UNIABUJA Land Revocation Sparks Debate Over University Autonomy

Recently, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, took a controversial decision to cut the University of Abuja’s (UNIABUJA) land from 11,000 hectares to 4,000 hectares. This action has drawn mixed reactions from different stakeholders. The minister cited unauthorised land acquisition and underutilisation as reasons for the action, but critics argue it could hinder the university’s long-term growth.

At an event in Abuja, Wike described the previous land allocation as excessive, accusing the university of fencing large areas without proper approval. “The university on its own grabbed 11,000 hectares; this is unacceptable. No document, nothing,” he said. The minister directed the reallocation of the surplus land for planned urban development within the FCT.

Supporters of the decision argue that much of the university’s land has been underutilised for decades. Public affairs analyst Jonathan Adejor noted that the size of a campus does not necessarily determine its success. He mentioned schools like the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Covenant University, which are renowned for their academic excellence, despite their relatively small campuses. Adejor described the move as a chance for UNIABUJA to focus on strategic land use and infrastructure development rather than maintaining vast, idle spaces.

Former students of the institution and university authorities, however, strongly opposed the revocation. The UNIABUJA Alumni Association described the action as “unlawful” and warned it could undermine future expansion plans, particularly for faculties, research centres, and agricultural zones. They stressed that the land was lawfully allocated in 1988 and protected under the Land Use Act. University spokesperson, Dr. Habib Yakoob, said the school has valid documents for the land and has been developing it with support from TETFund and the federal government.

Experts believe that land is a long-term investment for public universities, as it is valuable for research, farming, and building innovation parks. Many public commentators have warned that taking away university land without proper planning could hinder future growth and limit the institution’s self-sustenance.

The issue has also sparked broader debate about balancing city development with the expansion of higher education in the FCT. While the government wants to reclaim unused land for urban projects, universities insist that enough space must be kept for teaching, research, and academic development.

UNIABUJA is expected to engage in consultations with the FCT administration to seek a possible review or phased implementation of the land reduction. Civil society groups and alumni have already begun lobbying for a compromise to protect critical sections of the university’s master plan.

As the discussion continues, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how Nigeria balances urban growth with the strategic needs of its public universities.