Professor Abugu Emerges Dean of Law, UNIABUJA

Raheem Akingbolu

A Professor of Medical Law and Ethics and the Head of Department of Private and Property Law, Professor Uwakwe Abugu, has emerged as the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, succeeding Prof. Abdurasheed Musa Yusuf, a Prof. of Islamic Law.

The election which took place recently was keenly contested by Abugu and Muhammed Muktar, both respected Professors and experienced administrators. The new Dean once served as the Vice Chancellor of Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State while Muktar, was a former Dean of the Faculty and one time Deputy-Vice Chancellor, (Academics) of UNIABUJA.

In his acceptance speech, Abugu commended Prof. Yusuf, immediate past Dean for his remarkable achievements and contributions to the Faculty. He also praised Prof. Muktar, for his significant impact on various aspects of the faculty while serving as Dean.

“While I’m commending my predecessors in office for their outstanding contributions to the development and positioning of the faculty, I promise to build on their achievements and take it further. One of my cardinal plans is to work with the management of the University to improve on infrastructural development as well as making sure that UNIABUJA Law Faculty becomes Faculty of first choice,” he stated.

Abugu, a Director of Sultan Maccido Institute for Peace Leadership and Development Studies, University of Abuja, obtained his first degree in Law from University of Calabar in 1994. He came out in Second Class (Honours) Upper Division and won several several prizes and awards for brilliant academic performance and the best graduating student in seven courses, including Land Law. On graduation at the Nigerian Law School, where he won two awards for the Best Graduating Student in Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure, Abugu was invited alongside five other best graduating students in Bar Final Examination to compete for the Danley Alexander Scholarship.

After obtaining his Master of Laws (L.LM) Degree from the Obafemin Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Abugu joined the academic staff of the University of Ilorin as an Assistant Lecturer.

Prof. Abugu once served as Special Assistant to Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Among other professional offices and recognitions, the new Dean is; Director General, Institute of Medical and Health Law(IMHL), President, Medical Law Professionals Association of Nigeria (MELPAN) and President, Lifeline Centre for Medical and Health Rights Advocacy. He is also a Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration; and Associate, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.

Prof. Abugu, who is the author of Land Use and Reform in Nigeria: Law and Practice(2012), has published widely in both local and international journals.

He is happily married to his Learned Friend, Barr. Nkechi Uwakwe-Abugu and they are blessed with two children, Nmachinemelum and Jidechukwu.