PAAU Vice-Chancellor Commends Faculty of Law for "First Class" Consistency and Pro Bono Impact

The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, on Tuesday, 18 February 2026, paid a familiarization visit to the Faculty of Law as part of his ongoing engagement with the University’s academic units.

Welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Management, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Daniel Friday Atidoga, expressed deep appreciation for the visit, describing it as both historic and reassuring for staff and students. He noted that the Faculty of Law is one of the University’s pioneer faculties and has, over the past twenty-five years, earned strong recognition among law faculties in Nigeria and beyond.

Prof. Atidoga explained that the Faculty has maintained a culture of continuous curriculum review to align with the evolving requirements of regulatory bodies, including the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education. He disclosed that the Faculty has secured full accreditation from the NUC for three consecutive cycles, while the outcome of the November 2025 accreditation exercise is currently being awaited.

Highlighting further progress, the Dean stated that the Faculty obtained full accreditation from the Council of Legal Education in 2023, resulting in an increase in its admission quota from sixty (60) to one hundred (100) students. He also commended the outstanding performance of students at the Nigerian Law School, noting that the Faculty consistently produces First Class graduates, with five students achieving First Class honours in a single session in a recent academic year in the Bar final examination at the Law School.

Prof. Atidoga underscored the Faculty’s commitment to practical legal education through its Law Clinic, which is registered with the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions. Through partnerships with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa and NULAI Nigeria, the Faculty provided free legal services to 34 pre-trial detainees, many of whom had spent an average of two years awaiting trial.

He acknowledged the contributions of alumni, staff, and students toward infrastructural development, including donations of a motorized borehole, concrete desks, books, and other learning resources. 

The Dean further emphasized the Faculty’s strong tradition of intellectual, moral, and professional discipline, including the enforcement of a regulated dress code consistent with global legal education standards.

Despite these achievements, Prof. Atidoga outlined critical challenges requiring urgent intervention. These include a severe shortage of academic and non-academic staff, excessive workload on lecturers due to increased student enrolment, inadequate classroom and learning facilities, and the need for a 1,000-seat auditorium, a modern moot court, and an expanded law library.

He expressed gratitude to the Visitor to the University and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for providing an enabling environment for the University. He also acknowledged the contributions of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, particularly in infrastructural improvements and landscaping within the Faculty.

In his response, Prof. Usman thanked the Faculty for the warm reception and commended the Dean for his passion, dedication, and exemplary academic leadership. He described the Faculty as a disciplined academic environment distinguished by strong structural maintenance and impressive academic output.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized mentorship as a cornerstone of academic and professional development, stressing that mentorship should extend beyond personal or familial affiliations to focus on nurturing future scholars and legal professionals. He explained that the purpose of the familiarization visits is to obtain firsthand insight into institutional realities, which will guide subsequent policy actions and interventions.

Prof. Usman congratulated the Faculty for its consistent production of First Class graduates at the Nigerian Law School, describing the accomplishment as a source of pride for the University. He encouraged staff to remain committed to excellence and to continue supporting the government’s efforts in advancing education under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The Vice-Chancellor concluded by congratulating the entire Faculty for its achievements and called for sustained collaboration toward the realization of the University’s vision.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by principal officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor J. J. Orugun; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Oja Paul Egwemi; Registrar, Barr. Segun Alilu; Bursar, Dr. (Mrs.) Aminat Anuhi; and University Librarian, Dr. Oladimeji Yomi Peter, among others.