By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate construction of a state-of-the-art auditorium for the Nigerian Law School to further improve infrastructure supporting legal education across the country.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made this known on Monday in Abuja during the flag-off ceremony for a new 600-bed hostel at the institution’s Bwari campus.
According to Wike, the President’s directive followed an assessment that the new hostel project would likely increase the number of students admitted, thereby creating a need for expanded lecture facilities. He explained that the move reflects Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the learning environment and capacity of the Nigerian Law School.
He said: “I was discussing with my son who by the grace of God was called to Bar in the last Call to Bar Ceremony …I said now that we are providing hostels that will take almost 600 students, does it mean that they will now admit more students. He expressed doubt about whether the auditorium will accommodate everybody, which means they require another auditorium.
“Luckily for us, I was privileged to meet Mr. President last night and I tabled this to him. He said, go back and make sure another auditorium is built for the Nigerian Law School”.
The FCT Minister lauded President Tinubu’s proactive leadership, noting that his administration’s intervention in the Law School has been more direct and impactful than that of any government since the Bwari campus was established in 1997.
Wike also commended the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for his unrelenting dedication to the development of the justice sector.
He said, “All we are doing in the justice sector today is because of his support”.
He further highlighted other notable achievements under the current administration, including the digitisation of the FCT High Court, describing it as a collaborative success made possible through presidential approval and budgetary backing.
The Minister equally praised the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School for his dedication to addressing infrastructural needs across campuses, pointing out the successful completion of a new hostel and auditorium project at the Yenagoa campus. According to him, “history will be kind to him” for his contributions.
Speaking about the new 600-bed hostel, Wike said it represents the second major intervention at the Law School within the first two years of President Tinubu’s tenure.
He recalled that following the earlier flag-off of staff quarters at the Law School, a promise was made—through the Attorney General—to provide modern hostel facilities for students.
He said: “Today, we are here to fulfill that promise that Mr. President made”, adding that the project will go a long way in reducing the accommodation challenges faced by students.
Wike confirmed that the construction, which has been awarded to a reputable contractor, is expected to be completed within twelve months.
At the event, the visibly pleased Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, commended the FCT Minister for his unwavering support to the Law School.
He said, “One thing I know is that you don’t promise what you will not do. Take it or leave it, love him or hate him, you will know where he stands on any issue,” comparing Wike’s decisiveness to a Computer Based Test (CBT), “which results are instantaneous.”
Chief Fagbemi also highlighted the Minister’s long history of contributing to the justice sector, recalling his interventions in Yenagoa and Port Harcourt even before assuming ministerial office.
He further confirmed that previous donations — including four Hilux vans, three Coaster buses, and the earlier flag-off of staff quarters — have been judiciously utilised.
Fagbemi expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for his consistent support of the justice and legal education sectors through the FCT Minister’s office, describing Wike as “our great benefactor.”
He also reiterated appreciation to both President Tinubu and the Minister of Justice for their roles in advancing infrastructural growth at the Nigerian Law School.