ASUU threatens strike over UniAbuja land allocation
The union says FCT Minister Nyesom Wike allocated university land to private individuals despite a court order.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Abuja has threatened industrial action if the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, does not reverse the alleged unlawful allocation of university land. ASUU Chairperson, Prof. Sylvanus Ugoh, stated on Tuesday in Abuja that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on campus.
Ugoh cited a court order from August 18, 2026, from Justice F.E. Mesiri of Maitama High Court, restraining the FCT Minister from encroaching on university land. Despite this, Wike allegedly allocated portions of the university's 11,824 hectares to companies and individuals on September 26, 2026. The minister had previously announced on June 30, 2025, the retrieval of 7,000 hectares from the university's allocation.
The union argued that the land, allocated in 1988, is federal government property intended for long-term development, research, and environmental conservation. ASUU pointed to other universities like the University of Ilorin (15,000 hectares) and Obafemi Awolowo University (13,000 hectares) to justify the University of Abuja's land size.
Why it mattersUniversity staff and students face potential disruption to academic activities if the land dispute escalates into industrial action.