The National Executive Committee of the National Association of NOUN Law Graduates has raised alarm over the continued exclusion of qualified law graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria from the Nigerian Law School since 2020.

The association stated that the prolonged ban had subjected hundreds of graduates to uncertainty, hardship, emotional distress and economic loss, despite the accreditation of NOUN's law programme by the National Universities Commission and the earlier admission of previous sets of NOUN law graduates into the Law School.

In a statement signed by National President, Comrade Adefowora Adedeji, and Secretary General, Comrade Adewole Ayobami R., the group argued that the exclusion contravenes Sections 34, 36 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect human dignity, fair hearing and freedom from discrimination.

The association anchored its position on the National Open University Act, 2018, which amended the 1983 Act and resolved the legislative gap that had previously weakened the university's legal standing. It argued that since NOUN's law programme carries full NUC accreditation and earlier graduates had already secured Law School admission, the continued exclusion of graduates raises serious questions of fairness, legitimate expectation, equality of treatment and administrative consistency.

"We therefore respectfully urge every authority responsible for legal education to ensure that its policies and decisions comply with the Constitution, the rule of law and the principles of fairness, equity and justice," the statement read.

The group called on the Council of Legal Education, the Nigerian Law School management, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other relevant authorities to resolve the backlog without further delay. It also appealed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and facilitate a lawful resolution.

"Our demand is simple, lawful, and just. We seek no special privilege or preferential treatment. We only ask to be admitted into the Nigerian Law School on the same basis as our senior colleagues from the National Open University of Nigeria who have already been admitted," the statement added.

The association announced a peaceful procession from Abuja scheduled for July 7 to July 9, 2026, during which petitions would be presented to relevant National Assembly committees and the Office of the Attorney General. The group described the action as a lawful exercise of constitutional rights aimed at drawing national attention to the matter.

It urged the 2026/2027 Nigerian Law School academic session not to exclude the remaining backlog of qualified NOUN graduates.