A civil society group has condemned the demolition of a multi-billion naira Cancer Center at the Margaret Lawrence University Teaching Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. The center, which was under construction, was demolished by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
The hospital is located in the high-end River Park Estate, and construction of the Cancer Center began a year ago. However, without prior notice, bulldozers arrived at the site and reduced the structure to rubble. The Centre For Human Rights And Advocacy In Africa Network described the demolition as “high-handed, insensitive, barbaric, and unacceptable” in a statement co-signed by its Executive Director, Henry Abba, and Director of Programmes, Michael Ikwebe.
The group expressed shock and disbelief at the demolition, noting that it had been ongoing for over a year. They questioned the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s actions, stating that no reason was given for the demolition. The group also alleged that the demolition was part of a larger policy to claim portions of land within the estate, which they described as “land grabbing” disguised as urban development.
The demolition is not an isolated incident, as 35 structures have been demolished in the estate over the past three days on the directive of the Ministerial Taskforce set up by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The civil society group strongly condemned the continued demolition of structures in River Park Estate and appealed to the FCT Minister to call the Ministerial Committee to order.
Efforts to reach the management of Margaret Lawrence University Teaching Hospital for comment were unsuccessful. The demolition of the Cancer Center has raised concerns about the impact on healthcare services in the area. The incident has also highlighted tensions between the Federal Capital Territory Administration and residents of the estate, who are seeking clarity on the administration’s policies and actions.
