Wike Flags Off Construction Of 632-bed Hostels, Unveils Plan For New Law School Auditorium

The Nigerian Law School’s Bwari Campus is set for a significant infrastructure boost with the flag-off of over 600-bed new hostels and a surprise announcement for a brand-new auditorium, approved directly by President Bola Tinubu.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made the revelations on Monday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the 632-bed hostels project, framing the developments as a testament to the President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming legal education.

According to the minister, the decision to build an additional auditorium followed discussions with President Tinubu, who approved the project after learning of the current facility’s limitations.

“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,” he said.

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.

The minister 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,” he assured.

He commended the Attorney-General for his proactive partnership in advancing reforms within the justice sector, including the digitisation 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 Director-General. The kind of infrastructural transformation he has brought to the Nigerian Law School is remarkable,” Wike added.

Prof. Chiroma, in his remarks, 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.

The event was attended by senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Council of Legal Education, and management of the Nigerian Law School.