The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Abuja Zone, has condemned the Niger State Government over what it described as intimidation, threats and an attempted forceful takeover of the Bosso Campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna).
The union warned that the dispute has escalated into a national issue involving land ownership, federal authority and institutional autonomy.
The union made its position known at a press conference held at FUTMinna’s Gidan-Kwano Campus along the Minna-Bida Road, where ASUU Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Adam Al-Amin Abdullahi, asserted that the Bosso Campus remains the property of the federal government and not a leased asset.
He said the campus was legally acquired by the federal government in 1983 for ₦2.8 million and has remained a federal property since then.
Prof. Abdullahi noted that the crisis began after the Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago publicly declared his intention to repossess the campus, claiming that the lease had expired, and subsequently issued quit notices in October and November 2025 directing the university to vacate the premises.
He explained that in February 2026, a delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba went to the Bosso campus and began marking out portions of the land for state use without prior notice or engagement with university authorities, an action ASUU described as institutional disrespect and a violation of due process.
Highlighting the significance of the campus, he added: “The Bosso Campus hosts staff residences, academic departments, research laboratories, student hostels, and other critical facilities. Any attempt to displace the university or force shared use could disrupt academic activities and spark unnecessary conflicts.”
On the role of the university’s Governing Council in the dispute, Prof. Abdullahi stated: “We regret to say that Dr Mohammed Kudu Santuraki, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, has supported a position that undermines the university. We therefore declare him a persona non grata and call on the Federal Government to appoint a leader capable of safeguarding FUTMinna’s interests.”
Dr Santuraki currently serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of FUTMinna.
While reaffirming solidarity with the FUTMinna branch of ASUU and the university administration, Prof Abdullahi urged the Niger State Government to retract from what he called an “unprecedented and unjustified” dispute and respect the institution’s ownership of the campus.
Receive Alerts On:
Facebook: METRODAILYNG Twitter: @METRODAILYNG
REACH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH METRO DAILY NIGERIA. ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO USERS ONLINE TODAY. KINDLY CONTACT US FOR YOUR ADVERTS OR PUBLICATIONS AT INFO@METRODAILYNG.COM