The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of forcefully taking over land belonging to the University of Abuja.
According to the union, the land was originally allocated for academic and agricultural purposes, but the minister’s action poses a serious threat to the university’s future expansion and research activities.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, raised the concern during a closed-door meeting with the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund in Abuja on Friday.
Piwuna warned that the encroachment by the FCT Administration could stifle innovation and undermine the institution’s long-term development goals.
“That land is crucial for research, expansion, and innovation. If the minister succeeds, he would be choking the future of education in the capital,” he stated.
Responding to the union’s concerns, the committee chairman, Senator Mohammed Dandutse, assured that the Senate would intervene and engage the minister to prevent the takeover.
