Lawyer
Law & Government
A lawyer helps people, businesses and government bodies understand and use the law. Day to day the work is mostly reading and writing: studying case files, drafting agreements, tenancy documents, company registration papers and court processes, and meeting clients to explain their options. Litigation lawyers also appear in court to argue cases, which means early mornings at court registries and long waits for matters to be called. In Nigeria, lawyers work in private law firms (heavily concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt), as in-house counsel in banks, oil and telecoms companies, in ministries and agencies, with the Ministry of Justice as state counsel or prosecutors, with NGOs on human rights work, and later as magistrates and judges. Many lawyers specialise — corporate and commercial, oil and gas, litigation, property, family law or criminal defence. It suits students who read a lot, argue carefully rather than loudly, write clearly in English, and are patient with detail and delay. You do not have to be loud to be a good lawyer; much of the profession is paperwork and negotiation.
Exam requirements
Career pathway
WAEC/NECO credits including English Literature
At SSCE level
Five credits at not more than two sittings, including English Language and Literature-in-English. Law is an Arts/Social Science course, so Mathematics is usually not required as a credit, but check the specific university's requirement.
UTME and university admission into Law
Sit JAMB UTME with English, Literature-in-English, Government or History, and CRS/IRS or Economics, then pass the university's post-UTME screening. Law is one of the most competitive courses, so aim for a high UTME score.
LL.B degree at a Nigerian university
5 years
Study constitutional law, contract, torts, criminal law, land law, equity, commercial law and more. Make sure the programme is accredited by the Council of Legal Education and NUC — graduates of unaccredited programmes are not admitted to Law School.
Nigerian Law School (Bar Part II) and call to the Bar
1 year
A compulsory vocational year at a Nigerian Law School campus (Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yenagoa, Yola, Port Harcourt). You study civil and criminal litigation, corporate law practice, property law practice and ethics, do court and law-firm attachments, and must pass the Bar Final exams to be called to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
NYSC
1 year
National Youth Service, usually served after call to the Bar. Many new lawyers are posted to law firms, courts or ministries and are retained afterwards.
Practice, pupillage and specialisation
Most new wigs spend their first years under a senior in a firm or chambers learning drafting and court craft. Later options include an LL.M, a specialist area such as oil and gas or tax, or in time applying for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Common challenges
Getting admitted to study Law at all
DifficultLaw has far more applicants than places in Nigerian universities, and cut-off marks and post-UTME competition are high. Many candidates write UTME more than once or are offered a different course.
How to handle: Treat UTME seriously from SS2: past questions daily, and target a score well above the general cut-off. Have a realistic second-choice university and consider state universities where competition is slightly lower. If you are offered a related course like Political Science or Criminology, you can still finish it and later do a Law degree, but know that this adds years — decide with your eyes open rather than drifting.
The extra year and cost of Nigerian Law School
DifficultAfter five years of university you must still fund and pass one year at the Nigerian Law School, where fees, accommodation and the required wig, gown and clothing cost far more than a normal university session.
How to handle: Start planning for it from 300 level, not final year: talk to your family early about the figure, look for scholarships and bursaries from your state government, your local government, law firms and bodies like NBA branches, and keep your CGPA strong because most scholarships and firm sponsorships go to students with good grades. Save anything you earn from holiday work or internships.
Law School exams are pass-or-repeat
ModerateThe Bar Final is demanding and students do fail; failing delays your call to the Bar and means repeating the exam.
How to handle: Build the habit now of reading long material and writing structured answers under time pressure — that is exactly what Law School tests. In university, do not cram only for exams; keep notes you can return to. At Law School, follow the required reading and past Bar Finals from week one rather than relying on handouts near the exam.
Low pay and slow progress in the first years
ModerateMany newly called lawyers earn very little in small chambers while doing long hours and court runs, and the better-paying commercial firms recruit from a small pool with good grades.
How to handle: Use your university years to build what firms actually look for: a strong class of degree, good written English, and internships (externship) in a law firm or Ministry of Justice during long vacations, even unpaid ones near home. Keep a file of documents you have drafted. If your first job pays poorly, treat it as training, stay two to three years to learn drafting and advocacy properly, then move.
Court delays and client pressure
ModerateCases in Nigeria can take years, witnesses do not show up and clients blame their lawyer for delays outside anyone's control.
How to handle: Learn early to explain timelines honestly to clients instead of promising quick wins, and keep written records of every instruction and payment. If constant adjournments would frustrate you, consider solicitor-side work — corporate, property, compliance, in-house counsel — which is less court-dependent.
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Key skills
Minimum qualification
LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) plus Nigerian Law School BL and call to the Nigerian Bar