UniAbuja VC Hits Back at Wike, Says their 11,000 Hectares of Land Not Grabbed

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, has responded to allegations of land grabbing levelled against the institution by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Manko, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said the 11,000 hectares of land is a legacy asset given to the institution by the Federal Government.

While acknowledging Wike’s role as the FCT’s landlord, the VC noted that the university’s land is a valuable asset that can never be excessive, adding that the institution has a plethora of meaningful uses for the property.

Persecondnews recalls that during the inauguration of the access road to Giri district in the FCT on June 30, Wike alleged that the university had “grabbed 11,000” hectares of land.

“No document, nothing. That is all you see there, fencing everywhere. And before you know it, they were going to sell our land. So, I have 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 is the situation. We cannot allow it at all,” the minister had said.

But responding to Wike’s allegation, Manko said the 11,000 hectares were legitimately allocated to the institution by the Federal Government, adding that the controversy is already being addressed.

She said the university is actively planning to develop its extensive land holdings for a variety of purposes, including agriculture, tourism, research centers, staff quarters, and student hostels.

Acknowledging a shortage of funds for these ambitious projects, the acting Vice-Chancellor has confirmed that the institution has entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with numerous investors to facilitate development.

She also noted that the university’s current staff quarters are temporary structures built on land provided by the military, with plans in place to construct permanent facilities on the institution’s designated permanent site.