The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated the construction of over 600-bed hostels for male and female students at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja.

Mr Wike, during the inauguration on Monday in Abuja, also announced plans for the construction of a new auditorium to accommodate the growing number of students seeking admission into the institution.

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

“I raised the issue with Mr President, and he directed that another auditorium should be built for the Nigerian Law School,” he said.

Mr Wike described the gesture as part of Mr 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, 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,” Mr Wike said.

He explained that the hostel project, comprising 316 spaces each for male and female students, fulfills a promise made by the president 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.

Mr Wike commended the attorney-general for his proactive partnership in advancing reforms within the justice sector, including the digitisation of FCT High Courts.

He also lauded the director-general of the Nigerian Law School, Isa Chiroma, for his visionary leadership.

“I have never seen a luckier DG like him, the kind of infrastructural transformation he has brought to the Nigerian Law School is remarkable,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Chiroma expressed appreciation to the  president, the attorney-general, and the FCT minister for their sustained support.

Mr Chiroma noted that the new hostels would 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 to 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. 

(NAN)