The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the strike threat issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Abuja chapter, over the reallocation of portions of the institution’s land to private developers and government agencies.
Wike, who spoke on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, questioned the union’s authority to challenge land allocation decisions, insisting that land administration in the FCT falls within the statutory responsibility of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The minister rejected allegations of land grabbing by the FCTA, arguing that trade unions have no legal authority over land administration in the nation’s capital.
Questioning the union’s involvement in the matter, Wike said, “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?”
He also questioned the justification for the University of Abuja retaining thousands of hectares of land, particularly where portions remained undeveloped and could be used for other developmental purposes.
Wike maintained that the FCTA’s actions were consistent with government policies, urban planning regulations and its statutory responsibility to regulate land use within the capital.
Reacting to ASUU’s threat to embark on industrial action and challenge the allocations in court, the minister said the administration was prepared to defend its decisions through the appropriate legal channels.
He accused the union’s leadership of using strike threats to pressure the government, urging its members to follow established procedures rather than resort to what he described as blackmail.
The minister further insisted that the recovery and reallocation of unused land would continue, stressing that federal institutions must comply with relevant documentation, approvals and land-use requirements.
The dispute followed a press conference by the ASUU University of Abuja chapter chairman, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, who warned that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus if the FCT minister failed to reverse the disputed allocations in the Giri District.
ASUU maintained that the 11,824 hectares originally allocated to the university were essential for its long-term expansion, agricultural research, infrastructure development and other academic activities.
The union also accused the FCTA of disregarding a court order restraining the minister from encroaching on the disputed university land.
It warned that it would explore legal options and other lawful measures to resist the reallocation of portions of the institution’s land to private individuals and companies.
However, Wike insisted that the FCTA would not reverse its decisions because of threats of industrial action or legal proceedings.
The disagreement has raised concerns about the potential impact of the land dispute on academic activities and industrial relations at the university.
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