CLE Announces May 2026 Bar Final Resit Results, 983 Candidates Fail

Council of Legal Education has released the May 2026 Bar Final Resit results, with 983 candidates failing and 885 candidates passing the examination.

According to the results approved during the council’s Third Quarter Hybrid Meeting held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, a total of 1,955 candidates participated in the examination. Out of this number, 983 candidates, representing 50.3 per cent, failed the examination.

The council disclosed that 885 candidates, representing 45.3 per cent of those who sat for the examination, successfully passed and met the requirements for progression in the legal qualification process.

In addition, 55 candidates recorded a conditional pass, while 32 candidates were absent from the examination. The results of 19 candidates were also withheld by the council pending further review.

When candidates with conditional passes are included, the total number of candidates who did not secure an outright pass rises to 1,070, representing 54.7 per cent of the total number of candidates who registered for and sat the examination.

The May 2026 Bar Final (Resit) Examination forms part of the qualifying process for admission into the Nigerian legal profession. Candidates who successfully complete the examination and satisfy other requirements are eligible for consideration for call to the Nigerian Bar.

The latest results highlight the rigorous standards maintained in legal education and professional certification in Nigeria, with a significant number of candidates expected to prepare for future resit opportunities in pursuit of qualification as legal practitioners.

The Council of Legal Education is responsible for regulating legal education in Nigeria and overseeing the training and assessment of prospective legal practitioners through the Nigerian Law School system.