In a previous story, we featured 24-year-old Aishat Omotolani Jimoh, a law graduate who had just passed her bar finals in the top 17% of her class. She told us it cost her nearly ₦3 million to attend the Nigerian Law School.
Now, just a few months later, she’s officially a lawyer. On July 10, 2025, she joined a record-breaking cohort of 5,728 new lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar. In this follow-up, she shares what it cost to make it to that final moment, what it felt like, and where she’s headed.
As told to Aisha Bello
I got my Bar final results in April 2025 and found out that I graduated with a Second Class Upper, ranking in the top 17% of a class of over 7,000 students. I had passed, finally nearing the end of law school. While I felt relieved, I knew it wasn’t over yet. Between April and July, there was still a lot to do. The Call to Bar is the last hurdle, and it comes with its own expenses and expectations.
The first thing I had to pay was the basic administrative fees:
- ₦40,000 for Call to Bar processing,
- ₦10,000 for alumni dues,
- ₦20,000 for enrolment,
- ₦5,000 for my practising fee.
That was ₦75,000 to begin the final round of preparations.
After the paperwork came the logistics. The Call to Bar ceremony was held in Abuja from July 8 to 10, 2025, at the Body of Benchers Complex. Mine was scheduled for the final day, July 10th, so I had to travel to Abuja.
I stayed with a friend while my family lodged with a relative, saving us accommodation costs. Even with that, my round-trip alone cost about ₦340,000. When I factored in what my family also spent on travel, the total trip cost easily shot up to ₦1 million.
My wig and gown were the most expensive thing I paid for — ₦350,000. I’d expected it to be pricey, but the final bill was more than I anticipated. That said, there was no room for compromise. The dress code is strict, and Call to Bar isn’t the day you want to get flagged for wearing the wrong thing. I wasn’t about to risk it.
Then my photoshoot and other personal expenses cost about ₦145k. After the ceremony, my family hosted a small gathering — a prayer session and a mini party. I don’t know how much it cost; they handled everything. It was their way of acknowledging how far I’d come.
The Call to Bar day itself was smooth. There was no drama, stress or delays. I’d followed all the dress code rules and instructions to the letter, and everything went as planned. We received our certificates on time, and the enrolment process, which now happens online, was quick and seamless.
Emotionally, the day was a mix of fulfilment and quiet reflection. I was proud of myself and of everyone else who made it. Law school wasn’t easy. This journey stretched us in every possible way. But as I stood there, I also thought about the people who didn’t make it. Some of my colleagues had passed away before they could be called. I shed a few tears for them. It felt deeply unfair that after everything, they weren’t here to share the moment they worked so hard for. May their souls rest peacefully.
Although there were other smaller expenses I can’t remember, if I had to estimate everything I spent, from when my results came out in April to the end of the ceremony in July, it definitely exceeded what I spent on law school, which alone cost close to ₦3 million. But Call to Bar, in its way, came with just as many demands, financially and emotionally.
Now that I’ve crossed that line, the next step is NYSC. After that, it’s time to start navigating the job market. I know it won’t be easy, but I feel ready.
This whole journey has taught me that competence alone isn’t enough. You have to be strategic, dynamic, alert, and adaptable. The legal profession is demanding, and Nigeria doesn’t always give you room to breathe. But I still believe the world is my oyster, as long as I stay on my ten toes, keep learning, and keep showing up with everything I’ve got.
I’m finally called to the bar. That chapter is done. Now, the real work begins.
Also Read: I Spent Nearly ₦3 million at the Nigerian Law School. Here’s How It Went.
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