The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, has responded to the allegation of land grabbing levelled against the institution by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Prof. Manko defended the university’s ownership of the disputed 11,000 hectares of land, describing it as a legacy asset duly allocated by the Nigerian government.
She emphasised that while she acknowledges the authority of the FCT Minister as the custodian of Abuja’s land, the land in question remains critical to the long-term development plans of the institution.
Acknowledging Wike’s role as the FCT’s landlord, the Vice Chancellor stated that the university’s land is not excessive, as the institution has numerous plans and uses for the property.
It had been reported that during the inauguration of the access road to the Giri District in the FCT on June 30, Wike had accused the university of “grabbing” 11,000 hectares of land.
“No document, nothing. That’s all you see there, fencing everywhere. And before you know it, they were going to sell our land. So, I’ve told the Director of Lands and the other relevant agencies to carve out 4,000 hectares and give it to the university.
“They are the ones who are going to protect it because we are going to provide the roads here. And that’s the situation. We cannot allow it at all,” the minister had said.
Prof. Lar Patricia Manko clarified that the 11,000 hectares of land in question were lawfully allocated to the university by the federal government, adding that the matter is already being addressed through appropriate channels.
She explained that the university has comprehensive plans for the land, including projects in agriculture, tourism, research centres, staff housing, and student hostels, among others.
However, due to limited funding, the institution has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partners to facilitate the development of these projects.
Manko further disclosed that the current staff quarters are temporarily situated on land previously allocated to the university by the military, with plans underway to construct permanent facilities at the university’s permanent site.
She added that numerous investors are currently collaborating with the university to develop the 11,000-hectare property.