UniAbuja alumni ask Tinubu to stop Wike from revoking school land

The University of Abuja Alumni Association has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop the planned revocation of a large portion of land allocated to the institution.

In June, Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), said his administration had stopped “land grabbing” by the university.

The minister said out of 11,800 hectares originally allocated to the university, 7,000 hectares had been reclaimed by the FCT administration.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Habeeb-Ullah Abdulkadir, president of the alumni association, described the move as illegal and a direct assault on Nigeria’s educational and national heritage.

Abdulkadir said the 11,800 hectares allocated to the university in 1988 under President Ibrahim Babangida’s administration was a deliberate plan to accommodate academic infrastructure, research, agricultural programmes, and future expansion.

He expressed regret that instead of supporting the university’s development, Wike was intent on reclaiming the land without engaging in dialogue or stakeholders’ consultations, violating due process.

Abdulkadir warned that reducing the university’s land to 4,000 hectares would severely limit its capacity to expand, accommodate a growing student population, and fulfil its mandate as a dual-mode institution for both conventional and distance learning students.

“This reckless action risks damaging Nigeria’s reputation in international education circles and jeopardises valuable partnerships that benefit our students and the nation,” he said.

He urged Tinubu, as the university’s visitor and “overall father”, to intervene urgently and direct the minister to reverse the revocation plan.

“Minister Wike’s silence will not deter us. His disregard for due process will not break our resolve. We are prepared for a protracted battle because the future of Nigerian education and the integrity of our institution depend on our success,” Abdulkadir added.

Abdulkadir said following Wike’s refusal to engage in dialogue, the alumni association has issued formal protest letters to the minister, the minister of education, and the presidency.

He said the association has petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and other professional bodies.

He warned developers to stay clear of the land and announced the launch of the Save UniAbuja project, a coordinated legal, media, and public campaign to defend the university’s interests.

Abdulkadir said the association is already mobilising for the upcoming national assembly public hearing on the matter.

“We will organise peaceful protests, pursue legal action in competent courts, and submit petitions to national and international institutions. We remain open to dialogue but will not be ignored. We seek peace but are prepared for principled resistance,” he added.

“The University of Abuja belongs to all Nigerians. Its land and identity are national assets, not political bargaining chips. The name of the university is a national heritage worthy of protection.”