PAAU VICE-CHANCELLOR PROF USMAN VISITS FACULTY OF LAW, COMMENDS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CALLS FOR STRONGER MENTORSHIP
The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, on Tuesday, 18th February, 2026, paid a familiarisation visit to the Faculty of Law as part of his ongoing engagement with academic faculty of the University.
Welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Management, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Daniel Friday Atidoga, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as historic relief for the staff and students of the Faculty.
Prof. Atidoga noted that the Faculty of Law was among the pioneer faculties established alongside the University and has, over the past twenty-five years, gained strong recognition among law faculties in Nigeria and beyond.
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He explained that the Faculty has consistently reviewed its curriculum to meet the evolving requirements of regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE).
According to the Dean, the Faculty has recorded significant milestones, including securing full accreditation from the NUC for three consecutive cycles, with results of the November 2025 accreditation exercise currently being awaited.
He further disclosed that the Faculty attained full accreditation from the Council of Legal Education in 2023, which led to an increase in admission quota from sixty (60) to one hundred (100) students.
The Dean highlighted the impressive 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 recently.
Prof. Atidoga emphasised the Faculty’s commitment to practical legal education through its Law Clinic, which is registered with the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI).
Through partnerships with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) 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 the donation of a motorised borehole, concrete desks, books, and other learning materials.
The Dean added that the Faculty maintains strict intellectual, moral, and professional discipline, including enforcement of a regulated dress code aligned with global legal education standards.
Despite these successes, the Dean outlined major challenges requiring urgent intervention such as severe shortage of academic and non-academic staff, overworked lecturers due to increased student population; inadequate classroom and learning facilities and the Need for a 1,000-seat auditorium, modern moot court and expanded law library amongst other.
He expressed appreciation to the Visitor to the University and Governor of Kogi State, How Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for providing an enabling environment, and also acknowledged the contributions of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, for infrastructural improvements and landscaping within the Faculty.
In his response, Prof. Usman appreciated the Faculty for the warm reception and commended the Dean for his passion, dedication, and commitment to academic leadership.
He described the Faculty as a disciplined academic environment with commendable structural maintenance and strong academic output.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised mentorship as a critical pillar of academic development, stressing that mentorship should transcend family or personal affiliations and focus on nurturing future scholars and professionals.
He explained that the purpose of the familiarisation visit was to obtain firsthand information on institutional realities, after which implementation of solutions would commence.
Prof. Usman also congratulated the Faculty for its consistent production of First Class graduates at the Nigerian Law School, describing the achievement as a source of pride for the University.
He called on staff to continue supporting the government of the day under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, assuring that the University administration would pursue deliberate policies aimed at strengthening academic excellence and institutional development.
The Vice-Chancellor concluded by congratulating the entire Faculty for its achievements and encouraging sustained collaboration toward advancing the University’s vision.
The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the principal Officers of the University, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. J.J Orugun, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Oja Paul Egwemi PhD, Registrar, Barr. Segun Alilu, Bursar, Dr. (Mrs) Aminat Anuhi, Librarian, Dr. Oladimeji Yomi Peter’s amongst others.
– Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK
Dependent Writer.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 19TH 2026)
