ASUU has no authority over Abuja land allocations, Wike says
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the authority of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to question the reallocation of portions of the University of Abuja’s land to private developers and government agencies.
Wike said land administration in the Federal Capital Territory was the responsibility of the FCT Administration, insisting that the union had no statutory authority to determine how government-owned land should be allocated.
The minister spoke during his monthly media chat while reacting to ASUU’s threat to embark on industrial action over the disputed land.
He dismissed allegations of land grabbing against the FCTA, arguing that the union could not dictate the administration’s land-use decisions.
“What is the business of ASUU on our land? How is ASUU the owner of land? Is ASUU the owner of the union in Nigeria now? Is it the union’s right?” he asked.
The disagreement concerns land allocated to the university in the Giri District, which ASUU said covers 11,824 hectares and is needed for the institution’s expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development.
However, Wike questioned the justification for the university retaining such a large expanse of land, particularly when some portions remained undeveloped.
He maintained that the FCTA was exercising its statutory responsibilities by enforcing land-use regulations and the Abuja master plan.
