The  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has decried the failure of the University of Abuja to develop its vast land allocation, describing the situation as “unacceptable.”

Speaking with journalists  after inspecting the access road to the EFCC Academy in Giri District — which falls within the university’s over 10,000-hectare expanse — Wike questioned the rationale behind acquiring such a large parcel of land without commensurate development.

“This tour has opened our eyes to the kind of land the University of Abuja has acquired. It’s not acceptable,” he said. “Grabbing land is not the whole thing. What is important is its development.”

He challenged the university’s justification for holding onto the land for “futuristic purposes,” stressing that the hallmark of a great university is its infrastructure, not its land size.

“You can have 20,000 hectares of land, but if there is no infrastructure, what does it help? Before you know it, they begin to lease it out to people. That doesn’t make sense,” Wike added.

Reiterating the FCT Administration’s policy, the Minister warned that undeveloped land would be repossessed and reallocated to those willing to build on it. “If they give you land, you develop it. If you don’t, government will take it back,” he emphasized.

Wike also noted the non-development of land allocated to the Nigeria Police in the same area, expressing hope that the ongoing road construction would spur action.

On other inspections, Wike commended the progress of the 15-kilometer Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to Wassa, handled by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC). He praised the contractor’s dedication and assured Nigerians of the administration’s commitment to completing projects ahead of the President’s second anniversary.

“We are very happy with the quality of work. Mr. President will also be happy when he comes to inaugurate these projects,” he said. “This administration believes in completing projects, not abandoning them.”