By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has approved an immediate waiver of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees for the Nigerian Law School Abuja campus in Bwari, as he declared an emergency on staff housing and infrastructure at the institution.
Wike gave the directive following an appeal by the Director-General, Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja,
The minister expressed concern that the institution had operated for years without a C-of-O, describing it as part of a wider trend his administration is addressing.
He directed the FCT Director of Lands to waive all processing fees and ensure the document is ready within one week.
The minister said regularising the land status was necessary to secure legal ownership and strengthen the institution’s operations.
Wike announced that 10 staff quarters have been completed and will be commissioned as part of activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary.
He also approved the construction of an additional 10 units using existing designs to cut costs and speed delivery.
Two new hostels—one for male and one for female students—are underway to ease overcrowding, while funding has been approved for a new auditorium, he disclosed.
He queried delays by the contractor and urged immediate mobilisation to site.
Wike directed the school to collaborate with the FCTA General Counsel on digitising administrative processes to improve efficiency in line with ongoing reforms at the FCT High Court.
Wike disclosed that the interventions align with the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen legal education and judicial institutions, including ongoing welfare initiatives for judges.
Earlier, Odusote commended the minister for ongoing infrastructure development in the territory, and drew attention to the Law School’s pressing infrastructure challenges.
Wike reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving learning conditions for lawyers, stressing that delivery of staff housing would be treated as an emergency.
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