%, not achieving the required pass mark. The examination saw 1,955 candidates attempt the test, resulting in 885 passes and 55 conditional passes.

The council disclosed these results following its Third Quarter Hybrid Meeting on August 13, 2026. The overall pass rate stood at 45.3%, with 983 candidates failing and 32 absent. The results of 19 others were withheld.

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a total of 1,955 candidates sat for the examination, 885 candidates recorded a pass, while 55 candidates obtained conditional passes. The council further stated that 983 candidates failed the examination, while 32 candidates were absent and the results of 19 others were withheld.

In a related announcement, the Council of Legal Education also published a list of 122 universities it has approved to offer Law programs in Nigeria as of August 2026. The council issued a stern warning to prospective students, cautioning them against enrolling in unaccredited institutions. It emphasized that only universities sanctioned by the council are authorized to admit students for the Bachelor of Laws program, and those admitted to unapproved programs will not be eligible for Nigerian Law School admission.

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The results recorded an overall pass rate of 45.3 per cent. 54.7 per cent of the candidates did not attain the prescribed pass mark.