BY EDMOND ODOK – Acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (Former University of Abuja), Professor Lar Patricia Manko says there is no truth in the allegations that the institution is involved in land grabbing.
Prof Manko spoke against the backdrop of remarks by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike accusing the University of illegal or underhand seizing of land.
She maintained that the expanse of land being referred was legitimately given to the institution by the Federal Government and the Minister cannot make such unsubstantiated claims.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, the Acting Vice Chancellor explained that the 11,000 hectares of land in contention is a legacy asset from the government and the University land can never be too much given the plethora of use for the property.
According to Manko, the controversy over the institution’s legitimate ownership of 11,000 hectares of land is already being handled, adding that the university has plans for the use of the expanse of land ranging from agriculture, tourism, research centres, quarters for members of staff and student hostels, among others.
She said due to lack of fund to finance some of the projects, the University has entered into some Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for the development.
Also, the Acting VC disclosed that the current University’s staff quarters are temporarily built on plots of land given to it by the Military and there are plans to construct permanent structures at the its permanent site.
Prof Manko said there are many investors who are partnering with the institution in the development of the projects on the 11,000 hectares of land.
Recalled that at the inauguration of access road to Giri district in FCT on June 30, 2025, the Minister claimed that the University “grabbed 11,000” hectares of land without appropriate documentation.
On that occasion, Wike had said, “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.” – With NAN reports
