Legal

Legal Unit – National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC)

Head of Unit: Barr. Ikpe Ugwushime

Vision:

To establish a dynamic and efficient legal unit staffed with dedicated professionals committed to delivering high-quality legal services that support the Commission’s mission. The unit is also focused on law reform initiatives aimed at improving senior secondary education in Nigeria and addressing the issue of out-of-school children.

Mission:

To ensure strict adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks by providing expert legal guidance, upholding due process, and supporting the Commission in fostering a robust and sustainable senior secondary education system.

Mandate and Core Functions:

The Legal Unit is responsible for providing legal advisory services, handling litigation, drafting legal documents, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Its key functions include:

Legal Advisory & Representation:

Providing legal counsel on all matters concerning the Commission.

Prosecuting cases on behalf of NSSEC and liaising with external solicitors.

Representing NSSEC in collective bargaining and industrial relations negotiations.

Reviewing judicial decisions relevant to secondary education.

Contract & Property Management:

Drafting and vetting contractual agreements, leases, and tenancy agreements.

Overseeing insurance claims and ensuring adequate coverage for staff and properties.

Securing title deeds for all NSSEC properties and negotiating acquisitions for zonal offices.

Legislation & Policy Development:

Reviewing and preparing amendments to laws governing senior secondary education.

Drafting legal instruments such as deeds of guarantees and powers of attorney.

Engaging in legislative drafting and participating in National Assembly public hearings.

Ensuring alignment of State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) laws with NSSEC regulations.

Dispute Resolution & Compliance:

Handling legal proceedings and engaging in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as required.

Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2007 in all procurement processes.

Conducting legal verification of contracting companies through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other regulatory bodies.

Advocacy, Awareness, and Sensitization:

Organizing workshops on regulatory frameworks for NSSEC and SSEBs.

Conducting sensitization campaigns on legal issues such as exam malpractice, school violence, and the implementation of Safe School Initiatives.

Providing a focal desk for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to enhance transparency.

Key Projects and Initiatives:

Drafting and advocating for the NSSEC Amendment Bill.

Presentation of policy memoranda at the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE).

Engagement with educational stakeholders to enhance understanding and support for the NSSEC Bill.

The Legal Unit remains committed to upholding the integrity of the Commission’s operations by ensuring legal compliance, protecting institutional interests, and fostering a regulatory environment that enhances the quality of senior secondary education in Nigeria.