Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, has slashed the University of Abuja’s land allocation from 11,000 to 4,000 hectares, citing unauthorized expansion and lack of proper documentation.
Speaking during the commissioning of newly constructed access roads in the Giri District, Wike accused the university of illegally fencing off vast tracts of land without official approval.
“The university on their own grabbed 11,000 hectares. I said that will not happen. No document, nothing. You see them fencing everywhere, and before you know it, they would have gone to sell our land,” the minister stated.
He directed the FCTA Director of Lands and other relevant agencies to formalize only 4,000 hectares for the institution, while the remaining land will be used for other planned developments in Giri.
The Giri District hosts key institutions including the University of Abuja and the EFCC Academy. Wike emphasized the strategic importance of the area and pledged comprehensive infrastructural upgrades to stimulate development.
He revealed that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has been tasked with planning internal road networks in Giri, promising visible changes within the next year.
The minister also thanked the National Assembly for its support in securing supplementary budget allocations and hinted at further collaborations to establish new institutions in the area, with land provisions by FCTA.
He noted that the EFCC Academy is now set to commence operations, enabled by the newly completed access roads.
“Now they have access, they can move in their equipment and develop this. When this happens, others will follow,” he said.
Wike concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to providing essential amenities—roads, water, and electricity—to encourage investment and improve living standards in the FCT.
