Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, the acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), has responded to allegations by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who claimed the university had “grabbed” 11,000 hectares of land in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Manko clarified that the land in question is a “legacy asset” granted to the institution by the Federal Government.
“The land belongs to us. It was given to us lawfully by the Federal Government,” she said. “We have plans for it — from agriculture, to research centres, to staff quarters and student hostels.”
Wike had made the allegation during the inauguration of the Giri District access road on June 30, accusing the university of illegally fencing off vast portions of land.
“No document, nothing. That’s all you see there — fencing everywhere,” Wike said. “Before you know it, they were going to sell our land. So I’ve told the Director of Lands and other relevant agencies to carve out 4,000 hectares and give it to the university. We can’t allow this at all.”
Plans and Partnerships for the Land
Manko countered Wike’s assertion, explaining that the university has legitimate uses for the land, though its development has been slow due to funding constraints.
“Yes, we don’t have the resources to develop it all at once,” she said, “but we’ve signed MoUs with partners to begin construction gradually. The vision is long-term.”
According to her, the university’s current staff quarters are temporary and built on land previously allocated by the military. Permanent quarters, she added, are part of the planned development on the 11,000 hectares.
“We have agriculture projects in the works, plans for tourism sites, innovation hubs, and student-friendly facilities,” Manko noted. “University land is never too much.”
The VC acknowledged Wike’s role as “landlord of the FCT” but insisted the issue is being addressed within appropriate legal and administrative frameworks.
She did not confirm whether the Federal Government had formally responded to Wike’s position but stressed the land was not acquired improperly.
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