University of Abuja Pro-Chancellor Slams Minister Wike Over Land Reduction, Calls for Accountability

The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, has voiced strong criticism over the significant reduction in land allocated to the institution by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. 

In a recent interview on Arise TV, Dr. Tejuoso expressed deep concern over what he described as a major setback to the university’s development ambitions. 

According to Dr. Tejuoso, the university was initially granted 11,000 hectares of land for its academic, research, and infrastructural needs. 

However, this allocation was drastically reduced to just 4,000 hectares under the current FCT administration. More concerning, he revealed, is the fact that 2,000 hectares of the remaining land are covered by mountainous terrain, rendering them virtually unusable for construction or expansion purposes. 

“Even the 4,000 hectares—2,000 of it is just mountain. When you fly out of the Abuja airport the mountain you see below is part of the university’s land. 

Realistically, we now have only 2,000 hectares left for actual development. Maybe Minister Wike should come and take over the mountain and develop it himself,” Dr. Tejuoso remarked pointedly. 

The Pro-Chancellor emphasized the broader implications of the land loss, particularly its impact on potential academic collaborations and national development initiatives. 

He disclosed that the Cancer Research Centre of Nigeria had previously approached the university with interest in establishing a world-class research facility on the campus. 

That plan, however, is now in jeopardy due to the limited availability of usable land. 

“This is not just about the university; it’s about the future of education and healthcare in Nigeria. The land could have hosted groundbreaking projects that benefit the nation. We can’t develop our full potential with these limitations,” he added. 

The issue has sparked widespread reactions from academic stakeholders, civil society observers, and students, many of whom see the move as a blow to educational advancement and national planning. 

Critics argue that reducing the university’s land allocation at a time of population growth and educational expansion is short-sighted. 

Tejuoso’s call for accountability has added fuel to ongoing debates around urban land management in the Federal Capital Territory, especially regarding how government decisions align—or conflict—with long-term national interests. 

As of now, Minister Wike has not publicly responded to the Pro-Chancellor’s remarks.