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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the strike threat issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, over the reallocation of portions of the institution’s land to private developers and government agencies.

Wike questioned the union’s authority to challenge statutory land allocation decisions, insisting that land administration and enforcement of the Abuja master plan fall under the jurisdiction of the FCT Administration.

Speaking during his monthly media chat, the minister rejected allegations of land grabbing and challenged ASUU to explain its interest in decisions concerning land ownership and allocation in the FCT.

“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?” Wike asked.

The minister also questioned why a single university should retain thousands of hectares of undeveloped land while preventing other development projects. He noted that the University of Abuja’s land reportedly covers more than 11,000 hectares.

Wike maintained that the FCT Administration’s actions were part of government policy and urban planning, adding that the recovery and reallocation of unused land would continue.

He also dismissed ASUU’s warning that it could embark on strike action and challenge the FCTA’s decision in court. According to him, the administration is prepared to defend its statutory responsibilities and rights if the dispute proceeds to litigation.

The minister accused the union’s leadership of using industrial action threats as leverage and urged it to follow established public service procedures rather than resort to what he described as blackmail.

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 unless Wike reversed the allocations made from the university’s designated land in the Giri District.

ASUU argued that the 11,824 hectares originally allocated to the institution were necessary for its long-term expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development.

However, Wike insisted that the FCT Administration would not reverse its position, maintaining that land allocations within the territory remain subject to the regulatory authority of his office.