DG reveals 888 candidates fail Nigerian bar exam, calls for judicial reform

Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, has disclosed that a total of 888 candidates did not pass the final bar examination held in November 2023 out of the 5,300 who took the exam.

He revealed this information during the call-to-bar ceremony in Abuja, where he presented 4,412 successful candidates from the same examination. Among the successful candidates, 251 achieved first-class grades, marking an exceptional performance, according to Chiroma.

During the event, the chairman of the Body of Benchers, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter-Odili, expressed concerns about the current state of the judiciary, citing conflicting judgments and indiscipline among lawyers as contributing factors to the dwindling confidence in the legal system. To address this issue, the Body of Benchers has formed a committee comprising esteemed members of the legal profession tasked with finding solutions to the problem of conflicting judgments.

Peter-Odili advised the newly called lawyers to uphold integrity and avoid any behavior that could tarnish the judiciary’s image.

She emphasized the significance of their entry into the legal profession during a crucial period, acknowledging both positive developments, such as the Supreme Court’s full complement of justices and increased funding for the judiciary, and challenges that need to be addressed for the betterment of the legal system.

Notable among the new lawyers was former Governor of Rivers State and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi.