Nigerian Bar Finals

Overview

The Nigerian Bar Finals are the final examinations of the Bar Part II programme at the Nigerian Law School, which the Council of Legal Education runs. The Law School teaches the programme at its headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, and at campuses in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yenagoa, Yola and Port Harcourt. The Law School also runs a Bar Part I course, and a Call to Bar process for those who complete the programme.

Who can apply

For admission to Bar Part II in the 2026/2027 session, the Law School accepts:

• Nigerian graduates of law from Nigerian universities.

• Nigerian graduates of law from non-common law jurisdictions who have finished a remedial programme at a Nigerian university.

• Foreign-trained law graduates who have completed and passed the Bar Part I course at the Law School.

Your university's Registrar must have sent your details to the Law School by 4 September 2026 for you to be eligible to apply this session.

Important dates

For the 2026/2027 Bar Part II session:

• The application portal opens on 7 September 2026.

• Completed application forms and references must reach the Law School, through your Dean of Law, by 31 December 2026.

• The session starts on 22 February 2027 at all campuses at the same time.

For the 2026 resit of the Bar Finals (candidates repeating):

• Online registration ran from 26 January to 28 February 2026.

• Mandatory revision lectures ran from 16 March to 8 May 2026, at the Abuja campus only.

• The resit examinations ran from 16 to 22 May 2026, at the Abuja campus only.

• Registration documents were due by 20 March 2026.

Fees

• Bar Part II application fee, 2026/2027 session: N40,000, which is not refundable.

• 2026 resit: an application fee of N30,000 for everyone, plus N120,000 for all papers or N70,000 for one paper, and N50,000 for the revision programme.

How to apply

Follow the instructions on the Nigerian Law School website. Confirm first with your university that it has sent your details to the Law School, then pay the application fee, complete the form and return it with the references through your Dean of Law. Re-admission candidates need to attach their approval or clearance letter.

After the exam

The Law School runs a Call to Bar process, with screening and a call ceremony, for those who complete the programme. Check the Law School's notices for each year's Call to Bar requirements.

Resits

Candidates who fail can register for the Bar Final resit. For the 2026 resit, the revision classes were compulsory for candidates resitting all papers, who needed at least 80 percent attendance to be allowed into the exams. Candidates resitting a single paper could choose not to attend.

FAQs