Is Economics Compulsory for Law in WAEC? Guide for Nigerian Students

If you typed “is economics compulsory for law in WAEC” into Google, you’re not alone.

Choosing the right subjects at O’Level (WAEC/NECO) and for JAMB UTME can feel confusing, especially when different websites and university pages seem to say different things.

This article gives a clear, accurate answer, explains the difference between WAEC and JAMB requirements, and shows how to pick subjects that keep your Law options open. It also points to official sources so you can double-check what matters for the exact year and university you plan to apply to.

Quick answer

No, Economics is not universally compulsory for studying Law in WAEC. Most Nigerian universities and the JAMB UTME subject combination allow Economics as a useful social-science subject but do not make it a strict, non-negotiable requirement for Law.

What matters more are the five (5) O’Level credit passes (including English) and the JAMB UTME subject combination you register; Use of English is always compulsory for UTME. Since rules can vary by university, always check the official admission brochure for the school and year you’re applying to.

Why students get confused (and why that’s OK)

Different schools publish slightly different lists of acceptable O’Level subjects. Some universities list Economics as one of several acceptable social-science or arts subjects for Law; other schools focus on English and Literature in English plus any two other arts/social-science subjects.

Blogs, education forums, and social media often re-post lists without showing the official university brochure, which spreads mixed messages.

The safe rule is this: secure the core O’Level credits and choose subjects that most universities accept for Law, then verify the specific wording from the target school’s admissions page.

Understanding the Difference between WAEC (O’Level) vs. JAMB (UTME)

WAEC (or NECO) is the O’Level exam that gives you the basic school-leaving certificates. Universities usually ask for a minimum of five credit passes at O’Level in relevant subjects. JAMB (the UTME) is a separate exam that requires you to register four subjects (Use of English plus three course-related subjects).

Both WAEC and JAMB matter for admission, but they’re checking slightly different things: WAEC proves you reached a minimum academic standard in certain subjects; JAMB tests and ranks candidates using a subject combination for the chosen course.

What JAMB officially asks for Law (subject combination)

JAMB’s subject combination guidance (as reflected in the Integrated Brochure & Syllabus System) shows that Use of English is compulsory for Law in the UTME. The usual practice is to pair Use of English with Literature in English plus any two other arts/social-science subjects such as Government, History or Economics — depending on the particular university’s listing.

In short: in UTME, Economics can be one of the acceptable subjects but is not always mandatory. That makes Economics optional rather than compulsory for UTME registration in most cases.

What universities say

University of Lagos (Unilag): Unilag’s official admission requirements for many arts and social-science courses require five O’Level credits in English, Mathematics, one Art subject and additional relevant subjects drawn from Arts, Social Sciences and Sciences. Economics appears among the acceptable social-science subjects but Unilag does not list Economics as the single compulsory subject for Law — instead they emphasize an Arts/social-sciences mix with English as essential.

University of Ibadan (UI): UI’s admission regulations list five O’Level credits including English plus any other subjects from Arts, Social Sciences or Science, and they list Economics among acceptable options. UI similarly treats Economics as an accepted subject rather than an absolute requirement for Law. This pattern repeats in many federal and state university brochures: Economics is welcome, helpful and sometimes recommended, but not strictly compulsory.

So where does Economics fit in practice?

Think of Economics as a strong supporting subject for Law, especially if you are interested in commercial law, corporate law, or law that touches business and policy. Economics demonstrates analytical thinking and familiarity with social science concepts, and it can help your UTME score if you are good at it.

But if your school forces you to choose between Literature in English, Government, History and Economics for the UTME, you can safely choose Literature and Government without losing eligibility for Law at most universities.

