CENTER FOR ISLAMIC LEGAL STUDIES

Background

Soon after independence, the need arose for the introduction of a legal system that would administer the Islamic Law in both personal, civil and criminal matters been handled by the Alkalis and Magistrates within the spheres of the then Northern Nigeria.A Committee under the chairmanship of late Alhaji Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, was set up by the late Premier Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, which later recommended the establishment of the Centre for Islamic Legal Studies.
The Centre was built and formally opened on 22nd March, 1971 by Col. Musa Usman the then Military Governor of North Eastern State of Nigeria.
The Cetnre, as an organized Research Departmen t, has made its mark felt in the field of Sharia and Islamic Studies in general.  In addition, it had and is still providing facilities to scholars for their research work, and to students pursuing various degrees and sub-degrees.
In summary, the Centre’s aims and objectives is to train Alkalis, judges and judicial officers, document and provide facilities for research in the Islamic Law generally.  The Centre, as of now, is offering the following courses:

• Diploma in Sharia and Civil Law – 2 years
• Higher Diploma in Sharia and Civil Law – 1 year
• Basic Judicial Course – 2 months
• Advanced Judicial Course – 3 months
• Arabic Course – 3 months

There is a steady increase in students’ population in all the courses being offered by the Centre, most of whom are from the Northern States.