A Bachelor of Laws degree isn’t enough to become a practising lawyer in Nigeria. After five gruelling years in university, graduates must attend the Nigerian Law School (NLS) for a year before being called to the bar.
For 24-year-old Aishat Omotolani Jimoh, who recently passed her bar finals in the top 17% of her class, law school wasn’t just another academic milestone; It was the most transformational year of her life, and it cost nearly ₦3 million.
Here’s how it went.
The beginning: Why I Chose Law.
I graduated from the University of Ilorin in 2023 with a Second-Class Upper in Law. Like many art students, I chose law because it was considered the most prestigious field of study.
But it also went beyond that for me. I was curious about how society worked, especially in the context of politics, justice, and power. Government was my favourite subject, and law would help me understand the system better.
Getting into Law School
Admission into the Nigerian Law School isn’t automatic. Every Nigerian university has a quota; only 150 students from the University of Ilorin can attend each year. The system is based on academic performance and seniority, so many graduates, especially those from previous years, are often in the backlog.
After my convocation in October 2023, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get in immediately, and I didn’t want to be delayed for an extra year. So I signed up for NYSC, went to camp in November, and just decided to go with whatever came first. In January 2024, while en route to resume at my Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in Lagos, I received the admission news.
I was posted to the Port Harcourt Law School campus, but upon arrival, I discovered I had been reposted to the Abuja campus. I flew to Abuja, and my law school journey began in January 2024.
I had to defer my NYSC to focus fully on my studies. It’s illegal to do both simultaneously. NYSC requires physical presence, and Law school states that you must not work while in school.
The Real Cost of Law School? Almost ₦3 Million
The Nigerian Law School’s financial requirements are quite structured. Everything was foreseen, so there were no surprises.
The first bill I paid was ₦506,000, comprising ₦476,000 in tuition and ₦30,000 in application and other fees. But that was just the beginning.
Over the next 11 months, I would spend close to ₦3 million. This includes feeding, books, flights, clothing, transportation, medical expenses, and more. It doesn’t include Call to Bar expenses because registration hasn’t started yet.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Tuition and application: ₦506,00
- Textbooks: ₦100,000
- Flights (about five trips): ₦500,000
- Clothes and footwear: ₦100,000
- Feeding: ₦100,000 every 3 weeks for 6 months (~₦800,000)
- Snacks and stationery: ₦120,000
- Transporting belongings via cabs& co.: ₦130,000
- Medical tests before resumption: ₦30,000
My parents covered the full costs. It wasn’t easy, but they did their best to support me.
Cooking wasn’t allowed, so feeding costs were inevitable. On most days, I managed two decent meals. Breakfast often wasn’t possible because classes started as early as 9 a.m. and finished at 1:30 p.m. every day.
Some days, I spent ₦5k or even ₦8k on two square meals. On other days, I spent much less. Sometimes, I skipped proper meals entirely and just had snacks. Occasionally, I managed three full meals. Aside from food, there were other small but constant expenses like toiletries, personal care, and general upkeep.
I couldn’t even save. Law school took all my money. Anytime I went over budget, I dipped into my personal savings. It was insane. I was averaging about ₦100,000 every three weeks. Sometimes, I spent more, sometimes less, but I managed my spending well enough to keep it somewhat consistent.
The Academic Pressure Was Unreal
People say law school is tough, and they’re right. But it wasn’t just about external pressure; I was the one pushing myself. From the moment I received the admission, I started mentally preparing.
I watched interviews of past first-class students on YouTube. I followed and took advice from lawyers I admired on Twitter. I started reading from the very first day of lectures.
Studying for six hours straight was a warm-up. I could do 11 or 12 hours straight without breaks. I saw both sunrise and sunset from my reading desk. I didn’t complain about the stress because I had prepared my mind. My goal was to finish with a First Class.
Externship, Assessments and Bar Finals
In May 2024, we began our externship, which consisted of five weeks at a court and five weeks in a law firm, with short breaks in between. It was our practical phase, where we applied all that we had learned in school. When we returned in September, we did portfolio assessments, during which we had to defend our experience before a panel. The work wasn’t graded, but it was necessary to prove we were “fit and proper” to be called to the bar.
Then came Bar Finals in November 2024; six days of intense exams:
- One day for multiple-choice questions (20 per course in 60 minutes)
- Five days of essay papers, one course per day
We were examined in:
- Criminal Litigation
- Civil Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Property Law
- Professional Ethics
I revised like my life depended on it. I had a hectic timetable and surrounded myself with wall-to-wall notes, printed materials, and draft sheets scattered across my bed. I taped everything I could on my walls. It was chaotic, but it worked.
Beyond my regular lecture notes, I was studying an intense external material called Agbata. These are simplified lecture notes and slides from past NLS students, usually shared for free with new intakes. I also drilled myself with past questions from as far back as 10–12 years. I even added resit past questions and pre-bar papers from other campuses.
My peers and I would have discussions and quiz each other, and that helped a lot.
My Results Came With a Bittersweet Taste
The results dropped in April 2025. I didn’t even have the courage to check. I asked my friend to do it while I listened on the phone.
He said, “Second Class Upper.”
I whispered, “Subhanallah…(Glory be to Allah)” and then, “So I didn’t get a First Class?”
He replied, “Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah). Congratulations.”
I felt numb and indifferent. I had visualised a First Class so many times that I didn’t know how to process anything else. I had cried about it for a week back in January, before the results were even out. But by April, I had made peace.
I reminded myself that growth happened in the process, not just the outcome. Law School stretched me. But it also sharpened me. And for that, I am grateful.
Who Got Me Through It
My family showed up in every way, emotionally, mentally, and financially. My friends were the real MVPs; they constantly encouraged me, checked in, and prayed. My roommate was another blessing: peaceful, optimistic, and always rooting for me.
I tend to be slow at making friends, but the few I made during law school inspired me.
And more than anyone, me.
I was my own loudest supporter and cheerleader. I rewarded myself for every small progress. I read motivational quotes daily. I relied on God entirely and prayed like never before. Law School deepened my faith.
I gave everything I had to go through this process.
I deprioritised everything for Law School. I’m not even the most outgoing person, but whatever social life I had took a backseat. I gave up my entire 2024 for this one goal, because Law School was a one-time shot, and I wanted to do it once and do it well.
I sacrificed time, rest, and everything else. My family and I grew closer during that period, but our friendships were more laid-back. My focus was singular: pass the Bar Finals and make it count.
So, Was It Worth It?
Absolutely. I may not have graduated with a First Class, but I walked away with something even more valuable: proof that I can do hard things. And that’s priceless.
I’m proud to be graduating in the top 17% of a class of over 7,000 students. Law School is one of those experiences you can’t fully grasp through someone else’s words; you have to live it to feel its weight truly.
I sacrificed an entire year of my life for this. I gave it my all. And even though the outcome wasn’t exactly what I imagined, I stretched myself, pushed past my limits, and showed up for myself every single day, and that alone makes it worth it.
Once I’m remobilised for NYSC, I plan to pursue a career in Corporate and Commercial Law. That’s where my interests lie, and that’s precisely where I’m headed.
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