UNICAL Returns 214 Law Students to Former Departments

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has directed 214 students in its LLB II class who were not originally admitted into the Faculty of Law to return to their former departments, citing their ineligibility for admission into the Nigerian Law School under their current admission status. The decision was announced during a meeting between the university management, faculty officials and the affected students.

According to the university, only 221 of the 435 students currently in the LLB II class were officially admitted into the Faculty of Law. Management explained that students who entered the faculty through transfers from other departments would not qualify for the Nigerian Law School if they remained in the programme, making it necessary to reverse the arrangement.

As part of the implementation, the university said the portals of the affected students have been temporarily locked to facilitate their transfer back to their original departments. The management also announced measures to cushion the impact of the decision, including a full refund of school fees paid for the 2025/2026 academic session or free tuition for the 2026/2027 session in their former departments, with the cost to be borne by the institution.

The Law Students' Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNICAL Chapter, acknowledged the emotional impact of the decision on the affected students and urged them to remain calm while the process is being concluded. The association assured members that further official updates would be communicated as discussions continue.

The development is the latest in a series of reforms within UNICAL's Faculty of Law following previous controversies over admissions and Law School eligibility, with the university insisting that the latest action is aimed at ensuring compliance with existing academic and professional requirements.