The Nigerian House of Representatives has begun an investigation into the regulatory hurdles preventing some National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) law graduates from proceeding to the Nigerian Law School. This follows a petition by affected graduates who claim their names were rejected for mobilisation despite completing their university education. The probe aims to resolve the dispute and potentially allow eligible graduates to continue their professional training.
A representative of the affected graduates, Dr. Adeniyi O. Oladele, appeared before the House Committee on Public Petitions, stating that the graduates had completed their law programme but were unable to secure mobilisation to the Nigerian Law School. Oladele revealed that the graduates approached NOUN after completing their studies but were informed that their names had been rejected. Despite efforts to obtain clarification, the circumstances surrounding the rejection remain unresolved.
NOUN representative Professor Shio Usman Ademo told lawmakers that the university had the list of affected students and was ready to submit it for the committee's consideration. Ademo confirmed that NOUN had received a letter from the Council for Legal Education (CLE) on November 5, 2019, permitting 1,888 students to proceed to the Nigerian Law School. However, the CLE later directed NOUN to stop admitting new students into its law programme pending regulatory issues resolution.
The committee directed Ademo to submit the list of students enrolled in NOUN's law programme when the CLE issued the directive. Ademo stated that over 5,000 law students were active at the time, while NOUN had more than 500,000 students across its programmes. The lawmakers also sought clarification on the academic performance of NOUN law students who had previously gained admission to the Nigerian Law School.
Ademo confirmed that NOUN students had participated in Nigerian Law School examinations, with some performing successfully and being called to the Nigerian Bar. He explained that NOUN's law programme has a minimum duration of five years, with an open and distance-learning structure allowing students to defer studies and return to complete their programmes.
The hearing also considered the case of a NOUN law student who secured admission to a Canadian law school, with Ademo indicating that the CLE raised concerns regarding the student's status. The committee's decision to demand the list of affected students aims to provide further information on the number of graduates involved and help establish the circumstances surrounding their inability to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
The petitioners have urged the House to investigate the matter and facilitate a resolution enabling eligible graduates to continue with the professional training required for admission to the Nigerian Bar. The committee's investigation and potential resolution are expected to bring relief to the affected graduates and clarity to the regulatory issues surrounding NOUN law graduates' mobilisation to the Nigerian Law School.
Key points
- The Nigerian House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into regulatory issues blocking NOUN law graduates from attending Nigerian Law School.
- Over 5,000 NOUN law students were active when the CLE directed the university to stop admitting new students into its law programme.
- The committee's investigation aims to facilitate a resolution enabling eligible graduates to continue with professional training required for admission to the Nigerian Bar.
