Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years, then Nigerian Law School and NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Law |
| Career field / body | Council of Legal Education; Body of Benchers; Nigerian Bar Association |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History, and any other Arts or Social-Science subject |
| Competitiveness | Very competitive |
On this page
- What Common Law is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Common Law & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Salary outlook in Nigeria
- Where it’s offered
- Is it a good course?
- Skills you’ll gain
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Common Law is about
Common Law is the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme focused on the received English common-law tradition that forms the basis of Nigerian law. It is often offered as ‘Common Law’ at universities that also run an Islamic (Sharia) law programme.
A brief history of the discipline
Nigeria’s legal system blends English common law, statutes, customary and Islamic law. The Common Law LL.B trains lawyers in the common-law core, following the same professional path as the general Law degree.
What you will study
You study the same core LL.B subjects — Nigerian Legal System, Constitutional Law, Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, Land Law, Equity and Trusts, Commercial Law, Evidence and Jurisprudence — with options and a project.
Why study Common Law & who it suits
Common Law suits students who read widely and carefully, enjoy argument and clear writing, and have the patience for large volumes of material. Strong English and Literature are essential.
Careers & where graduates work
Like the general Law degree, graduates can practise as barristers and solicitors (after Law School and Call to Bar), or work in the judiciary, corporate and public sectors, academia, NGOs and beyond.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Common Law follows the same pay pattern as the general Law degree — modest early on in small firms, high in top corporate and energy firms.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (junior associate) | ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Mid-level (3–5 years) | ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 |
| Senior / specialist (corporate, energy) | ₦700,000 – ₦3,000,000+ |
Figures are rough approximations (monthly gross) as of 2026, drawn from Nigerian salary aggregators. Actual pay varies widely by sector (oil & gas, fintech and multinationals pay far above the public service), employer, location (Lagos and Abuja pay more) and experience — treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
Where it’s offered: notable universities
Common Law is offered at many Nigerian universities (often alongside an Islamic-law programme), including Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Ilorin, University of Maiduguri, University of Jos and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, among others.
This is not a ranked or exhaustive list — always confirm the current institutions and their requirements in the official JAMB brochure, or use our subject combination checker and the Common Law admission guide.
Is Common Law a good course to study in Nigeria?
Common Law is the LL.B stream focused on the common-law tradition — with the same prestige, versatility and pay pattern as the general Law degree.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- The same prestige and versatility as Law.
- A high earning ceiling in corporate and energy firms.
- Transferable skills valued in many fields.
- The barrister-and-solicitor route via Law School and Call to Bar.
Challenges to weigh:
- Very competitive.
- A long path — the 5-year LL.B, then Law School and Call to Bar.
- Modest early pay in small firms.
- A heavy, continuous reading load.
It suits students with strong English and reading stamina, a love of argument, diligence and integrity.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Common Law builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Legal reasoning and analysis
- Persuasive writing and advocacy
- Legal research
- Attention to detail
- Negotiation
- Professional ethics
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
LL.B Common Law (5 years) → Nigerian Law School (one year) → Call to the Bar by the Body of Benchers → NYSC → legal practice. See our full Law course profile for the complete pathway.
How to get in: Common Law UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination for Common Law is Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History, and any other Arts or Social-Science subject. You also need five relevant O’Level credits including English Language. Confirm the exact requirement for your chosen university.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
- Use of English — practise CBT
- Literature in English — practise CBT
- Government — practise CBT
- History — practise CBT
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Common Law, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Common Law in Nigeria?
It typically takes 5 years, followed by the one-year NYSC.
What are the JAMB subjects for Common Law?
Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History, and any other Arts or Social-Science subject
Is Common Law different from Law (LL.B)?
It is the same LL.B qualification with the same professional path; 'Common Law' names the common-law stream, usually where a university also offers an Islamic (Sharia) law programme.
Do I still attend Law School with a Common Law degree?
Yes — like any LL.B, you must attend the Nigerian Law School and be called to the Bar to practise as a lawyer.
Is Common Law a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — it is the LL.B with the same prestige, versatility and career path as the general Law degree, so the same strengths and trade-offs apply.
Common Law vs Law (LL.B)?
It is the same LL.B qualification; ‘Common Law’ names the common-law stream, usually where a university also offers an Islamic (Sharia) law programme.
Do I still attend Law School with a Common Law degree?
Yes — like any LL.B, you must attend the Nigerian Law School and be called to the Bar to practise as a lawyer.
Does it pay well?
Like Law, early pay in small firms is modest, but top corporate and energy firms pay very well.
Sources: Course content and career pathways summarised from Nigerian faculties and relevant professional bodies; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.