Controversy Erupts as Wike Cuts University of Abuja’s Land by 7,000 Hectares
The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) is facing a major land dispute after Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, reclaimed 7,000 hectares of its land. This drastic action reduces the university’s total land area from 11,824 hectares to just 4,000 hectares.
Wike accused UniAbuja of illegally acquiring the land and constructing a fence without proper documentation. “The university failed to provide the necessary paperwork to support its claims,” he said. He emphasized that the recovered land would be used for infrastructural development, including new roads and facilities for organizations like the EFCC Academy.
Previously, UniAbuja ranked as the third-largest university in Nigeria by land area, following Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Ilorin. With this significant reduction, it has now dropped to eighth place in the national rankings.
The announcement has ignited public outrage and skepticism. Many Nigerians are questioning Wike’s motives, especially after allegations surfaced that he allocated 2,000 hectares of land to his son, Joachim. Critics are accusing Wike of corruption and suggest that this could be a case of “mindless looting” of public resources.
Wike has denied these allegations, stating that while his family can own land, no land has been allocated to his children. In light of the controversy, President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the land allocations made under Wike’s tenure.
As the situation develops, both university stakeholders and the public are eager for clarity on the future of the reclaimed land and its intended use.
