A civil society group has condemned the demolition of a multi‑billion‑naira Cancer Centre at the Margaret Lawrence University Teaching Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. The centre, which was under construction, was razed by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Saturday, 13 September 2025. Located in the upscale River Park Estate, construction of the Cancer Centre began a year ago, but bulldozers arrived without prior notice 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 Executive Director Henry Abba and Director of Programmes Michael Ikwebe. The group expressed shock and disbelief, noting that the project had been ongoing for over a year and that no reason was given for the demolition. They alleged that the action formed part of a broader policy to seize portions of land within the estate, which they characterised as “land grabbing” disguised as urban development.
This incident is not isolated. In the past three days, 35 structures have been demolished in River Park Estate on the directive of a ministerial taskforce set up by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The civil society group strongly condemned the continued demolitions and appealed to the FCT Minister to call the ministerial committee to order. Attempts to contact the management of Margaret Lawrence University Teaching Hospital for comment were unsuccessful.
The demolition of the Cancer Centre has raised concerns about the impact on healthcare services in the area and highlighted tensions between the Federal Capital Territory Administration and estate residents, who are seeking clarity on the administration’s policies and actions.
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