Wike Rejects ASUU Strike Threat Over University of Abuja Land Dispute

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

Wike insisted that the union had no authority to determine land ownership or allocation within the FCT, maintaining that such responsibilities fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The minister made the remarks during his monthly media chat on Thursday, where he questioned ASUU’s involvement in the dispute and rejected allegations that the government was grabbing the university’s land.

“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.

He also questioned the justification for allowing the university to retain thousands of hectares of land without adequate development, arguing that the government had a responsibility to ensure proper land use and compliance with the FCT master plan.

According to Wike, the decision to reallocate portions of the university’s land was part of the administration’s efforts to enforce urban planning regulations and promote development across the capital territory.

The minister further dismissed ASUU’s threat to challenge the decision in court, saying the FCTA was prepared to defend its actions if legal proceedings were instituted.

He also criticised the union’s use of strike threats to pressure the government, insisting that his administration would not yield to what he described as blackmail.

The dispute followed a press conference by the Chairman of ASUU’s University of Abuja chapter, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, who warned that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus if the minister failed to reverse the disputed land allocations.

Ugoh said the university was originally allocated 11,824 hectares of land in the Giri District of the FCT, describing the property as essential for the institution’s long-term expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development.

The union expressed concern over the allocation of portions of the land to private developers and government agencies, insisting that the university’s property should be protected against encroachment.

However, Wike maintained that land administration within the FCT remained the responsibility of the FCTA and that the government would continue making decisions on land recovery and allocation in line with its statutory responsibilities.