Wike waives C-of-O fees for Law School, declares emergency on staff housing

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted an immediate waiver of all Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) processing fees for the Nigerian Law School’s Abuja campus in Bwari, while declaring an “emergency” on constructing staff quarters and other critical infrastructure.

Speaking during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja, Wike expressed shock at the institution operating without a C-of-O since relocating to Bwari. “I am surprised that a government institution like the Nigerian Law School has been operating without a C-of-O,” he said.

He described the issue as part of a broader trend his administration is correcting, directing the Director of Lands to process and deliver the document within one week at no cost. “ This is essential to move the school from what we colloquially term an ‘illegal session’ to rightful ownership.”

Beyond land regularisation, Wike committed the FCT Administration (FCTA) to urgent projects addressing overcrowding and staff welfare. He announced that 10 staff quarters are complete and will be commissioned during President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary celebrations. “We have 10 staff quarters already completed… I’m pledging to construct an additional 10 units using existing prototypes to save on design costs.”

Wike declared the project an emergency: “The staff quarters must be treated as an emergency project to ensure rapid delivery. Anything we can do to help our children, we are willing to do that.”

The Minister confirmed progress on two new hostels—one for male students and one for female students—to ease overcrowding, and revealed he has approved funding for a new auditorium. “I have approved the budget for the new auditorium—why has the contractor not moved to site?” he queried. To modernize operations, Wike directed the school to collaborate with the FCTA General Counsel on digitization, akin to efforts at the FCT High Court.

These interventions, Wike emphasised, align with President Tinubu’s agenda for legal education and the judiciary.

Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Olugbemisola Odusote, hailed Wike’s appointment as minister, praised FCT infrastructure gains, and appealed for help with the campus’s disrepair and deficits.