Department of
Public Law
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Welcome to Department of Public Law
Welcome to the Department of Public Law. The Department occupies a central position within the Faculty of Law, focusing on the study of legal principles and institutions that regulate the relationship between the state and individuals, as well as the administration of justice in society.
Our teaching and research cover a broad range of core public law subjects, including Criminal Law, Law of Evidence, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Criminology, and Child Law. These courses are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the structures of governance, the protection of fundamental rights, and the operation of the criminal justice system.
In addition, the Faculty offers several interdisciplinary courses across departments, including Gender and the Law, Law and Religion, and Legal Research and Writing, which further enrich students’ academic experience and broaden their engagement with contemporary legal and social issues.
The Department also works closely with the Centre for Human Rights, which provides a platform for scholarly research and engagement in the broad field of human rights. Through the activities of the Centre, researchers undertake important studies on human rights issues while students participate in outreach initiatives aimed at promoting awareness, advocacy, and the protection of human rights within the wider community.
Prof. Emmanuel Olugbenga Akingbehin
Head of Department (HOD)
Our Vision
To be the pace-setting and incomparable Faculty of Law in Nigeria and beyond, renowned for producing graduates distinguished by excellence in research, learning, and character.
Our Mission
To provide a platform of the highest academic standards in legal education and research, fostering rigorous scholarship, ethical values, and intellectual development for the advancement of law and society.
About Public Law Department
The Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law hosts the University’s Centre for Human Rights, which was established in 2000 with a take-off grant from the Ford Foundation. The objectives of the Centre for Human Rights include: providing opportunities for the development of skills and knowledge in all areas of human rights study and work; promotion of constant interaction and exchange of ideas in the area of human rights through workshops, conferences, seminars and similar programmes; encouraging the development of academic exchanges and linkages between the Faculty and other faculties at individual as well as institutional levels, within and outside Nigeria; promotion of the recognition of and respect for human rights among the populace, through the development and implementation of programmes of formal and informal education resources, through publications and the development of audio visual materials to support human rights training, research and advocacy, among others.
Recently, the Centre entered into a formal relationship with Amnesty International in Nigeria under a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and Amnesty International. Under the agreement, the Centre runs a Human Rights Clinic with student membership.
The Center conducts annual human rights conferences and provides legal advisory to sub regional and regional institutions. It has received support from MacArthur Foundation, Women’s Rights Advancement Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Above Whispers and Center for Reproductive Rights.
Programmes
Take a significant step in your career journey by investing in your professional development through our faculty’s specialized certificate programs, designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in a focused area of study.
Undergraduate Programmes
Postgraduate Programmes
Student Opportunities
Discover the exciting opportunities awaiting students within this department. Here, you can explore pathways for intellectual growth, engage in stimulating learning experiences, and lay the foundation for future academic and professional success in a specific field of study.
