Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has granted an immediate waiver of all fees for the Certificate of Occupancy for the Nigerian Law School’s Abuja campus in Bwari, while simultaneously declaring an “emergency” on the construction of staff quarters and other critical infrastructure to enhance the institution’s learning environment. Speaking during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja on Thursday, Wike expressed shock that the institution had operated without a C of O since relocating to Bwari, describing the lack of official documentation for government institutions as a trend his administration is actively correcting. The Minister directed the Director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O and issued a firm directive to ensure the document is processed and ready within one week. He noted that regularising the land is essential to move the school from what he colloquially termed an “illegal session” to rightful ownership.
Responding to an appeal from the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, Wike also committed the FCT Administration to several high‑priority projects aimed at resolving overcrowding and improving staff welfare. He announced that ten staff quarters have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of the President’s third anniversary celebrations. He further pledged to construct an additional ten units using existing prototypes to save on design costs. According to the Minister, work is progressing on two new hostels, one for male students and one for female students, to alleviate chronic overcrowding that has plagued the institution for years. Wike confirmed that he has approved the budget for a new auditorium and questioned why the contractor had not yet moved to the site, indicating his impatience with delays.
To modernise administrative functions, Wike directed the school to liaise with the FCTA General Counsel to explore digitisation solutions similar to ongoing efforts at the FCT High Court. He emphasised that these interventions are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to support legal education and the judiciary, noting that the President is currently constructing “presidential apartments” for judges to ensure their security, welfare, and autonomy. “Anything we can do to help our children, we are willing to do that,” Wike stated, adding that the staff quarters must be treated as an emergency project to ensure rapid delivery. The Minister’s use of the word “emergency” signals that the FCTA will fast‑track approvals, mobilisation, and construction to address the dire living conditions of law school staff who have long complained about inadequate accommodation.
The Nigerian Law School’s Abuja campus, located in Bwari Area Council, has been a subject of infrastructural decay and capacity challenges for years. The institution, which produces the bulk of Nigeria’s legal graduates, has faced persistent criticism over overcrowded hostels, dilapidated lecture halls, and poor staff welfare. The absence of a Certificate of Occupancy, as revealed by Wike, is a significant administrative oversight that could have hindered the school’s ability to access federal funding, execute capital projects, or even secure its land rights. By waiving the fees, which according to FCT land regulations can run into millions of naira depending on the size and location of the property, the Minister has removed a major bureaucratic hurdle.
Dr. Olugbemisola Odusote, the Director General, had earlier congratulated Wike on his appointment and praised the visible infrastructure developments across the FCT while highlighting the specific challenges of disrepair and infrastructure deficits facing the Law School. She appealed for the Minister’s intervention in regularising the school’s land ownership, completing stalled projects, and providing staff housing. Wike’s response exceeded expectations, as he not only agreed to the C of O waiver but also ordered an audit of all outstanding projects and directed immediate action on the new auditorium and hostels.
The Minister’s declaration of an “emergency” on staff housing is particularly significant. For years, lecturers and administrative staff at the Nigerian Law School have struggled with accommodation, with many forced to rent expensive apartments far from the campus or commute long distances. The completion of ten staff quarters and the promise of ten more will provide a measure of relief and boost morale. Wike’s insistence on using existing prototypes to save design costs reflects a pragmatic approach to public spending, ensuring that funds are directed toward actual construction rather than extended planning.
The move also aligns with Wike’s reputation as a no‑nonsense administrator who prioritises deliverables over bureaucracy. Since his appointment as FCT Minister, he has embarked on an aggressive infrastructure drive, including the rehabilitation of major roads, mass transit projects, and the construction of judges’ quarters. His focus on the Nigerian Law School is a nod to the importance of legal education in sustaining democracy and the rule of law. By ensuring that the institution has a valid C of O and adequate facilities, Wike is helping to create an environment where future lawyers can be trained without the distraction of dilapidated infrastructure.
Reactions to the announcement have been largely positive. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in an informal reaction, described the waiver as “long overdue” and commended the Minister for his swift action. Students and staff of the Bwari campus expressed relief, noting that the lack of a C of O had been a source of uncertainty for years. Some legal practitioners, however, questioned how the school was allowed to operate without a C of O for so long, pointing to systemic failures in previous administrations. Wike seemed to acknowledge this failure when he said that his administration is actively correcting the trend of government institutions lacking proper documentation.
The Minister’s directive that the C of O be processed and ready within one week is ambitious, given the usual bureaucratic delays at the FCT Lands Department. However, with a direct order from the Minister and the waiver of fees, the process is likely to be expedited. The FCT Director of Lands has been directed to prioritise the application.
As the Nigerian Law School prepares to benefit from these interventions, the spotlight now turns to the contractors handling the hostels, auditorium, and staff quarters. Wike’s questioning of why the auditorium contractor had not mobilised to site suggests that he will be monitoring progress closely. For the students and staff of the Law School, the era of “illegal session” may finally be coming to an end, replaced by a season of renewed hope and infrastructure.
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