The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved a waiver on Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) fees for the Nigerian Law School campus in Bwari, Abuja, while also directing the rapid processing of the document within one week.
Law School raises concerns over infrastructure gaps
The decision followed an appeal by the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Olugbemisola Odusote, during a management meeting with the minister in Abuja, where she highlighted the poor state of infrastructure and long-standing deficits at the institution.
Wike reportedly expressed surprise that the Law School had operated for years without a formal C of O since its relocation to Bwari, describing the situation as unacceptable for a federal institution of such importance.
Immediate waiver and strict directive issued
The FCT Minister directed the Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, to waive all processing fees for the Certificate of Occupancy and ensure that the documentation is completed without delay.
He further instructed that the C of O must be fully processed and ready within one week, stressing the need to regularise land ownership for government institutions operating in the territory.
Wike also noted that addressing such gaps was part of ongoing reforms aimed at correcting administrative lapses across the FCT.
Emergency upgrade for staff housing and facilities
Beyond the land documentation issue, the minister declared an “emergency” on the construction of staff quarters and related infrastructure within the Law School, citing the need to improve living and learning conditions.
He confirmed that 10 existing staff quarters are already completed and scheduled for commissioning as part of the President’s third anniversary activities, while also approving the construction of an additional 10 units using existing designs to reduce costs.
Wike explained that the intervention was aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving staff efficiency within the institution.
New auditorium and broader education support
The minister also approved funding for a new auditorium at the campus, questioning delays from the contractor and urging immediate mobilisation to site.
He said the interventions align with President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to strengthen legal education and improve institutional infrastructure across the country.
Wike reiterated the government’s commitment, stating, “Anything we can do to help our children, we are willing to do that. The staff quarters must be treated as an emergency project to ensure rapid delivery.”
The development adds to ongoing updates in latest Nigerian news and continues to feature in breaking news Nigeria today reports across federal infrastructure reforms.