FCT Minister orders rapid regularisation of Abuja campus land and fast-tracks new housing and infrastructure to ease overcrowding

By ifeoma Onyekachi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved an immediate waiver of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) processing fees for the Abuja campus of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, directing that the document be issued within one week.

Wike made the announcement during a meeting with the institution’s management in Abuja, where he also declared an “emergency” on the construction of staff quarters and other key infrastructure to improve the school’s learning environment.

The Minister expressed concern that the Law School had operated for years without a C-of-O since relocating to Bwari, describing the situation as part of a broader pattern of poor documentation for government-owned properties. He said his administration is committed to correcting such lapses.

Acting on a request by the Director-General of the Law School, Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, Wike directed the FCT Director of Lands to waive all associated fees and ensure the title is processed without delay. He stressed that proper land documentation is critical to securing legal ownership and institutional stability.

Beyond land regularisation, Wike outlined a series of infrastructure interventions to address overcrowding and improve staff welfare. He disclosed that 10 staff housing units have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. An additional 10 units, he said, will be constructed using existing designs to accelerate delivery and reduce costs.

The Minister also confirmed ongoing work on two new student hostels—one for male and one for female students—to ease accommodation pressure. He noted that funding has been approved for a new auditorium and questioned delays by the contractor in mobilising to site.

As part of broader reforms, Wike directed the Law School to collaborate with the FCT Administration’s legal department to explore digitisation of its operations, similar to ongoing reforms at the FCT High Court.

He said the interventions align with the Federal Government’s agenda to strengthen legal education and judicial capacity, citing ongoing efforts by the administration to improve the welfare and security of judicial officers.

“Anything we can do to support our children, we will do it,” Wike said, emphasising that the delivery of staff housing must be treated as a priority.

Earlier, Odusote commended the Minister for ongoing infrastructure development across the FCT and highlighted the Law School’s challenges, including deteriorating facilities and inadequate infrastructure.