Wike Waives C of O Fees For Abuja Law School, Declares Emergency On Campus Infrastructure

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted an immediate waiver of fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari Area Council.

Speaking during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja, Wike also declared an emergency on the construction of staff quarters and other critical infrastructure to enhance the institution’s learning environment.

Responding to an appeal from the director-general of the Nigerian Law School, Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, Wike expressed surprise that the institution had operated without a C of O since moving to Bwari.

He described the lack of official documentation for government institutions as a trend that his administration was actively correcting.

“I was surprised to hear that you don’t have a C of O. How can a government institution operate like that?” Wike queried, adding that regularising the land would move the school from what he called an illegal session to rightful ownership.

The minister directed the director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O, and issued a firm one-week deadline. “I want it ready within one week. No excuses,” he ordered.

Beyond land matters, Wike committed the FCT Administration (FCTA) to several high-priority projects aimed at resolving overcrowding and improving staff efficiency.

He announced that 10 staff quarters have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary, and pledged to construct an additional 10 units using existing prototypes to save design costs.

“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,” he said.

According to him, work was progressing on two new hostels, one for male students and one for female students—to alleviate overcrowding.

The minister confirmed he has approved the budget for a new auditorium and questioned why the contractor had not yet moved to the site.

To modernise administrative functions, Wike directed the school to liaise with the FCTA General Counsel to explore digitisation solutions similar to ongoing efforts at the FCT High Court.

Wike emphasised that these interventions were part of President Tinubu’s broader agenda to support legal education and the judiciary.

He noted that the President is currently constructing presidential apartments for judges to ensure their security, welfare, and autonomy.

Earlier, Dr. Odusote congratulated the Minister on his appointment and praised the visible infrastructure developments across the FCT, while highlighting the specific challenges of disrepair and infrastructure deficits facing the Law School.