Adequate funding, practical knowledge essential to law education in Nigeria – Prof. Hadiza Hamma
Professor Hadiza Hamma, an experienced law teacher at the University of Abuja and a Professor of Law, has emphasised the need for critical reforms in the Nigerian education sector to address various challenges like inadequate funding, infrastructure, and low teacher salaries, among many others.
Professor Hamma, who is currently the youngest professor in Yobe State, is also the first Harvard graduate in Development Practice.
With enormous academic achievements, clear goals and personal growth, Professor Hamma worked as a Legal Officer at the Federal Ministry of Justice before joining the University of Abuja as an Assistant Lecturer.
In an exclusive interview with Neptune Prime, she spoke about some key items that can transform the education system, especially the study of law in Nigeria.
She said universities and students alike can benefit from a combination of physical and digital facilities that enhance learning, collaboration, and practical skills.
“I’m particularly concerned about legal education. I can see the Council of Legal Education doing a lot, but especially from the faculties of law, I think there’s a lot that needs to be done.
Speaking from her experience as a professor with a federal government university, Professor Hamma noted that many facilities are lacking, and funding should be prioritised for effective learning and practical development.
“A lot needs to be done, for example, facilities for practising legal education, many times some of the faculties of law lose accreditation not because they don’t have a number of required teachers but because they lack facilities for moot court trials, which law students need for self-development as legal practitioners.
“You can not be a good lawyer without having learned how to do the practice. Those are some of the things that need to be changed.
Professor Hamma maintained that funding plays a critical role in the growth and development of universities, influencing the quality of education, research, infrastructure, and overall student experience.
“Funding, providing a lot of education facilities, and then I’d like us to pay more attention to practical aspects of education, especially legal education. The theoretical aspect is getting out of hand; it is getting outdated. So the earlier we begin to do more of the practice, I think, the better for us,” she said.
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