Legal council bans Atiba varsity from offering law for 10 years

Atiba University in Oyo State faces a decade-long ban on its law programs, imposed by the Council of Legal Education. The severe sanction stems from significant deficiencies found in the university's facilities and its violation of regulations governing legal education.

The Council's decision, made during its Third Quarter Hybrid Meeting on August 13, 2026, highlighted that Atiba University's facilities were deemed "inappropriate and inadequate" for operating a Faculty of Law. Furthermore, the institution was found to have admitted and graduated students without obtaining the requisite approval, a clear breach of policy.

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The Council also approved a ten-year moratorium in respect of Atiba University, Oyo State, following its finding that the institution’s facilities were inappropriate and inadequate for the establishment and operation of a Faculty of Law.

"The Council also approved a ten-year moratorium in respect of Atiba University, Oyo State, following its finding that the institution’s facilities were inappropriate and inadequate for the establishment and operation of a Faculty of Law," the Council stated in a release signed by Aderonke O. Osho, Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration.

This moratorium is intended as a regulatory measure to enforce compliance with established standards for legal education in Nigeria and to protect its quality and integrity. The decision comes as the Council simultaneously approved five universities to begin offering law programs from the 2026/2027 academic session. These include Amadeus University, Abia State; Akwa Ibom State University; European University of Nigeria, Abuja; Oduduwa University, Osun State; and Peaceland University, Enugu. The Council, however, rejected Maranatha University's application due to "numerous deficiencies." Several other universities saw their admission quotas for law programs increased.

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The Council further found that the institution had violated its admission policy by admitting and graduating students without obtaining the requisite approval.