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By Pamela Agboga

The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN in a statement made this Sunday, named the following universities as the top 10 higher institutions for the study of Law in Nigeria:

University of Lagos,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
University of Jos,
University of Benin,
Lagos State University,
Ahmadu Bello University,
University of Nigeria,
Babcock University,
University of Maiduguri and

10. Igbinedion University While graduates and undergrads from these universities might thumb their noses at their counterparts from the unlisted universities, is it really just the unlisted university that has work to do to make this list in the future? Here are the sectors that need to change: The Law Library: Law is not a Science that might require a laboratory and myriad apparatuses. All the school needs is a well-stocked library, with up to date books, referential materials on issues local and foreign, law journals, periodicals, databases and software. The place should be conducive for spending a long time poring over fine print while doing research that shapes the legal world. The Academic Staff: The qualifications of the academic staff alone give a preliminary impression of what to expect from the university. It amazes one to comprehend why graduates from a university who have attained a masters or professorship degree, decide to make it nigh on impossible for their successors to attain the same heights. Blocking others kills the growth of knowledge in the faculty and soon enough, when the time comes to retire, they look in vain for successors of equivalent rank to pass the baton to. The Alumni: With all the complaints from the school in the nineties, Ambrose Alli University boasted one of the best Law faculties. Their graduates were outstanding at the Law School where all schools get a uniform baptism of fire through the Bar Exam. And they achieved this record for many years despite the cult crises that rocked the school then. The Students: Inter School competitions between faculties are one way to raise the image of the school, and even the contributions they make in their environment count. The same way a school is known for cult activities, is the same way it is known for academic excellence; from the activities and performance of the students. Evidently, many wheels need to be well oiled for the machinery of a law faculty to run smoothly enough to make the top 10 list. It falls to the school, the staff, and even the students (past and present), to do the right things that will give their faculty an image of outstanding quality. The defence rests.

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This article was first published on 16th January 2013

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Chojare Pamela Agboga is a Legal Practitioner, Writer, Editor, Chartered Secretary and Administrator. She is currently working on her first novel 'Weekends are for Loving' as well as a devotional for women.