By Erewunmi Peace

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) of excessive land acquisition without meaningful development, describing it as a form of land grabbing.

During an official visit to the university’s land allocation sites, Wike expressed concern over the massive expanse of land—reportedly over 1,000 hectares—allocated to the institution. He criticized the university’s inability to develop the land years after it was granted, stating that such large, idle spaces pose security risks and hinder urban development.

“You cannot hold onto over 1,000 hectares of land without developing it and expect the government to fold its arms. That is not futuristic. That is land grabbing,” Wike said during his inspection.

The Minister, who has been spearheading a broader land reclamation initiative across the FCT, announced that undeveloped portions of the land would be recovered and reassigned for public benefit. According to the FCT Administration, many public and private institutions have been found to be hoarding land without development, contrary to the original terms of allocation.

Although some media reports suggested that as much as 7,000 hectares were recovered, official statements and credible sources have consistently cited figures closer to 1,000 or slightly above. The discrepancy underscores the need for clarity in public land management.

As of press time, the University of Abuja has not issued a formal response to the minister’s claims. However, some university insiders argue that bureaucratic delays and funding challenges have slowed the institution’s expansion plans.

Wike’s actions are part of a larger urban renewal strategy aimed at maximizing land use efficiency and curbing speculative land acquisition in Nigeria’s capital territory.