Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has approved a waiver for Certificate of Occupancy fees for the Nigerian Law School in Abuja and directed urgent action on staff housing and other infrastructure at the institution.
The decision was announced during a meeting with the management of the school in Abuja, where concerns over land documentation, accommodation and other facilities were raised.
Wike approved the immediate processing of the school’s Certificate of Occupancy at no cost after learning the Abuja campus in Bwari had operated for years without the document. He directed relevant officials to complete the process within one week, saying government institutions should not continue operating without proper land records.
The minister also ordered emergency steps to improve living and working conditions at the school, especially through the construction of more staff quarters. He disclosed that 10 housing units had already been completed and would soon be commissioned, while another 10 units would be added using existing designs.
He also spoke on efforts to reduce overcrowding among students, saying work was ongoing on two new hostels for male and female students. In addition, he confirmed approval had been given for a new auditorium and sought updates on why the contractor had yet to move to the site.
As part of plans to improve administration at the institution, Wike directed the school to work with the FCT administration on digitising some of its processes, following reforms being introduced in other public institutions within the territory.
He linked the interventions to broader efforts by the current administration to strengthen legal education and improve support for the justice sector. He also pointed to other projects targeted at improving welfare within the judiciary.
The Law School management had raised concerns over infrastructure shortages and the need for urgent support, including accommodation and repairs. The meeting ended with assurances from the minister that the projects would be treated as urgent to improve the learning environment and staff welfare at the institution.