Last Updated on 4 days ago by Haruna Ayuba
The Nigerian Law School (NLS) has opened applications for the 2026 Bar Part I Programme. The application window runs from Monday, 25 May 2026 to Tuesday, 30 June 2026, and the programme commences on Monday, 27 July 2026 at the NLS Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja. The application fee is ₦30,000, paid on Remita. Here is everything you need — deadline by deadline, document by document.
- Key Highlights
- About the Nigerian Law School
- Who Is Eligible to Apply?
- Documents Required for the 2026 Bar Part I Application
- How to Apply for Nigerian Law School Bar Part I 2026 — Step by Step
- Key Deadlines at a Glance
- NLS Campuses
- Frequently Asked Questions — Nigerian Law School Bar Part I Form 2026
- Final Thoughts
Key Highlights
- Application opens: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Application closes: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
- Application fee: ₦30,000 (non-refundable, paid via Remita)
- Programme start date: Monday, 27 July 2026 — Bwari, Abuja (HQ)
- Application portal: www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng
- Form submission email: barpartone2026@nigerianlawschool.edu.ng
- Transcripts deadline: Friday, 17 July 2026
- Who can apply: Nigerian law graduates from Common Law countries (CLE-approved degrees only)
- Source: Official NLS notice signed by Mrs. Aderonke O. Osho, Secretary to Council and Director of Administration, May 2026
About the Nigerian Law School
The Nigerian Law School (NLS) was established in 1962 under the Council of Legal Education (CLE). It is the only institution in Nigeria authorised to provide professional legal training to law graduates before they can be called to the Nigerian Bar as Solicitors and Barristers of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Bar Part I is a qualifying programme specifically designed for foreign-trained law graduates and Nigerian graduates whose degrees require a qualifying assessment before entry into Bar Part II — the main professional training year.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The 2026 Bar Part I Programme is open to Nigerian graduates of Law from Common Law countries whose law degrees have been approved by the Council of Legal Education.
The following degrees are not accepted for Bar Part I admission:
| Excluded Mode of Study | Recognised? |
|---|---|
| Part-time degree programmes | No |
| Open University degrees | No |
| Long Distance Learning degrees | No |
| Online degree programmes | No |
JAMB is not required for admission into the Nigerian Law School. NYSC is also not a requirement — graduates may attend Law School before or after service.
Documents Required for the 2026 Bar Part I Application
Before you begin, gather the following:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| LL.B degree certificate | From a CLE-approved university in a Common Law country |
| Academic transcript | Must be forwarded directly from your university — not a personal copy |
| Completed Form A2 | Filled online on the NLS portal |
| Completed Forms B, B1, and B2 | Downloaded from the portal, filled, and forwarded via your university’s official email |
| Form B2 (employer reference) | Required only if applicable — forwarded from official employer email |
| Remita payment receipt | Proof of ₦30,000 application fee payment |
| Valid ID | International passport, driver’s licence, NIN slip, or voter’s card |
| Medical form | Completed at any government hospital — required at physical registration |
How to Apply for Nigerian Law School Bar Part I 2026 — Step by Step
Step 1: Pay the Application Fee on Remita
Go to www.remita.net. In the “Name of MDA” field, type Council of Legal Education. Under “Name of Service/Purpose,” select Application Fee. Pay ₦30,000 using your ATM card, bank transfer, or USSD. Screenshot or print your Remita receipt — you will need it immediately in the next step.
Step 2: Email Your Payment Receipt
Send a scanned copy of your Remita receipt to barpartone2026@nigerianlawschool.edu.ng. Your email subject line must carry your full name and application number (once assigned). In the body, include: surname, other names, RRR number, and date of payment. Also ensure your phone number in all correspondence starts with the country code (e.g., 2347045567789).
Step 3: Receive Your Login Credentials
After the school confirms your payment, you will receive an email containing your Application Number and Password. Keep these safe — your Application Number is also how you will check your admission status later.
Step 4: Fill Form A2 Online
Go to www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng and access the NLS Portal using your Application Number and Password. Fill out Form A2, Section A online and submit. Note your application number once generated. If your response to any question in Section C of Form A2 is “Yes,” download, fill, and print Form A2 Section C as well. If all answers in Section C are “No,” do not fill Section C.
Step 5: Download, Complete, and Submit Your Forms
Download completed copies of Forms A2, B, B1, and B2 from the portal. Forms B, B1, and B2 must be forwarded to the Nigerian Law School from the official email address of your university (and employer, if applicable). Do not send these from a personal email — submissions from personal addresses will not be accepted.
