By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike has flagged off the construction of over 600 – bed hostels at the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, one of the area councils of the nation’s capital.
Wike, during the flag off ceremony at the school premises on Thursday also disclosed plans are underway by the FCT Administration for the construction of a new auditorium that would cater for the growing numbers of students seeking admission into the school.
The minister explained that the hostel project ,comprising 316 spaces each for male and female students, fulfills a promise made by President Tinubu in December 2024 to address the school’s acute accommodation shortage.
“When there is good leadership, there is nothing difficult in achieving results. We will ensure this project is completed within 12 months without variation,” Wike assured.
He said the decision to construct additional auditorium was arrived following the discussion he had with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the state of current facility in which the President gave approval for the project.
“When I discussed with my son who was recently called to bar, he told me that even with the new hostels, the existing auditorium may not take all the students. I raised this with Mr. President last night, and he directed that another auditorium should be built for the Nigerian Law School,” the Minister stated.
Wike described the gesture as part of President Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to improving legal education in Nigeria, noting that the administration has already undertaken several projects within the institution through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
“This is leadership at work. In just two years, Mr. President has intervened twice in the affairs of the Nigerian Law School. Each visit has brought tangible development, from staff quarters to student hostels and now, the forthcoming auditorium,” Wike stated.
He commended the Attorney-General for his proactive partnership in advancing reforms within the justice sector, including the digitization of FCT High Courts, and lauded the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, for his visionary leadership.
“I have never seen a luckier DG. The kind of infrastructural transformation he has brought to the Nigerian Law School is remarkable,” the minister added.
In his remarks, Prof. Chiroma expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Attorney-General, and the FCT Minister for their sustained support, noting that the new hostels will significantly ease the accommodation challenges faced by students.
“Today’s flag-off fulfills the promise made to provide 300-bed hostels each for male and female students. This will go a long way in helping the Law School fulfill its mandate,” he said.
He also acknowledged Wike’s previous contributions to legal education, including the establishment of the Graham Douglas Campus in Port Harcourt, the Yenagoa Campus, and the donation of utility vehicles and staff quarters.
