LAW SCHOOL EXCLUSION: NOUN law graduates set to storm Abuja in 3-day protest
The National Association of NOUN Law Graduates has announced plans to stage a three-day peaceful protest in Abuja over the continuous exclusion of its members from the Nigerian Law School.
The demonstration, scheduled to run from July 7 to July 9, 2026, aims to force the Federal Government’s attention toward hundreds of qualified law graduates who have been left in professional limbo since 2020.
In a joint statement co-signed by the association’s national president, Comrade Adefowora Adedeji, and Secretary-General, Comrade Adewole Ayobami R., the group expressed deep frustration over a six-year backlog that has crippled the career prospects of many.
The leadership lamented that the prolonged exclusion has subjected graduates to severe economic hardship, emotional distress, and career stagnation. They argued that the denial is entirely unjustifiable, especially given that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has fully accredited the National Open University of Nigeria’s (NOUN) Law programme. Furthermore, they pointed out that previous sets of NOUN Law graduates were already admitted and trained at the Nigerian Law School.
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“Our demand is simple, lawful and just. We seek no special privilege or preferential treatment. We only ask to be admitted into the Nigerian Law School on the same basis as our senior colleagues from the National Open University of Nigeria who have already been admitted,” the statement read.
The graduates maintained that their continuous exclusion is a direct breach of the law, specifically violating Sections 34, 36, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee the dignity of the human person, fair hearing, and freedom from discrimination.
They also highlighted that the National Open University Act of 2018 successfully cured the previous legislative gaps from the 1983 Act, fully legitimising the institution’s academic programmes.
“Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares the Constitution supreme and binding on all authorities… We therefore respectfully urge every authority responsible for legal education to ensure that its policies and decisions comply with the Constitution, the rule of law and the principles of fairness, equity and justice.”
With the 2026/2027 Law School academic session fast approaching, the association is demanding immediate action from the Council of Legal Education, the management of the Nigerian Law School, and the Federal Ministry of Education to clear the outstanding backlog.
The group made a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to intervene and guarantee a timely, lawful resolution.
During the planned three-day procession in the Federal Capital Territory, the association intends to submit formal petitions to the Office of the AGF, as well as relevant committees of the National Assembly handling tertiary education and public petitions. They are urging lawmakers to deploy their oversight functions to resolve the crisis once and for all.
The association concluded by calling on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organisations, the media, and well-meaning Nigerians to stand in solidarity with them.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The time has come to resolve the backlog, restore confidence in legal education, and ensure that every qualified NOUN Law graduate is given a fair opportunity,” the group stated.
