In a statement released during his monthly media chat, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed a strike threat from the University of Abuja chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the reallocation of the university’s land.
The dispute centres on a parcel of land originally granted to the University of Abuja in the Giri District. ASUU claims the area covers 11,824 hectares and is essential for the university’s future expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development. The minister, however, questioned the need for the university to retain such a large tract, noting that portions remain undeveloped.
Wike said that land administration in the FCT falls under the responsibility of the FCT Administration and that trade unions have no statutory powers over land ownership or allocation. “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?” the minister asked.
He maintained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is acting within its statutory responsibilities and will continue to enforce land‑use regulations and the Abuja master plan. The minister also warned that the FCTA would not be pressured into reversing government policies and that government institutions could not hold extensive land without proper documentation, approvals and utilisation.
ASUU warned that it could launch industrial action and challenge the land allocations in court if the FCT minister did not reverse the decisions. Wike said the administration was prepared to defend its decisions through the legal process and criticised the union’s resort to strike threats.
“The union has no statutory powers over land ownership and allocation,” Wike said.
ASUU University of Abuja chairman Dr Sylvanus Ugoh had earlier warned that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus unless the FCT minister reversed the allocations affecting the university’s land.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>