The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Centre for Legal Study, Research and Training to improve professional development, legal research and justice administration across the state.
According to Channels Television, the centre was unveiled on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Alausa, Ikeja.
The facility, established by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, is expected to support legal practitioners, government officials and institutions involved in the administration of justice.
Lagos attorney-general unveils legal centre
Speaking during the ceremony, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, described the centre as an investment in the future of the state’s justice system.
“There are occasions when we open a building or office. There are other occasions when we open a door to the future. Today, in Lagos, we are doing the latter — opening a door to the future,” Pedro said.
He explained that the facility would promote continuous legal education, institutional reform and research-based policymaking.
The commissioner described the centre as the first of its kind within a Ministry of Justice in Nigeria.
Lagos proposes public-private management
Pedro disclosed that the ministry planned to operate the centre through a public-private partnership arrangement.
Under the proposal, the government would provide oversight and policy direction, while private partners would contribute funding, expertise and operational support.
The centre is expected to undertake research, professional training and policy development.
Pedro maintained that the approach would help improve its long-term sustainability.
Falana urges preservation of legal history
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, called on the state government to use the facility to preserve Nigeria’s legal history.
He encouraged the ministry to maintain important court judgments and historical legal materials for researchers and practitioners.
Falana also urged the government to promote compliance with court decisions and strengthen legal education for customary courts.
He argued that customary courts deserved greater attention because of their role in resolving disputes at the grassroots.
Ministry proposes naming centre after Pedro
The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Hameed Oyenuga, disclosed that the ministry intended to seek approval to name the facility after Pedro.
He explained that the proposal recognised the attorney-general’s decades of service to Lagos State.
The ceremony also featured the recognition of former attorneys-general and senior officials whose contributions shaped the ministry.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
The government maintained that the facility would support stronger institutions and improve the administration of justice in Lagos.
