RSU Breaks Ground for Advanced Law Research Centre as University, NCDMB Commit to Quality and Timely Completion
Rivers State University has commenced construction of the Centre for Advanced Law Research, marking a significant step towards strengthening advanced legal research, scholarship and intellectual development in the university, Rivers State and Nigeria.
The groundbreaking ceremony which was held on Tuesday 11th August, 2026, brought together the university management, members of the Faculty of Law, Physical Planning Directorate, project contractors and other stakeholders. The two-storey facility is designed to provide a specialised environment for advanced legal studies and high-level research.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, welcomed the commencement of the project and stressed the importance of ensuring its timely completion and utilisation.
Professor Zeb-Obipi noted that the project originated from the Faculty of Law and the administration of Professor Okogbule, with the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) subsequently supporting its development. He disclosed that the procurement and selection of contractors were handled independently by the NCDMB.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university had requested the Bill of Quantities and architectural drawings from the contractors to facilitate effective monitoring and accountability. He added that the University’s Project Monitoring Committee would supervise the construction.
He urged the contractors to maintain effective communication with the university, comply strictly with the approved designs and specifications and work collaboratively with relevant university authorities to ensure quality delivery.
Professor Zeb-Obipi further emphasised that proper coordination among all parties would be essential to achieving the desired outcome and ensuring that the facility is delivered to the required standard and within the expected timeframe.
In his address, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Clifford Nwayanwu, described the groundbreaking as the actualisation of a vision that had been in the planning stage for some time.
Professor Nwayanwu explained that the centre was conceived as a research-focused institution along the lines of the Institute of Advanced Legal Research at the University of Lagos. He stressed that it was not primarily intended for undergraduate teaching, but as a specialised facility for advanced legal studies, research and intellectual development.
He expressed satisfaction that the project had progressed from conception to physical construction following the award of the contract, and commended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for facilitating its commencement.
Also speaking, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of RSU, Professor Nlerum S. Okogbule, who initiated the establishment of the centre, expressed satisfaction that the vision had progressed to the construction stage.
Professor Okogbule explained that the initiative was driven by the need for a specialised platform for advanced legal research and scholarship beyond conventional undergraduate legal education. He appreciated the university administration and other stakeholders for sustaining the vision and expressed confidence that the completed facility would contribute significantly to legal scholarship and professional development.
The Acting Director of Physical Planning, Dr Captain Otto, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Dean of Law and the university management for their continued support for infrastructural development. He noted that the university had continued to provide facilities that support teaching, learning and the wellbeing of staff and students.
He described the Centre for Advanced Law Research as another valuable addition to the university’s infrastructure and expressed the hope that the contractors would execute the project strictly in accordance with approved specifications.
The contractors, assured the institution of their commitment to quality delivery and compliance with all technical requirements.
Emphasis was placed on effective coordination, communication and adherence to the approved designs and project specifications. An engineer assigned to the project was also expected to guide stakeholders through the technical drawings and other details to ensure a clear understanding of the scope of work.
The groundbreaking ceremony therefore marks an important milestone in RSU’s commitment to expanding its research infrastructure and creating specialised platforms for advanced scholarship.
When completed, the Centre for Advanced Law Research is expected to provide an enabling environment for high-level legal research, studies and intellectual engagement, further strengthening Rivers State University’s contribution to legal scholarship in Rivers State and Nigeria.
