The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dramatically cut down the land allocated to the University of Abuja from 11,000 hectares to just 4,000 hectares, accusing the institution of “land grabbing” without proper documentation.
Wike made this revelation on Monday, June 30, 2025, during the commissioning of a new access road leading to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy in the Giri District of Abuja. The project, commissioned on behalf of President Bola Tinubu by House Speaker Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, also included other major roads aimed at unlocking development in the district.
From Third Largest to Eighth
The University of Abuja, once Nigeria’s third-largest university by landmass — after OAU (13,000 hectares) and Unilorin (15,000 hectares) — now ranks eighth, below FUTO, which sits on 4,048 hectares.
“This road has helped us stop the land grabbing by the university,” Wike said frankly. “They just claimed 11,000 hectares — fencing everywhere without any document. Before you know it, they would start selling off government land.”
“No Document, Nothing”
Visibly displeased, the minister said his directive was clear: reclaim 7,000 hectares and limit the university’s holding to 4,000. The rest would be reallocated for institutional development, including to projects like the EFCC Academy.
“I’ve told the Director of Lands and all relevant agencies — carve out 4,000 hectares and give that to the university. The rest? We’re re-planning the area. We’re providing infrastructure — roads, water, power — and people just can’t wake up and start fencing land like that.”
Opening the Door for More Development
With the completion of the access roads, Wike said the EFCC Academy can now begin operations immediately, as equipment and construction teams finally have a path into the area.
“This is the beginning,” he said. “Once EFCC moves in, others will follow. And that’s how the district grows.”
He also spoke of partnering with the National Assembly to attract other institutions to the area, noting that the FCTA is ready to allocate land to fast-track national projects.
Fixing the Infrastructure Gap
Wike acknowledged a major problem with land development in Abuja — poor infrastructure. “We allocate land, but there’s no road, no water, no power — so people just abandon it,” he said.
That’s now changing. “We’re going to change the narrative,” Wike promised. “Basic infrastructure is the magnet that brings in investors and residents. We’ll do everything we can to make this place livable and functional.”
In one sweeping move, Wike has not only redrawn UniAbuja’s land footprint — he’s also made a bold play to reshape Giri District into a modern hub of education, governance, and investment. Whether it sparks new growth or further tension with institutions remains to be seen.
