By Balogun Tumininu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of Professor Abdulkadir Ibrahim Abikan as the substantive Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). This decision was made public through a letter signed by Mrs. B.E Jedi-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice.
Professor Abikan, a renowned lecturer in the department of Islamic Law at the University of Ilorin’s Faculty of Law, will be succeeding Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan. Professor Ladan, who served as the Chief Executive of the Institute for five years.
The appointment letter, dated December 5, 2024, states that Professor Abikan’s tenure will commence on November 25, 2024, and will last for a single term of five years. This appointment is in line with Section 8(1) & (2) of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Act, 1984, and Section 3 (6) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Act No 25 of 1996.