On Monday, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said that the University of Abuja had seized 11,000 hectares of land in the Gishiri neighborhood of Abuja.
However, Wike claimed to have overturned the university’s decision and mandated that the institution only receive 4,000 hectares.
He made this revelation at the opening of recently built access roads in Abuja’s Gishiri District, which commemorated President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
The minister said that the road work assisted in halting the university’s attempt to seize land.
“This road has helped us stop the university’s land grabbing,” Wike stated. “The university grabbed 11,000 hectares on their own, and I said that won’t happen.” Nothing, no document. They’re fencing everywhere, that’s all.
Since we will be building roads here, I instructed the Director of Lands and other pertinent authorities to set aside 4,000 hectares of land and donate it to the institution. The remaining lands were distributed.
“That’s not how we’re supposed to operate; we can’t let people just get up in the morning and start fencing without any paperwork.”
The minister disclosed that the Gishiri District is open to most institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to establish their academy.
“This Gishiri District has to be developed like other districts, what we have done is creating these access roads.
“The university, EFCC Academy, and all other institutions that are scheduled to be here will be located in this district, as the executive secretary has stated.
“So, Mr. President, this will be a significant neighborhood that draws a lot of investment, and you can see how lovely it looks when you come in here.
“We are willing to collaborate if the National Assembly desires to establish their own institution,” he stated.
About The Author
