Legal Unit
About the Department
The Legal Unit operates directly under the Office of the Executive Chairman of the Board. The Unit is saddled with the responsibility of providing a wide range of legal and quasi-legal services to the Board. It serves as the clearinghouse for all legal matters concerning the Board and handles legal issues that arise in the day-to-day administration of the Board's affairs. A key function of the Unit is preventive legal advisory — offering guidance and ensuring fairness in dealings with stakeholders so that grievances and disputes are resolved early and do not escalate into litigation. However, where conciliation and mediation fail and disputes proceed to full litigation, the Legal Unit represents the Board in court, usually in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice.
Director's Profile
Nora Gideon Ekanem (Atukomi), Esq.
Director, Legal Unit
Nora Gideon Ekanem (Atukomi), Esq. is a seasoned legal practitioner, education administrator, and public service professional with over two decades of distinguished experience. Her career is marked by diligence, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to ethical standards and transparent governance.
She began her professional journey in 2006 when she joined the Board as a Legal Officer. Through consistent hard work, integrity, and demonstrated competence, she steadily rose through the ranks within the Board's legal framework. In April 2024, she was appointed Director, Legal Unit — a testament to her outstanding service record, leadership capacity, and deep understanding of legal and institutional processes.
In 2020, she became a member of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Her exceptional performance and commitment to accountability earned her the position of General Secretary of the Unit, and in October 2025, she was elected President of ACTU.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Rivers State University (formerly Rivers State University of Science and Technology) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004 as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She completed her secondary education at Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.
As a consummate professional, she oversees and manages all legal matters of the Board, providing strategic legal guidance, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, and safeguarding the institution's interests through sound legal advisory and representation.
Nora Gideon Ekanem (Atukomi), Esq. stands as a symbol of integrity, professionalism, and dedicated public service. Her leadership in the Legal Unit continues to strengthen institutional governance, promote accountability, and uphold the rule of law within the education sector.
Functions
- Proffering legal advice to the Board on all statutory, contractual, and operational matters.
- Drafting and vetting all manner of legal documents on behalf of the Board.
- Representing the Board (usually in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice) in litigations in all courts.
- Ensuring compliance with all Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on guidelines for disbursement and utilisation of FGN-UBE Intervention Funds.
- Settling disputes and attending to petitions or other controversies through mediation and conflict resolution.
- Interpreting laws, rules, or regulations relating to or having direct/indirect bearing on the day-to-day functions of the Board.
- Liaising with the Police and other security agencies on behalf of the Board.
- Attending Management and Management standing committee meetings and serving in the secretariat.
- Serving on Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees of the Board.
- Representing the Board in meetings with relevant stakeholders within and outside the Board.
- Attending to administrative functions regarding staff discipline, SERVICOM, Due Process, Issuance, and Pension matters.
- Liaising with the State House of Assembly for possible amendments to the RSUBEB Law.
Units of the Department
A. Legal Matters
Core legal functions of the Unit covering advisory, representation, compliance, and dispute resolution on behalf of the Board.
- Proffering legal advice to the Board.
- Drafting and vetting all manner of legal documents.
- Representing the Board (usually in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice) in litigations in all courts.
- Ensuring compliance with all Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on guidelines for disbursement and utilisation of the FGN-UBE Intervention Funds.
- Settling disputes and attending to petitions or other controversies through mediation and conflict resolution.
- Interpreting laws, rules, or regulations relating to or having direct/indirect bearing on the day-to-day functions of the Board.
- Liaising with the Police and other security agencies on behalf of the Board.
B. Quasi-Legal Matters
Administrative and inter-departmental legal functions that support governance, prevent disputes, and represent the Board in stakeholder engagements.
- Liaising with other departments — especially Administration and Quality Assurance — to identify likely sources of conflict or dispute and advise on proper courses of action before they escalate.
- Attending Management and Management standing committee meetings and serving in the secretariat.
- Serving on Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees of the Board.
- Representing the Board in meetings with relevant stakeholders in or outside the Board.
- Attending to administrative functions regarding staff discipline, SERVICOM, Due Process, Issuance, and Pension matters.
- Liaising with the State House of Assembly for possible amendments to the RSUBEB Law.
Structure of the Unit
Department Structure
The Legal Unit operates directly under the Executive Chairman. The unit structure flows from the Executive Chairman to three branches: Board Headquarters, Director Legal, and Board Clerk. The Director Legal further oversees the Local Government Desk Officers stationed across the 23 Local Government Education Authorities, who serve as the first point of legal contact at the grassroots level.