Baze University, founded by Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed – the running mate of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi – has been banned from admitting new law students for 5 years by the Council of Legal Education (CLE).
The CLE claims Baze has consistently violated the quota of admitting only 50 law students per year, leading to a backlog of over 347 students waiting to get into the Nigerian Law School. Baze has admitted over 750 law students since 2017, more than the quota would allow over 15 years.
However, some question the timing of the ban, coming just months after Datti Baba-Ahmed contested the presidential election and always questioned the results of the election. Is this move truly addressing a violation of admissions quotas, or is it political motivation to attack the University of Obi’s running mate?
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Baze University runs a 3-year LL.B program for some students without approval from the relevant education bodies, another justification given for the ban. However, established universities have faced questions about improper programs without such severe sanctions.
While CLE has explained violations of standards, the context has raised scepticism. The moratorium comes after years of exceeded quotas, conveniently timed during an election season where Datti poses a threat.
However, we must see solid evidence before alleging foul play. The violations cannot be simply ignored – standards exist for good reasons. But more transparency in the process and timing would have preempted suspicions.
Over 300 students wait in limbo for now, while Baze University must make reforms if it ever hopes to admit law students again. The CLE claims innocence, but the optics alongside Nigeria’s history breed doubt. Only time will tell if policies are upheld evenly or bent for political vendettas.
