How do I qualify as a lawyer in Nigeria?
Asked by: Madaline Mueller DVM | Last update: November 3, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (47 votes)
All persons who have obtained a university law degree and want to practice as lawyers in Nigeria must attend the Nigerian Law School. Admission into the Nigerian Law School is open to persons who possess a Qualifying Law Degree and have obtained at least a 'pass'.
Can a law graduate be called a lawyer in Nigeria?
Call to the Bar: Upon successful completion of the Nigerian Law School program, graduates are eligible to be called to the Nigerian Bar. This is a formal ceremony during which they take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Legal Practice.
What are the levels of lawyers in Nigeria?
- Barristers.
- Solicitors.
- Attorneys.
- Advocates.
- Legal Practitioners.
- Law Academics (Academia)
- Notaries Public.
- Arbitrators.
Can you go to law school without a law degree in Nigeria?
Educational Qualifications: Applicants must possess a law degree from a recognized institution. This degree can be obtained either from a Nigerian university or a foreign university with a Council of Legal Education accreditation.
What is the monthly salary of lawyers in Nigeria?
The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is NGN 197,500 per month in the Nigeria area, with an average salary of NGN 127,500 per month.
THE BEST PLACE(S) TO START YOUR LEGAL CAREER
Which profession is the highest paid in Nigeria?
- Orthopedic Surgeon: N770,000 – N2,200,000.
- Cardiologist: N270,000 – N1,960,000.
- Pilot: N200,000 – N1,800,000.
- Anesthesiologist: N550,000 – N1,500,000.
- Solutions Architect: N290,000 – N1,500,000.
- Medical Doctor: N180,000 – N1,500,000.
- Sailor: N200,000 – N1,400,000.
How long does it take to become a lawyer in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, this is a 5-year course, the undergraduate curriculum requires law students to study 12 compulsory core law courses- Legal Methods, Nigerian Legal System, Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Company Law, Law of Torts, Commercial Law, Law of Equity and Trusts, Criminal Law, Land Law, Law of Evidence, and ...
How long is Nigerian law school?
The vocational training process at the Nigerian Law School lasts for one year. The following bodies and institution take charge of the legal practice qualification in Nigeria. The Council of Legal Education is the supervisory body responsible for the accreditation, control and management of legal education in Nigeria.
Can I work in law without a law degree?
Individuals without law degrees who work in law-related careers generally either work as paralegals, legal assistants and legal secretaries, and/or in any of a number of positions in the criminal justice fields.
What subjects are needed to become a lawyer in Nigeria?
- Mathematics.
- English Language.
- Civic Education.
- Economics.
- Government.
- Literature in English.
- CRS / IRS.
- History.
How old is the youngest lawyer in Nigeria?
"I am 24 and not 20"- Esther Chukwuemeka who went viral for being the youngest lawyer to be called to the Nigerian bar sets the record straight on her age and education.
What is the difference between lawyer and attorney in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, there is no distinction of these concepts in Nigeria, as these terms encapsulate the roles of a Legal Practitioner. Anyone who has fulfilled the requirements to be a Legal Practitioner in Nigeria wears this mantle as long as he/she practices.
What kind of lawyers are most in demand?
Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.
Can a foreigner practice law in Nigeria?
Practising in Nigeria
Foreign lawyers are not entitled to practise law under home or other title unless they're called to the Nigerian Bar. 'Home title' is the title granted to you by your home jurisdiction: for example, a solicitor of England and Wales.
What is the difference between barrister and solicitor in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, there is no formal distinction between barristers and solicitors. All students who pass the bar examinations – offered exclusively by the Nigerian Law School – are called to the Nigerian bar, by the Body of Benchers.
How many years does it take to study medicine in Nigeria?
The degree obtained after completing medical training in Nigeria is called the Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Medical training in Nigeria usually spans six to seven years. This period is divided into two with a pre-clinical section followed by a clinical section.
What is a first year lawyer called?
First-year associates are entry-level junior attorneys and are generally recent law school graduates in their first year of law practice.
Has anyone become lawyer without degree?
In four states, you can still take this non-law-school route to becoming a lawyer. Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.
What type of law is least stressful?
- Real estate law: the calm of contracts and closings. ...
- Estate planning: beyond grave matters. ...
- Transactional IP law: where creativity meets law. ...
- Tax law: counting dollars, not hours.
Does law pay well in Nigeria?
To become a lawyer, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree in law and then attend law school. You could earn well as your experience and professionalism grow. Salary Range: From N150,000 to N1,330,000 per month.
How long is bar 1 in Nigeria?
If you intend to practice as a lawyer in Nigeria, you must go through the Nigerian Law School (NLS). If you have attained an undergraduate degree in a foreign university, then you must submit yourself to Bar 1. This is a 3 month period during which you will be schooled on the fundamentals of the Nigerian Legal System.
How much does Nigerian law school cost?
The students are expected to pay N476,000 for the 2023/2024 Bar Part II academic session, against the initial N296,000 their colleagues paid in previous sessions. 'We aren't just a band of blind musicians; we have journalists, teachers and computer...
How to get into law school in Nigeria?
- First Degree with not less than Second Class (Lower) from a recognized University or its equivalent in addition to:
- WASC/SSC/GCE Ordinary Level with a minimum of 5 Credits including English Language, Literature in English or English Literature and Mathematics at not more than two sittings.
How much do banks pay lawyers in Nigeria?
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The estimated total pay range for a Consulting Attorney at Access Bank PLC is NGN 4.1M–NGN 4.5M per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Consulting Attorney base salary at Access Bank PLC is NGN 3.9M per year.
How do I know if my lawyer is licensed in Nigeria?
You can use the form on the official Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) website, for your verification. Remember, only the names of verified lawyers are published in the NBA official database of its members and only verified members can vote in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections.