The acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja, has responded to claims made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing the institution of illegally taking over large portions of land.
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The controversy began after Wike, during a road project inauguration in the Giri district on June 30, alleged that the university had seized 11,000 hectares of land without proper documentation. He expressed concern that the land was being fenced off and possibly prepared for sale. Wike directed officials to reclaim 4,000 hectares for the FCT, leaving a portion for the university to manage.
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The acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, said the land in question was legitimately allocated to the institution by the Federal Government and forms part of its legacy assets. According to her, the land is vital to the university’s long-term growth and serves many purposes beyond just academic use.
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Manko explained that the university plans to use the land for multiple developments, including agriculture, tourism, staff housing, student hostels, and research centres. She emphasized that the university is not hoarding land but is working with investors to turn the space into a hub for educational and community development.
Due to financial constraints, Manko said the university has signed agreements with private partners to help fund and implement several of these projects. She also revealed that the current staff quarters are on military-donated land, but the institution intends to build permanent accommodations on its main campus.
The university leadership believes the land ownership issue is being addressed and insists that its claim to the 11,000 hectares remains legal and aligned with its mission to expand and improve facilities for both students and staff.
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