The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced a significant reduction of the land allocated to the University of Abuja, cutting it from 11,000 hectares to 4,000 hectares. The decision, according to the minister, follows concerns over alleged land grabbing by the institution.

 

Wike made the announcement on Monday during the commissioning of the access road to the permanent site of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy and other strategic roads in the Giri District. The event was officiated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

 

“This road has helped us to stop the land grabbing by the University,” Wike said. “They grabbed 11,000 hectares with no documentation, fencing off land they have no legal claim to. That cannot continue.”

 

Wike directed the Director of Lands and relevant agencies to officially allocate 4,000 hectares to the university, with the remainder to be reallocated for other developments.

 

The University of Abuja, once ranked third in Nigeria by landmass — behind the University of Ilorin and Obafemi Awolowo University — now falls to eighth place, with the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) surpassing it at 4,048 hectares.

 

Wike emphasized that the reclaimed land would support the development of key national institutions, including the EFCC Academy and other public infrastructure. He hinted at a strategic collaboration with the National Assembly to attract more institutions to the Giri District, promising that the FCT Administration would ensure land provision and infrastructure to support the expansion.

 

“When you allocate land with no access roads, water, or electricity, people won’t build. That’s the major challenge,” the minister added. “We will make sure those basic infrastructures are available to attract development.”

 

The EFCC Academy, which is situated in the area, is set to begin full-scale operations following the road’s completion. Wike noted that the new road would allow the mobilization of equipment and facilitate development, which in turn is expected to drive growth and investment in the district.

 

The development marks a significant shift in Abuja’s urban planning efforts, as the FCT Administration moves to curb unauthorized land use, enforce proper documentation, and prioritize infrastructural development in strategic areas.