Wike Questions UniAbuja Landmass, Warns Institutions on Undeveloped Plots

As preparations intensify for project inaugurations marking President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office on May 29, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has voiced strong concerns over what he described as land hoarding by public institutions, particularly the University of Abuja and the Nigerian Police Force.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after inspecting the 15-kilometre OSEX Road leading to Wassa, currently under construction by CGC Construction and culminating at the EFCC Academy access road, Wike praised the contractors for the pace and quality of work. However, he expressed disappointment at the vast expanse of land reportedly taken over by the University of Abuja, questioning the rationale behind the acquisition of over 1,000 hectares.

“You can’t deny development for others and a university will go and take over 1,000 hectares of land. For what purpose? We’ve been to universities across the country. Just grabbing land is not what makes a university; it is infrastructure and quality,” Wike stated.

Dismissing the idea that the land might be reserved for future expansion, the Minister warned that unused land could be repossessed by the government. “Before you know it, they will begin to lease it out. If you don’t develop it, the government will take it back and give it to those who will,” he said.

Wike also called out the Nigerian Police Force, indicating that they too would be questioned over undeveloped plots allocated to them. He confirmed that the relevant agencies would be summoned for an explanation. “Let the Director of Lands come to me. We’ll invite the university and the Police and ask why they’ve not developed the area,” he added.