Atiba University: Parents Demand Action on Unaccredited Law Program

• Atiba University's law program in Oyo State is unaccredited by the Council of Legal Education, jeopardizing students' futures.
• Parents of affected students, represented by lawyer Victor Opatola, are appealing to the Federal Government for intervention and student transfers.
• The unaccredited status means graduates cannot gain admission to the Nigerian Law School, rendering their degrees invalid for legal practice.
• The Council of Legal Education has imposed a 10-year moratorium on the program, while parents have petitioned the National Universities Commission for investigation.
• Parents demand the release of academic records, facilitated transfers to accredited institutions, and refunds of tuition and levies paid.

Students enrolled in the program, some having completed up to five years of study and reaching 500-Level, now face the devastating reality that their academic efforts and significant financial investments may be in vain.

Parents of students enrolled in the law program at Atiba University in Oyo State are urgently appealing to the Federal Government for intervention following the revelation that the program lacks proper accreditation. Represented by their lawyer, Victor Opatola, these parents are calling on key authorities, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Minister of Education, and the Council of Legal Education (CLE), to address the crisis before the upcoming academic session commences. The core concern revolves around the accreditation status of the university's law degree, which is a mandatory requirement for graduates seeking admission to the Nigerian Law School.

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has already taken action, placing a 10-year moratorium on Atiba University's law program. This decision means the institution is prohibited from admitting new students into the program for the specified period. However, the fate of currently enrolled students remains uncertain, prompting the parents to seek urgent resolution from federal authorities.

Parents have formally petitioned the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other relevant bodies, expressing concern over delays in receiving a response. Their lawyer, Mr. Opatola, noted that despite writing to the NUC almost two months prior and following up repeatedly, their communications have been entangled in bureaucratic processes. This lack of timely response has intensified the parents' anxieties regarding their children's academic future.

Further legal steps have been taken by the parents' lawyers, including a formal notice dated June 30, 2026. This notice demanded the release of students' academic transcripts and other records without charge. Additionally, the lawyers requested that the university facilitate and fund the transfer of affected students to accredited law programs and refund all tuition and levies paid. A subsequent petition was sent to the NUC on July 10, 2026, specifically requesting an investigation and immediate intervention, citing that Atiba University was not listed among the CLE's accredited law faculties as of June 2026.

The fundamental issue at the heart of this crisis is the requirement for all law graduates in Nigeria to attend the Nigerian Law School before being called to the bar. Accreditation by the Council of Legal Education is a non-negotiable prerequisite for admission to the Law School. Without this accreditation, the degrees obtained by Atiba University's law students are effectively worthless for pursuing a legal career in the country.

The affected student body spans all levels, from 100-Level to 500-Level, including some who have already completed their 500-Level studies. These students were admitted, paid tuition fees, attended lectures, and passed examinations under the reasonable assumption that the program was duly accredited by the Council of Legal Education, as mandated by law. Their parents are now demanding that, in addition to facilitating transfers and refunding fees, the university should suspend any further demands for tuition payments while the matter is being resolved.

This situation underscores the significant legal and financial risks for students enrolled in unaccredited programs and highlights potential grounds for litigation against institutions failing to meet regulatory standards. The parents' plea to the government emphasizes the need for swift action to prevent the complete loss of academic years and substantial financial investments made by these families.

Lawyers advising prospective law students or their parents must conduct thorough due diligence to verify the accreditation status of university law programs with the Council of Legal Education. This case underscores the significant legal and financial risks for students enrolled in unaccredited programs and highlights potential grounds for litigation against institutions failing to meet regulatory standards.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch