NOUN Law Graduates Triumphantly Called to the Nigerian Bar After Overcoming Hurdles

Abuja, Nigeria - In a landmark achievement, 203 graduates from the Faculty of Law at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) were officially admitted to the Nigerian Bar on July 9, 2025, in Abuja. This cohort was part of a larger group of 5,734 law graduates nationwide who were called to the bar.

This event marks a pivotal moment for NOUN, effectively resolving past obstacles that had previously hindered its law graduates from accessing the Nigerian Law School. The successful call to bar represents a significant victory for the institution and its students.

NOUN News spoke with several newly inducted barristers following the ceremony, capturing their personal stories of perseverance and dedication. These narratives underscored the resilience and determination characteristic of NOUN students.

Among those celebrating was Danladi Moses Dairo, whose journey exemplifies dedication and hard work. Dairo balanced his legal studies at the Abuja Model Study Centre in Dutse with his responsibilities at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Dairo remarked, "NOUN is a unique institution. The ability to work and study concurrently provided me with an invaluable opportunity to further my education. I am incredibly proud to be an alumnus of what I consider one of Nigeria's most esteemed universities."

His path to the bar began with the remedial program in 2021, leading to his admission to Law School in 2023 and culminating in his successful call to bar.

"Initially, there were challenges regarding our admission into Law School, but through the intervention of NOUN management and other key stakeholders, we were able to overcome these hurdles," Dairo explained.

"Many of us NOUN students performed exceptionally well in Law School, and now we stand proudly as members of the Nigerian Bar," he added.

Michael Alaba Abejiri from Kabba shared a similar account of overcoming adversity. Abejiri commenced his law degree in 2007 at the Lokoja Study Centre while simultaneously working with the Office of the Head of Service, Kogi State. He graduated in 2017 as part of NOUN's pioneering set of law graduates.

"I encountered numerous obstacles during my studies, but my determination kept me focused," Abejiri stated. "The course materials were exceptionally comprehensive and informative – so much so that even conventional universities utilized them."

Abejiri's experience during the special remedial program proved to be a turning point, both for his personal development and for shifting perceptions of NOUN law graduates.

"Our interactions with lecturers at the Nigerian Law School during the remedial program demonstrated our thorough understanding of the subject matter.

"We distinguished ourselves significantly, which helped dispel the misconception that NOUN law graduates were less knowledgeable than their counterparts from traditional universities," he emphasized.

Another distinguished graduate, Anemeje Israel Onuabuchi, who earned his LLB from the Lagos State Study Centre, offered his insights into the NOUN experience.

Onuabuchi, currently self-employed, highlighted the superior quality of NOUN's legal education resources and methodologies.

"My time as a student at NOUN was incredibly enriching. There is no doubt that NOUN possesses one of the best sets of materials ever assembled for the study of Law in Nigeria.

"We were trained to conduct independent research and exploration under the guidance of our highly qualified and readily available lecturers," Onuabuchi elaborated.

Reflecting on his time at the Nigerian Law School, Onuabuchi emphasized the outstanding performance of NOUN graduates during their Special Remedial Programme (SRP).

"We were exceptional during our Special Remedial Programme, and our conduct continues to serve as a benchmark for subsequent cohorts.

"During our Bar 2 program, the knowledge and experience I had already gained from NOUN enabled me to successfully navigate the academic challenges, leading to my passing the Bar finals," he explained.

Onuabuchi also underscored NOUN's progressive and forward-thinking approach to education.

The barrister further commented, "The traditional concept of classroom-based education is evolving. Virtual classrooms are becoming increasingly prevalent in the education ecosystem. This trend underscores the relevance of NOUN's technology-driven teaching methods. It is undeniable that NOUN is an institution that anticipated the future."

He concluded by recommending NOUN to prospective students and stakeholders, stating, "I would highly recommend NOUN to any student or stakeholder who wishes to embrace modern technology in teaching and learning."