The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, has threatened a showdown with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the allocation of portions of the university’s land to private companies and individuals.
The union warned that it would no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the minister failed to reverse the allocations, insisting that it would resist any further attempt to take over the institution’s land within the ambits of the law.
The branch chairman of the ASUU, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, who spoke with the press in Abuja on Tuesday, blamed Wike for disregarding the rule of law by allocating the disputed land despite an interlocutory injunction issued by the Maitama High Court on 18 August 2026, restraining him from entering or encroaching on the university’s land.
“ASUU UniAbuja will no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the FCT Minister fails to reverse the unlawful taking away of University of Abuja land and allocating it to his friends and cronies,” the union said.
LEADERSHIP recalled that the controversy over the institution’s land dates back to 30 June 2025, when Wike announced plans to retrieve 7,000 hectares out of the approximately 11,000 hectares allocated to the university.
The minister made the announcement while commissioning the newly constructed access road to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy within the university’s premises in the Giri District of Abuja.
According to ASUU, Wike had accused the university of land grabbing and fencing several hectares without proper approval or documentation.
However, the union maintained that it had overwhelming documentary evidence establishing that the disputed parcel of land was duly allocated to the institution by the federal government.
“At inception, 11,824 hectares with its coordinates was allocated to the University. The University Authority would not have on its own located itself to where the University is currently sitting on.
“Let it be clearly understood that the University of Abuja is a federal government institution held in trust for the Nigerian people and it is not a property of the FCT,” it said.
The union argued that the size of the land was deliberate and strategic, providing room for future expansion of academic facilities, research centres, innovation hubs and other infrastructure needed to support teaching, learning and community service.
It further explained that parts of the university’s land consisted of hills and mountainous terrain, while some areas were preserved as green spaces to maintain ecological balance and protect biodiversity.
According to the union, the land was also needed for future research institutes, centres and other innovative facilities that would contribute to national development.
ASUU said preserving green areas within the university was consistent with global environmental best practices and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 on sustainable development.
It acknowledged Wike’s efforts to develop the FCT but maintained that the responsibility for developing the federal government-owned university rested with the federal government.
The union consequently called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the dispute and prevail on Wike to reverse the allocations to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony on the campus.
ASUU said, “The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, therefore demands that the Honourable Minister of the FCT put a stop to the unlawful allocation of the University of Abuja land and reverse every allocation made on University of Abuja land.”
It added that the President should call the minister to order to ensure that peace and harmony prevailed on the university campus.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