Submit all completed application documents to barpartone2026@nigerianlawschool.edu.ng on or before Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
Step 6: Ensure Your Transcript Reaches NLS Directly
Your academic transcript and completed Forms B, B1, and B2 must reach the Nigerian Law School from your university’s official email address by Friday, 17 July 2026. This is a separate, later deadline from the main application — but it is equally firm. Follow up with your university early to avoid delays, as transcript processing can take time.
Email to send transcripts to: reference@nigerianlawschool.edu.ng
⚠️ Late submissions will not be entertained under any circumstances. The school has made this clear in the official notice. Do not wait until the deadline week to contact your university.
Step 7: Check Your Admission Status
Use your Application Number on the NLS portal to monitor your admission status. The school posts Full Admission and Provisional Admission decisions online. Only candidates with Full or Provisional Admission are eligible to pay school fees.
Key Deadlines at a Glance
| Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Application form opens | Monday, 25 May 2026 |
| Application form closes | Tuesday, 30 June 2026 |
| Transcripts and references deadline | Friday, 17 July 2026 |
| Programme commences | Monday, 27 July 2026 |
NLS Campuses
After admission is confirmed, students are posted to one of the NLS campuses. All campuses run the same programme.
| Campus | Location |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bwari, PMB 170, Garki, Abuja |
| Lagos | Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island |
| Enugu | Augustine Nnamani Campus, Agbani Road |
| Kano | PMB 3568, Jos Road |
| Yola | Lamido Zubairu Way, Yola Township Bypass |
| Yenagoa | Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa, Bayelsa |
| Port Harcourt | Port Harcourt, Rivers State |
For technical support with your application: support@clenls.com For fees and payment queries: accounts@nigerianlawschool.edu.ng (Monday–Friday, 7am–4pm)
Frequently Asked Questions — Nigerian Law School Bar Part I Form 2026
When is the Nigerian Law School Bar Part I application form open for 2026?
The 2026 Bar Part I application opened on Monday, 25 May 2026 and closes on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. Apply at www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng. Late submissions will not be accepted.
How much is the Nigerian Law School Bar Part I application form fee?
The application fee is ₦30,000, paid through Remita to the Council of Legal Education. After payment, send your receipt to barpartone2026@nigerianlawschool.edu.ng to receive your Application Number and Password.
What documents do I need for the NLS Bar Part I 2026 application?
You need your LL.B degree certificate, academic transcript (sent directly by your university), completed Forms A2, B, B1, and B2, your Remita payment receipt, a valid ID, and a medical form completed at a government hospital. Forms B, B1, and B2 must come from your university’s official email address — not your personal email.
Can I apply for Bar Part I if I studied through Open University or online?
No. Degrees obtained through part-time study, Open University, Long Distance Learning, or online programmes are not recognised for Bar Part I admission. Only degrees from CLE-approved universities in Common Law countries are accepted.
When does the 2026 Bar Part I programme start?
The programme commences on Monday, 27 July 2026 at the Nigerian Law School Headquarters, Bwari, Abuja. Students are posted to their respective campuses before resumption.
Is NYSC required before applying for the Nigerian Law School?
No. NYSC is not a requirement for admission into the Nigerian Law School. You may apply before, during, or after your service year.
How do I check my admission status after applying?
Use your Application Number on the NLS portal at www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng. Retain this number from the moment you receive it — it is the only way to track your admission decision.
What happens after I receive admission into Bar Part I?
After receiving Full or Provisional Admission, you proceed to pay your school fees on Remita to the Council of Legal Education. Only admitted students should pay fees — any applicant not on Full or Provisional Admission who pays school fees forfeits the entire amount.
Final Thoughts
The Nigerian Law School 2026 Bar Part I application is open now, with a firm closing date of 30 June 2026. The application fee is ₦30,000 via Remita, and the programme starts 27 July 2026 in Bwari, Abuja. The transcript deadline of 17 July 2026 is a common point of failure — contact your university’s registry immediately rather than waiting. Start your application at www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng. If anything here is unclear or has been updated, drop your question in the comments — we respond to every one.
Source: Information in this guide is sourced from the official 2026 Bar Part I application notice issued by the Council of Legal Education and Nigerian Law School, signed by Mrs. Aderonke O. Osho, Secretary to Council and Director of Administration, May 2026. This page will be updated as soon as any changes are announced.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Admission requirements and deadlines are set by the Council of Legal Education and are subject to change. Always verify current information at www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng. CampusNinja is not affiliated with the Nigerian Law School and cannot be held responsible for changes made after our last update date.