UniAbuja Land Dispute: ASUU Threatens Industrial Action Over Alleged Allocation By Wike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, has threatened industrial action over the alleged unlawful allocation of its land by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The branch chairman, Prof. Sylvanus Ugoh, made the demand at a news conference on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Abuja, tagged: "Ministerial Encroachment into University of Abuja Land: Some Points to Ponder." 5664

Ugoh said the union would no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus if the minister failed to reverse what it described as the unlawful allocation of university land to private companies and individuals. 5664

The union accused Wike of disregarding the rule of law despite an interlocutory injunction reportedly issued by the Maitama High Court on August 18, 2026. According to ASUU, Justice F.E. Mesiri granted an order restraining the FCT Minister from entering or encroaching on the university's land. 77665664

ASUU alleged that in spite of the court order, the minister went ahead on September 26 to allocate portions of the land to companies and individuals. 5664

The dispute dates back to June 30, 2025, when Wike announced plans to recover 7,000 hectares from the approximately 11,000 hectares reportedly allocated to the university. The announcement was made while commissioning an access road to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy, located within the university's premises in the Giri District of Abuja. 7766

The union maintained that the University of Abuja was established on January 1, 1988, with an initial allocation of 11,824 hectares, complete with geographical coordinates, to accommodate its long-term academic and infrastructural development. 77665664

Ugoh stated: "ASUU UniAbuja will no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the FCT Minister fails to reverse the unlawful taking away of University of Abuja land and allocating it to his friends and cronies". 7766

The union said it would resist the alleged takeover within the ambit of the law and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and call the FCT Minister to order to allow peace and harmony to prevail on campus. 7766