The House of Representatives has commenced moves to resolve the prolonged exclusion of law graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria from admission into the Nigerian Law School for Bar training and examinations.
The intervention followed a petition by more than 5,000 affected graduates under the aegis of the “Backlog of Law Graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria.” The petitioners urged the House to address the dispute that has left them unable to proceed to the Nigerian Law School and qualify for Call to Bar.
The House Committee on Public Petitions invited the National Open University of Nigeria and the Nigerian Law School, under the Council of Legal Education, to explain the circumstances surrounding the prolonged impasse. Neither institution appeared before the Committee at its investigative hearing on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
NOUN submitted a letter explaining the absence of its Vice-Chancellor. The Nigerian Law School also wrote to the Committee, citing official engagements and requesting alternative dates for its appearance. Both institutions expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
The petitioners, represented by officials of their association, told the Committee that they had completed their LLB programmes and should not be made victims of disagreements between government institutions. The petition was jointly signed by the association’s President, Dr. Adeniyi O. Oladele; Vice-President, Mrs. Nora John; Secretary, Mr. Paschal Emeka Egerue; and Public Relations Officer, Chibueze Kenneth Obochi.
Honourable Akin Rotimi, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, laid the petition before the House on July 21, 2026. He expressed commitment to ensuring that the concerns of the affected graduates receive attention and stressed the need for a fair and lasting resolution.