University of Abuja Alumni Urges President Tinubu to Intervene in FCT Minister Wike’s Planned Land Revocation

University of Abuja Alumni

The University of Abuja Alumni Association has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in what it describes as an “illegal and unjust” plan by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to revoke 7,000 hectares of land legally allocated to the nation’s premier capital university.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Alumni President, Habeeb-Ullah Abdulkadir, condemned the proposed revocation, labeling it a direct assault on Nigeria’s educational heritage and a breach of due process.

Historical Background of the Land Allocation

According to Abdulkadir, the University of Abuja was allocated 11,800 hectares in 1988 under the administration of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida. This allocation was not arbitrary — it was strategically planned to accommodate:

Academic infrastructure
Research facilities
Agricultural programs
Future expansion projects

This land was meant to serve generations of Nigerian students, supporting both conventional and distance learning.

You can read more about the university’s history on the University of Abuja official website.

Violation of the Land Use Act and Threat to Education

The Alumni President stressed that the planned reduction of the university’s land to only 4,000 hectares would severely limit the institution’s capacity to cater to Nigeria’s rapidly growing student population. He argued that the move violates the Land Use Act of 1978 and breaches the university’s legitimate ownership rights.

“This reckless action risks damaging Nigeria’s reputation in the international education community and could jeopardize global partnerships that currently benefit both our students and the nation,” Abdulkadir said.

Calls for Presidential Intervention

The Alumni Association appealed directly to President Tinubu — the official Visitor to the University — urging him to stop the revocation.

“We call on our father and leader, President Bola Tinubu, to urgently instruct the FCT Minister to reverse this decision and protect the university’s land. This is not just about land; it is about the future of Nigerian education and the integrity of our institution,” Abdulkadir stated.

Steps Taken by the Alumni Association

Following the FCT Minister’s refusal to engage in dialogue, the association has:

Sent formal protest letters to the FCT Minister and the Minister of Education, with copies sent to the Presidency.
Petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Warned property developers to stay away from the disputed land.

Additionally, the Alumni has launched the Save UniAbuja Project, a coordinated initiative that combines legal action, media campaigns, and public advocacy to defend the university from external encroachment.

Planned Legal and Public Action

The association plans to:

Organize peaceful protests
Pursue legal action in Nigerian courts
Submit petitions to national and international bodies
Mobilize for the National Assembly public hearing

“We remain open to dialogue, but we will not be ignored. We seek peace, but we are ready for principled resistance using every legal and constitutional means at our disposal,” Abdulkadir emphasized.

The University of Abuja as a National Asset

The Alumni reiterated that the University of Abuja belongs to all Nigerians and should not be treated as a political bargaining chip. Its land, identity, and heritage are national assets that deserve protection.

For ongoing updates on this issue and other educational policy matters in Nigeria, visit Daily Trust and Premium Times Nigeria.

Sahara Reporters

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