The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced plans for the construction of a new auditorium at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari Campus, to accommodate the growing number of students seeking admission into the institution.
The Minister made the announcement during the official flag-off ceremony for the construction of over 600-bed hostels for male and female students at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
Wike noted that, the decision to build an additional auditorium followed discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who approved the project after learning of the current facility’s limitations.
According to him, “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 described the gesture as part of President Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to improving legal education in Nigeria.
He noted 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 emphasised 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 promised.
The Minister commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fegbemi for his proactive partnership in advancing reforms within the justice sector, including the digitization of FCT High Courts.
He also 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,” Wike added.
The Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their “unprecedented interventions” in legal education.
He described the projects as a true reflection of the Renewed Hope Agenda in action.
“It is an understatement to say I am happy I am elated. This marks the fourth major intervention for the Law School and Council of Legal Education under this administration. What we are seeing today is real leadership that delivers results,” he said.
Prince Fagbemi praised Wike for his enduring contributions to the Nigerian Law School, recalling his previous interventions in Yenagoa and Port Harcourt, where he built what has been described as the best law school campus in the country.
He added that, “From staff quarters to student hostels, every intervention has made teaching and learning easier,” he noted. “This is what true service and responsible governance look like.”
Also speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Hayatu 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,”Professor Chiroma 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.
The event, attended by senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Council of Legal Education, and management of the Nigerian Law School, underscored the government’s renewed commitment to improving the infrastructure and learning environment for future legal practitioners.