By ANGELA ATBO

The 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 Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus.

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.

Wike expressed surprise that the institution had operated without a C of O since moving to Bwari.

“The lack of official documentation for government institutions is a trend that this administration is actively correcting.”

Wike directed the Director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O, and issued a firm directive to ensure the document is processed and ready within one week.

He noted that regularising the land is essential to move the school from what he colloquially termed an “illegal session” to rightful ownership.

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

Wike announced that 10 staff quarters have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of the President’s third anniversary.

He further pledged to construct an additional 10 units using existing prototypes to save on design costs.

According to him, work is progressing on two new hostels, one for male students and the other for female students to address overcrowding.

Wike said that he has approved the budget for a new auditorium and questioned why the contractor had not yet moved to the site.

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

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

“The president is currently constructing presidential apartments for judges to ensure their security, welfare, and autonomy.

“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.”

Earlier the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr Olugbemisola Odusote, commended the Minister on developments recorded and praised the visible infrastructure developments across the FCT.

Odutsote highlighted the specific challenges of disrepair and infrastructure deficits facing the Law School.(NAN)

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