Overhauling the Contents of Islamic Law Courses in Nigerian Universities: An Overdue Phenomenon

Abstract

Set on historical context, this paper examines generally the problems hindering the effective learning of Islamic Law (Sharīʻah) in the citadels of learning in Nigeria. In doing this, the paper highlights the history of legal education especially, the high level of teaching and learning of Islamic Law in the pre-colonial Nigeria and the contemporary problems facing quality Islamic legal education due to colonial antipathy for Islamic Law as well as shortcomings in the content of Sharīʻah law curriculum of the Nigerian legal education system. Using doctrinal research method, the paper finds that scanty contents of the Sharīʻah law courses taught to combined law students in Nigerian universities go contrary to the aims and objectives of the founding fathers of the Islamic legal education in Nigeria. To achieve a turn round and improve the situation, the paper recommends the need for overhauling of the contents of all Islamic Law courses in the Nigerian Universities.