The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to the Senate to intervene in what it described as an attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to acquire portions of land belonging to the University of Abuja.
The union expressed deep concern over the development, warning that any encroachment on the institution’s property would undermine the university’s growth and long-term expansion plans.
“We are worried because the University of Abuja is located in the FCT. Anyone serious about higher education should be focused on developing it,” ASUU President Professor Chris Piwuna said during its appearance before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday.
“If the minister wants land, he should look in the opposite direction. The university has over 10,000 hectares of land. Despite repeated calls, the FCT minister continues to show interest in acquiring part of it. We appeal to the Senate to intervene and prevail on the minister to leave the university land alone,” the union leader added.
The university’s expansive land, originally designated for academic and infrastructural development, has long been the subject of contention, with the union insisting that any attempt to appropriate portions of it for other purposes would jeopardize future educational projects.
Meanwhile, ASUU reiterated its call for increased funding of public universities, insisting that sustained investment in higher education remains the only viable solution to ending strikes and improving Nigeria’s standing in global university rankings.
READ ALSO: ‘Please don’t allow my husband die in DSS cell’, Kanu’s wife begs Justice Omotosho
The union, said the current two-week warning strike stemmed from unresolved issues dating back to 2011.
“We engaged the Federal Government for eight years without tangible results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this industrial action began,” Piwuna said.
He urged the Senate to press the government to release the ₦150 billion approved for university revitalisation, noting that only ₦50 billion had so far been disbursed and that even this amount remained withheld by the Ministry of Education.
According to him, the ministry’s alleged plan to share the funds among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education contradicts the budgetary approval, which earmarked the funds specifically for universities.
“Try us. Push the government to fund universities adequately and you’ll see the end of strikes and an improvement in our global rankings,” the ASUU president told the senators.
ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike on October 13 over unresolved demands relating to the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, withheld salaries, and the need for sustainable funding for public universities.
The Federal Government, however, insists it has met most of the union’s demands and remains open to continued negotiation, even as it enforces the no-work, no-pay policy against striking lecturers.
The post ASUU raises alarm, alleges attempt by Wike to seize UNIAbuja land appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
