FCT Minister Nyesom Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected a strike threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, over the reallocation of portions of the institution's land to private developers and government agencies.
Wike maintained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has the statutory responsibility to manage land allocation and enforce planning regulations across Abuja, arguing that a trade union has no authority to dictate how the government administers public land.
/ You Might Also Like /
The minister made the remarks on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. His response followed ASUU's warning that it could no longer guarantee industrial peace on the university campus unless the disputed land allocations were reversed.
The disagreement centres on the university's landholding in Giri District, which the union says covers 11,824 hectares and remains necessary for the institution's future expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development.
Wike Defends FCTA's Authority Over Abuja Land Administration
Wike questioned ASUU's involvement in decisions concerning land allocation within the FCT, insisting that responsibility for land administration rests with the FCTA rather than university unions.
"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?" the minister asked.
He argued that the FCTA must retain the authority to regulate land use, enforce planning requirements and ensure that allocated land serves its approved purpose.
The minister also questioned why the University of Abuja should retain thousands of hectares, particularly where portions remain undeveloped, while the administration pursues infrastructure expansion and planned development across the territory.
He maintained that public institutions must provide appropriate documentation, approvals and evidence of land utilisation rather than assume that previous allocations exempt them from government land-use regulations.
Wike further stated that the FCTA would not abandon its development decisions because of threats of industrial action. He said the administration was prepared to defend its position through the courts if the union pursued legal action.
ASUU Opposes Reallocation of 11,824 Hectares
The dispute intensified after the University of Abuja chapter of ASUU accused the FCTA of taking portions of the institution's land and reallocating them to private companies, individuals and government agencies.
The union's chairman, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, raised the concerns during a press conference, warning that the chapter could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus if the minister failed to reverse the disputed allocations in Giri District.
ASUU maintains that the university received 11,824 hectares for long-term institutional development, including academic expansion, agricultural research and supporting infrastructure.
The union argues that transferring portions of the land to private interests could undermine the university's future development plans and compromise land originally designated for public educational purposes.
ASUU has also challenged the legality of the disputed allocations, alleging that the FCTA's actions violated an existing court order directing parties to maintain the status quo. The union has threatened to pursue legal measures to protect the institution's landholding.
The FCTA and the union therefore hold opposing positions on the scope of government authority over the land and the validity of the disputed reallocations.
Dispute Revives Questions Over Abuja's Land Use and Urban Planning
The disagreement reflects a broader challenge in managing land allocated to public institutions within the Federal Capital Territory, particularly as Abuja continues to expand and demand for land for residential, commercial and infrastructure development increases.
The FCTA's position centres on its responsibility to administer land, regulate development and ensure compliance with the Abuja master plan. From the administration's perspective, land allocations must meet documentation, approval and utilisation requirements.
ASUU, however, argues that the university requires its existing landholding to accommodate long-term academic and research needs. The union's opposition also raises questions about the protection of land designated for public institutions when government authorities seek to recover or reallocate portions of such holdings.
For Abuja's property market, the dispute highlights the importance of clear land titles, allocation records, approved land use and compliance with planning regulations. Uncertainty surrounding the status of institutional land can affect development decisions, investment confidence and the legal due diligence required before acquiring or developing property.
The disagreement also underscores the need for transparent procedures when government authorities review existing land allocations, particularly where public institutions and private developers have competing interests.
Legal Resolution Could Determine the Future of the Disputed Land
Wike's rejection of ASUU's strike threat suggests that the FCTA intends to maintain its position on the disputed allocations rather than reverse its decisions in response to industrial pressure.
However, the union's allegations concerning the existing court order introduce a legal dimension that could determine whether the reallocation proceeds or faces further restrictions.
The outcome will have implications beyond the immediate disagreement between the FCTA and the University of Abuja. It could also shape how government authorities manage land previously allocated to public institutions, enforce development requirements and resolve competing claims over land in the FCT.
For now, the administration and ASUU remain divided over the university's landholding, with the possibility of industrial action and further legal proceedings keeping the dispute unresolved.
READ MORE
