Wike Warns ASUU to Stay Out of UniAbuja Land Dispute, Rejects Strike Threat

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) against interfering in the ongoing University of Abuja land dispute, insisting that land administration and allocation in the nation’s capital remain the responsibility of the FCT Administration.

Wike issued the warning on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a media chat with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

His remarks followed allegations by the University of Abuja chapter of ASUU that portions of land belonging to the institution had been allocated to private individuals and companies.

The union had threatened possible industrial action unless the disputed allocations were reversed.

Wike Questions ASUU’s Role in Land Administration

Responding to the controversy, Wike questioned the authority of ASUU to challenge land administration decisions made by the FCT Administration.

The minister argued that the union’s primary responsibility was to represent the interests of academic staff rather than determine how land should be allocated within Abuja.

He maintained that decisions concerning land ownership, development approvals and enforcement of the Abuja Master Plan fall within the statutory responsibilities of the FCT Administration.

Wike also rejected allegations that the government was unlawfully taking university land, insisting that its actions were consistent with existing administrative procedures and urban development objectives.

According to him, the FCT Administration has a responsibility to ensure that land allocated for development is properly documented and utilised.

FCT Minister Dismisses ASUU Strike Threat

Wike also dismissed suggestions that the university’s lecturers could embark on industrial action over the dispute.

He maintained that threats of strikes or legal proceedings would not prevent the FCT Administration from carrying out what it considers its lawful responsibilities.

The minister said the administration was prepared to defend its decisions in court if the union pursued legal action.

He further questioned why an academic union should seek to influence decisions involving extensive landholdings allocated to a federal institution.

His comments signal a continuing disagreement between the FCT Administration and the university’s lecturers over the authority to determine the future use of the disputed land.

ASUU Accuses FCTA of Allocating University Land to Private Interests

The University of Abuja chapter of ASUU has maintained that the disputed land was legitimately allocated to the institution for educational and research purposes.

The union’s chairman, Professor Sylvanus Ugoh, accused the FCT Administration of reallocating portions of the university’s property to private companies and individuals.

ASUU argued that the university’s land was reserved for long-term academic expansion, research facilities, agricultural development and other institutional needs.

The union also questioned the justification for reducing the university’s landholding, warning that such decisions could undermine its future growth.

According to ASUU, land designated for public educational purposes should not be transferred to private interests without lawful justification.

The allegations remain disputed by the FCT minister.

Dispute Involves Thousands of Hectares in Abuja

The controversy dates back to June 2025, when Wike announced plans to recover approximately 7,000 hectares from the land claimed by the University of Abuja.

The institution’s original allocation has been described by ASUU as approximately 11,824 hectares.

Wike had questioned the justification for retaining such an extensive land area, particularly where substantial portions had not been developed.

The minister argued that Abuja’s growing population and infrastructure requirements created a need for more effective land utilisation.

However, the university’s representatives have maintained that undeveloped land does not necessarily constitute unused land.

They argue that universities require long-term development space for new faculties, laboratories, research centres, student accommodation and other infrastructure.

ASUU has also pointed to the environmental importance of preserving parts of the university’s land as green areas.

ASUU Raises Concerns Over Alleged Court Order Violation

The dispute has also generated legal controversy.

ASUU alleges that the FCT Administration proceeded with land allocations despite an interlocutory injunction issued by an FCT High Court in Maitama on August 18, 2026.

The union claims the order restrained interference with the disputed property pending further judicial proceedings.

It also alleges that allocations were subsequently made to private interests in September.

These claims have not been established as findings of contempt against the minister.

Wike, meanwhile, has maintained that the administration is prepared to defend its position through the legal process.

The disagreement raises questions about land documentation, institutional property rights and the legal procedures governing the modification of public land allocations.

ASUU Calls for Tinubu’s Intervention

The university’s academic union has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the dispute.

ASUU wants the Federal Government to ensure that the university’s land is protected and that the disputed allocations are reviewed.

The union warned that continued disagreement could threaten industrial harmony at the institution.

It has also pledged to pursue available legal remedies to challenge actions it considers unlawful.

No resolution of the dispute had been announced as of Thursday, November 5, 2026.

UniAbuja Land Dispute Raises Wider Questions About Abuja’s Development

The disagreement highlights the challenges associated with balancing institutional land requirements against the demand for residential, commercial and public infrastructure development in Abuja.

As the Federal Capital Territory continues to expand, land administration decisions increasingly affect universities, government agencies, private developers and surrounding communities.

For urban planners and housing stakeholders, the controversy underscores the importance of transparent allocation procedures, reliable land records and respect for judicial processes.

It also raises broader questions about how public institutions can secure land for future expansion while allowing government to implement legitimate urban development policies.

Resolving the UniAbuja dispute will require clarity on the institution’s original allocation, the legal status of the disputed parcels and the authority under which subsequent decisions were made.

For now, the FCT Administration and ASUU remain divided over the ownership, control and future development of the land.