Practical subject choices for WAEC (O’Level)

To keep your options open for Law, aim for these five credit passes at one or two sittings:

• English Language (essential)
• Literature in English (highly recommended — many universities prefer it)
• Government or History (pick one)
• Any other Arts/Social-Science subject (Economics, CRS/IRS, Geography, etc.)
• A final subject to reach five credits (could be Mathematics or another accepted subject)

Different universities word their lists differently; the combination above follows the common pattern used in official admission guides. If you already have Economics, keep it — it adds breadth. If you don’t, focus on Literature, English and Government/History first.

Practical subject choices for JAMB UTME

When registering for UTME choose:

• Use of English (compulsory), plus
• Literature in English, Government (or History), and one other arts/social-science subject (Economics is fine here, but not always required).

If you pick Economics for UTME, make sure your WAEC also includes it at credit level (if possible) — sometimes departments prefer that you have the subject at O’Level as well. Double-check the exact UTME subject groups listed for the specific university and session because a university can specify slight variations.

What about Direct Entry and special cases?

For Direct Entry candidates (A-levels, ND/HND), universities normally accept A-level or HND passes in relevant Arts/Social Science subjects. Again, Economics can count as a relevant subject for certain pathways, especially for candidates with a social-science background. Graduate and mature-entry rules vary more widely, so contact the admissions office of the target university if you’re applying outside the standard UTME/O’Level route.

Tips that actually help your chances (not clickbait)

1. Prioritize English and Literature in English: Law admissions often look for strong language and comprehension skills.
2. If you enjoy Economics and can do well, include it: it helps in UTME and shows analytical skill.
3. Don’t overload on unrelated science subjects unless your chosen university explicitly accepts them: stick to Arts/Social-Sciences where possible.
4. Aim for 5 credits at a single sitting when possible ; it looks cleaner on your application. If you must use two sittings, be transparent and check the institution’s policy.
5. Read the official admission brochure for each school you apply to ; universities publish slight variations that matter at cut-off time.

Common FAQs

1. Is Economics required by JAMB for Law?

No. Use of English is required and Economics may be one of the optional subjects depending on the university.

2.Can I study Law without Literature in English?

Some universities accept direct entry or degree holders without Literature in English, but for UTME most schools prefer or list Literature as part of the subject combination. Check the university brochure.

3. Will choosing Economics block me from Law?

Not at all. Choosing Economics is safe and often helpful. It won’t block your chances unless a specific university explicitly rejects it: which is uncommon.

4. What should I do if my WAEC result lacks a required subject?

Contact the admissions office of your target university promptly and ask about acceptable alternatives or whether you can use two sittings. Many institutions provide specific guidance on acceptable subject substitutions.

5. Where should I double-check official rules?

The JAMB IBASS system and the admission requirement page (or brochure) of the university you plan to apply to are the primary official sources to confirm precise subject lists.

Practical subject matrices (realistic examples)

Here are a few realistic WAEC + UTME subject pairings that work for most Nigerian universities offering Law. Use these as templates; adapt to your school’s exact brochure wording.

Matrix A — Classic arts/social-science route (safe, widely accepted)
WAEC: English Language, Literature in English, Government, History, Economics (or another arts/social-science)
UTME: Use of English, Literature in English, Government, Economics (or History)

Matrix B — Language and civic-focused (good for litigation/constitutional law paths)
WAEC: English Language, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS, History
UTME: Use of English, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS

Matrix C — Business-law friendly (good if you like corporate/commercial law)
WAEC: English Language, Literature in English, Economics, Commerce/Business Studies (if available), Mathematics
UTME: Use of English, Literature in English, Economics, Government (or History)

How to handle two-sitting WAEC results

Many students use two sittings to collect five credits. That is normally accepted, but some institutions prefer five credits at one sitting. Here’s a practical checklist:

• Check the university’s brochure: it will state whether it accepts two sittings.
• If two sittings are accepted, keep your transcripts in order and make clear in your application which subjects came from which sitting.
• Avoid presenting mismatched grades (for example, presenting a credit in Literature from one sitting and a pass in the same subject from another); clarity helps admissions staff speed up verification.