The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the University of Abuja, threatening to reallocate over 10,000 hectares of its land if it remains undeveloped. Wike’s comments came after a site inspection on April 5, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the university’s failure to develop the vast land allocated to it.
During the inspection, Wike addressed the media, stating that the university’s continued inaction was unacceptable. “This tour has opened our eyes to the kind of land the University of Abuja has acquired. It’s not acceptable,” Wike said. He questioned why a university would acquire such a large expanse of land, stressing that development should take precedence over land acquisition. “You can’t deny development,” he added. “A university’s value is not in its land, but in the quality of its infrastructure.”
Wike further challenged the university’s claim that the land was intended for “futuristic purposes.” He pointed out that simply possessing land is not enough to contribute to a university’s growth and prestige. “What makes a university is the quality of its infrastructure, not the size of its land holdings,” he emphasized.
The minister’s frustration was clear as he warned that if the university fails to develop the land, it would be reallocated to individuals or entities that are willing to build on it. “We must stop this idea of just acquiring land for the sake of it,” Wike said. “If you’re given land, you must develop it. If you don’t, the government will take it back and give it to those who are ready to develop it.”
Wike also took the opportunity to express concern over other undeveloped land in the region, including that allocated to the Nigerian Police, which has not seen any development despite being given ample time.
As part of his visit, Wike inspected ongoing infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 15-kilometer Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to Wassa, being carried out by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC). He expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of the work, praising the contractor for their commitment to excellence.
In his closing remarks, Wike reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to fulfilling promises and ensuring timely project completions, especially ahead of the President’s second anniversary. “We believe, to the glory of God, that Mr. President will also be happy when he comes to inaugurate these projects,” he said. “This administration does not believe in abandoning projects. Any contract given must be completed for the benefit of the people.”
Wike’s remarks reflect the FCT Administration’s policy of holding landowners accountable for the development of allocated land and ensuring that infrastructure projects are delivered on schedule for the betterment of Abuja.
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