A dispute over 11,824 hectares of land allocated to the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has escalated between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), with the union threatening industrial action over the reallocation of portions of the institution’s land.

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has dismissed the strike threat by the university’s ASUU chapter, insisting that the FCTA has the authority to regulate land administration and enforce the Abuja master plan.

Speaking on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, Wike questioned the union’s authority to challenge land allocation decisions, arguing that ASUU has no ownership rights over the institution’s land or mandate over land administration in the FCT.

“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.

The minister rejected allegations of land grabbing, arguing that the FCTA’s actions were part of its responsibility to regulate land use and enforce urban development plans.

He also questioned why a university should retain thousands of hectares of land without developing them, arguing thatsuch holdings could constrain other development activities in the capital.

Wike said the FCTA would not reverse its decisions because of the union’s strike threat and that the administration was prepared to defend its actions in court if ASUU pursued legal action.

He accused the union’s leadership of using strike threats to pressure the government and urged it to follow established procedures.

The minister also said government institutions could not retain extensive land holdings without the necessary documentation, approvals and evidence of utilisation.

The dispute followed a press conference by Sylvanus Ugoh, chairman of ASUU’s University of Abuja chapter, who warned that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus if Wike failed to reverse the reallocation of portions of the university’s land in the Giri District.

ASUU maintains that the 11,824 hectares originally allocated to the institution are necessary for its expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development.

The union objects to the FCTA’s decision to reallocate portions of the land to private developers and government agencies, arguing that the move could affect the university’s future development plans.

ASUU has threatened industrial action and indicated its intention to challenge the decision in court. Wike, however, maintains that land allocation and administration within the FCT fall under the authority of the FCTA.

The dispute centres on the competing claims of the university and the FCTA over the use and control of land allocated to the institution.