, Nyesom Wike, has raised concerns regarding the underutilization of over 10,000 hectares of land allocated to the University of Abuja, urging for urgent development of the vast space.){kind=link}
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has raised concerns regarding the underutilization of over 10,000 hectares of land allocated to the University of Abuja, urging for urgent development of the vast space.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Barr. Wike addressed the issue after inspecting the access road leading to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy in Giri District, which is part of the university’s landholdings.
He described the continued non-development of the land as unacceptable.
“This tour has shown us the kind of land the University of Abuja has. It’s not acceptable. You can’t just hold onto land without developing it. I don’t understand why a university would acquire such a large expanse of land without a clear plan for its development,” Wike said.
The Minister questioned the rationale behind acquiring such an extensive area of land, stating that it is the infrastructure within the land that defines a university’s quality, not the mere size of its property.
He added that acquiring land for “futuristic purposes” without any immediate development does not serve the educational goals of the institution.
“Grabbing land isn’t the solution. What makes a university is its infrastructure and facilities, not the vastness of its land. A university can have 20,000 hectares, but without the proper infrastructure, it’s meaningless,” Wike emphasized.
The Minister further reiterated the FCT Administration’s policy that land must be developed once allocated.
He warned that failure to do so would result in the land being reallocated to other developers. “If you acquire land, you must develop it. If not, the government will take it back and give it to those who are ready to develop it. That is our stance,” he stated.
Also, Wike highlighted concerns about the undeveloped land allocated to the Nigerian Police in the same area. He expressed hope that ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the new road development, would motivate other landholders to start development activities.
The Minister also provided an update on other ongoing key infrastructure projects, including the 15-kilometer Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) being constructed by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC).
Wike praised the project’s progress and the quality of construction observed, commending the contractor for their commitment to delivering high-standard infrastructure.
“Seeing the progress on these projects gives us confidence that promises made will be kept. The government is committed to fulfilling its promises, and we are determined to ensure the timely completion of these projects in line with the President’s second anniversary plans,” the Minister added.
Wike concluded by reiterating the administration’s stance on completing contracts on schedule, emphasizing that the government does not support abandoned projects and will continue to partner with contractors to ensure the development of Abuja.