The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, has warned that industrial harmony could be disrupted over the alleged allocation of university land to private individuals and companies by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The union demanded an immediate reversal of the disputed allocations, accusing the minister of disregarding a court order restraining interference with the institution’s land.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the branch chairperson, Professor Sylvanus Ugoh, said ASUU would explore lawful measures to protect the university’s property.
The briefing, titled “Ministerial Encroachment into University of Abuja Land: Some Points to Ponder,” followed an emergency congress held on November 3 to examine the dispute.
Ugoh alleged that Wike proceeded with land allocations on September 26 despite an interlocutory injunction reportedly issued by Justice F.E. Mesiri of the Maitama High Court on August 18.
According to him, the injunction restrained the FCT Minister from entering or encroaching on the university’s land.
“The act of the FCT Minister is an outright breach and total disregard for the rule of law,” Ugoh declared.
The controversy dates back to June 30, 2025, when Wike reportedly announced plans to reclaim approximately 7,000 hectares from land previously allocated to the university.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of an access road to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission institute in Giri.
Wike had reportedly questioned the university’s ownership documentation and accused its management of fencing extensive land without proper approval.
Rejecting those claims, Ugoh maintained that documentary evidence established the institution’s entitlement to the disputed property.
He explained that the university, established on January 1, 1988, received an initial allocation of 11,824 hectares to accommodate long-term academic and infrastructural development.
The union argued that the land was intended for future expansion, research institutes, innovation centres and environmental conservation.
Ugoh dismissed suggestions that undeveloped portions should be reclaimed, stressing that university infrastructure develops progressively.
He cited the University of Ilorin and Obafemi Awolowo University as examples of federal institutions occupying similarly extensive land.
According to him, UniAbuja’s status as a dual-mode institution offering conventional and distance learning programmes further justifies its land requirements.
He also maintained that the university and its allocated property belonged to the Federal Government rather than the FCT administration.
While acknowledging Wike’s efforts to develop Abuja, Ugoh insisted that such development should not undermine the institution’s future expansion.
The union consequently appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent further escalation.
Ugoh warned that ASUU would resist any unlawful takeover through legitimate means, adding that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the disputed allocations remained unresolved.
Ezeana Emmanuel
