Department Overview
The Legal Unit of the Ministry is an extension of the Chambers of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation pursuant to Sections 150 and 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The Unit is presently headed by the Director of Legal Services and Legal Adviser, Barrister Mrs. Mercy Vivian Agada, who coordinates all legal advisory, legislative drafting, contract vetting, and litigation functions for the Federal Ministry of Education. She is assisted by eight lawyers posted from the Federal Ministry of Justice, together with six support staff.
Divisions: Secondary Education
Branches:
Key Functions:
- Policy development and coordination of secondary schools (public and private), ensuring alignment with national education standards and federal guidelines.
- Handles regulatory oversight and coordination with state education authorities.
Divisions: State and Private Secondary Schools
Branches:
[Specific branches not provided]
Key Functions:
- This division focuses on supervision, documentation, and regulatory engagement with both state-owned and private senior secondary institutions to ensure compliance with national standards. Education.
Divisions: Documentation and School Records
Branches:
[Specific branches not provided]
Key Functions:
- This division manages data systems, school records, statistical documentation, and reporting frameworks for senior secondary education nationwide.
Divisions: Unity Schools
Branches:
[Specific branches not provided]
Key Functions:
- This division oversees Federal Unity Colleges, ensuring standardized administration, academic quality, admissions coordination, and compliance with federal education policies.
Our Vision
To make justice accessible to all, consistent with the ideals of democracy and rule of law, and guaranteeing quality legal services to achieve the set goals in the education sector. The Legal Unit is dedicated to a law reform drive and initiatives geared towards improving educational laws in Nigeria.
Our Mission
To maintain the highest standard of professionalism, uphold the ideals of fairness and justice, sustain a healthy relationship between all arms and tiers of government, and deliver quality legal services in the education sector, ensuring that the Ministry follows due process of law in the discharge of its functions in order to achieve a robust and viable education sector and reduce conflict of roles and the number of cases pending in court.
Mandate
The Legal Department exists to provide the Federal Ministry of Education with comprehensive legal advisory, legislative, and litigation support, ensuring that the Ministry and its parastatals act in accordance with the law in the discharge of their statutory functions, and that the education sector is served by a sound and continually improving body of legislation.
Core Functions
- Litigation and alternative dispute resolution in courts and before Arbitral Tribunals on behalf of the Ministry and its parastatals
- Preparation, vetting, and perfection of legal instruments, including Deeds of Guarantee, Powers of Attorney, and Education Law Instruments, and perfection of Title Deeds
- Preparation and perfection of Title Deeds specifically for Federal Unity Colleges
- Searches, investigations, and liaison with regulatory authorities on legal issues concerning the Ministry
- Participation in negotiations, and preparation and vetting of Contract Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, international agreements, and other legal documents
- Representing the Ministry at local and international meetings, seminars, and workshops with a legal dimension
- Compilation of education sector laws into a compendium
- Attendance at meetings, including Procurement Planning Committee meetings of Federal Unity Colleges
- Convening a retreat for legal officers and administrators across agencies of the Federal Ministry of Education
- Liaising with the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Ministry and its parastatals on legal issues
- Liaising with the National Assembly on pending Bills affecting the education sector
Leadership
DIRECTOR
M. V. Agada (MRS)
Guided by this mandate, the Director of Legal Services carries the following schedule of duties on behalf of the Department.
- Rendering legal advice and opinion on all matters referred to the Unit from the Ministry and its parastatals.
- Litigation and alternative dispute resolution in courts and before Arbitral Tribunals on behalf of the Ministry and its parastatals.
- Preparation and review of laws relating to the education sector for purposes of amendment.
- Preparation, vetting, and perfection of legal instruments, including Deeds of Guarantee, Powers of Attorney, and Education Law Instruments, and perfection of Title Deeds.
- Searches, investigations, and liaison with regulatory authorities on legal issues concerning the Ministry.
- Participation in negotiations, and preparation and vetting of Contract Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, international agreements, and other legal documents.
- Representing the Ministry at local and international meetings, seminars, and workshops with a legal dimension.
- Preparation and perfection of Title Deeds for Federal Unity Colleges.
- Compilation of education sector laws into a compendium.
- Attendance at meetings, including Procurement Planning Committee meetings of Federal Unity Colleges.
- Convening a retreat for legal officers and administrators across agencies of the Federal Ministry of Education.
- Liaising with the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Ministry and its parastatals on legal issues.
- Liaising with the National Assembly on pending Bills affecting the education sector.
- Reviewing Bills sent by the National Assembly for Presidential assent.
- Handling litigation in court and before Arbitral Tribunals on behalf of the Ministry and its parastatals, and engaging in Alternative Dispute Resolution as necessary.
Organizational Structure
The Legal Department operates as a Unit. It has no branches or divisions.
The Unit is headed by a Director, supported by a Deputy Director, an Assistant Director, a Chief State Counsel, four Assistant Chief State Counsel, a Principal State Counsel, and clerical and support staff.
Divisions: Maintenance
Branches:
- Management services
- Facility management
Plant and equipment
1. Office allocation
Key Functions:
- The department is responsible for maintaining and preserving the Ministry’s physical infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and utility systems.
- It oversees repairs, renovations, preventive maintenance, and the upkeep of government assets to ensure a safe, functional, and conducive working environment.
Divisions: General Services
Branches:
- Transport Administration
- Utility Services (Telephones, PABX, Electricity Bills etc.)
Stores Management
1. Security
2. Insurance Services
Key Functions:
- The department is responsible for providing administrative, logistical, and support services that facilitate the smooth operation of the Ministry.
- It oversees office accommodation, transport and logistics, stores management, protocol services, and the coordination of general support resources required for effective service delivery.
Key Services
- Legal advisory services to the Ministry and its parastatals on all referred matters
- Litigation and alternative dispute resolution before courts and Arbitral Tribunals
- Preparation, vetting, and perfection of legal instruments and title deeds
- Review and preparation of education sector legislation
- Liaison with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly on legal and legislative matters concerning education
Key Programmes / Projects
- Legal retreat for legal officers across the Federal Ministry of Education and its parastatals and agencies
- Harmonisation and consolidation of education sector laws, and amendment of relevant legislation
- Participation in UNESCO meetings
- Production and development of Title Deeds for Federal Unity Colleges, and perfection of deeds for Federal Education Quality Assurance Service state offices
- Performance development of legal officers across the Ministry and its parastatals, and case monitoring
- Post-judgement compliance, appeals, and case monitoring
Achievements
- Secured judgement in favour of the Ministry in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/82/2025, brought by the removed Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, against the Minister of Education and two others
- Prepared contract agreements for all contracts whose files were forwarded to the Unit
- Vetted and cleared Memoranda of Understanding between the Ministry and proponents of education development seeking to partner with the Ministry
- Ensured the Ministry is properly guided and advised on all matters requiring legal advice
Images & Media
Contact Information
Main Office: Legal Department, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way Abuja, Nigeria P.M.B 146, Garki
- Email: legal@education.gov.ng