The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approved a full waiver of all fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Abuja campus of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, while also declaring an emergency on the institution’s housing and infrastructure.
The decision was announced on Thursday during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja, following concerns raised by the Director-General, Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote.
Wike expressed concern that the Law School had operated for years without proper land documentation since relocating to Bwari, describing the situation as unacceptable. He noted that such administrative lapses were common across public institutions and assured that his administration was taking steps to correct them.
He directed the Director of Lands to immediately waive all processing fees and ensure the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy within one week. The minister emphasized that securing legal ownership documents should have been a priority when the institution first moved to its current site.
Beyond documentation, Wike outlined several interventions aimed at addressing infrastructure challenges and overcrowding at the campus.
He revealed that 10 staff housing units have already been completed and are set for commissioning as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office. Plans are also in place to construct an additional 10 units using existing designs to accelerate delivery and reduce costs.
The minister further disclosed that work is ongoing on two new hostels—one for male students and another for female students—to ease congestion within the campus.
In addition, Wike confirmed approval of funds for the construction of a new auditorium, while expressing dissatisfaction over delays by the contractor handling the project.
He stated that these interventions align with the broader agenda of the Tinubu administration to strengthen legal education and improve judicial infrastructure nationwide, including providing residential facilities for judges.
Earlier, Odusote commended the minister for ongoing development efforts across the FCT and highlighted the Law School’s pressing needs, including deteriorating facilities and inadequate infrastructure.
The Abuja campus of the Nigerian Law School, located in Bwari, serves as the headquarters of the country’s mandatory vocational training institution for law graduates. Since relocating from Lagos in 1997, the school has expanded into a multi-campus system to meet rising demand, with recent government efforts focused on improving student accommodation and learning facilities.
