The founders of the University of Nigeria aimed to relate its activities to the social and economic needs and the day-to-day life of the people of Nigeria, hence its philosophy. “To Restore the Dignity of Man”. In keeping with that broad philosophy of the University, the programme of the Faculty is based on the basic philosophy that law operates within a social set up and must therefore be understood from that background. Legal training in this Faculty seeks to give students an understanding of the following:
1. The nature of law and its function both in the administration of justice and in the operation of the other activities of a modern state.
2. The processes employed in determining what the law is and applying its rules to new situations.
3. The organizing of the legal profession and the machinery of justice.
4. The general principles of the more basic legal subjects.
5. The relationship of law to the other social sciences and to the general framework of society.
Consequently, a graduate of this Faculty should be in the position to fit conveniently into all spheres of life where knowledge is a requisite.
The curriculum of the Faculty is designed both for those who after obtaining the LL.B degree may wish to proceed to the Nigerian Law School and qualify as legal practitioners in Nigeria, and for those who may wish to obtain the degree as a qualification for employment in international and national agencies, federal, state and local governments, public and other statutory corporations, industrial, commercial and other enterprises. At the undergraduate level, the majority of students are admitted into the standard five-year programme through the J.A.M.B. Entrance Examinations. There is also a four-year programme, which is open to a limited number of candidates who already possess University degrees, diplomas and GCE A/Level. At the postgraduate level, the Faculty is endowed with sufficient research facilities to enable it offer courses leading to the award of LL.M, M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.

The Faculty has three academic departments, namely:

  • The Department of commercial and Property Law;
  • The Department of International Law and Jurisprudence; and
  • The Department of Public and Private Law.

The Faculty is proposing some reforms which will lead to the creation of more departments in the Faculty and the introduction of new courses so as to position it to meet contemporary global demands. The proposal is before the University Senate for consideration and approval.