By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised the alarm regarding the University of Abuja, saying the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is planning to take over some portions of the 10,000 hectares of the land belonging to the university.
ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, disclosed this while appearing before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday, October 17.
Piwuna also at the venue warned that if the government did not prioritise consistent and adequate funding, the challenges facing higher education in the country would persist.
According to him, Wike is planning to allegedly encroach on a portion of the 10,000 hectares of land belonging to the University of Abuja.
He said: “We are worried because the University of Abuja is located in the FCT. Anyone serious about higher education should be focused on developing it. 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.”
Recall that ASUU, on Monday, October 13, declared a two-week warning strike to protest the government’s failure to honour agreements reached with the union.
Among the union’s demands are improvement in the work conditions of lecturers, the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of withheld salaries, and sustainable funding for the revitalisation of public universities.
