Thousands of students and staff at Nigeria’s Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), face academic disruption as the Niger State Government seeks to take over the university’s Bosso Campus during ongoing examinations. The state claims the campus was leased for 30 years, an agreement it says expired, and intends to reallocate the facilities for medical students at the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai Teaching Hospital (IBBUTH).
The university and its stakeholders reject the state’s claim, asserting permanent federal ownership acquired in 1983. They warn that any relocation would sever access to critical laboratories, libraries, and hostels for over 25,000 students, severely impacting academic progress during a crucial assessment period.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago defended the government’s position in a television interview, stating the land belongs to the state and was only temporarily ceded. He cited decaying infrastructure and argued the facility is underused, proposing a co-sharing arrangement for medical students. “The C of O is ours. The land belongs to us,” he said.
However, FUTMINNA management, backed by documentation reviewed by this publication, provided payment records from 1982–1983 showing the federal purchase of the former Government Teachers’ College, Minna. The university cited the Land Use Act of 1978, which vests such acquisitions permanently in the federal government, and noted the state has produced no lease agreement. A statement from the university warned that repossession would constitute unlawful dispossession of federal property and cause massive academic disruption.
Student and staff unions have mobilised in opposition. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) described the state’s move as “desperate and illegal,” urging federal intervention. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued an ultimatum, later suspended pending federal talks, and pledged support for the university. Students’ Union leaders reported incidents of state officials asking residents to vacate female hostels, heightening anxiety.
A federal mediation meeting convened by the Minister of Education on March 10, 2026, marked a shift in the dispute. FUTMINNA’s Vice-Chancellor presented video evidence of active academic use and payment vouchers for the 1983 acquisition. While the state did not provide lease documents, Governor Bago reportedly threatened to revoke Certificates of Occupancy. Discussions moved from a full takeover to proposals for shared access to facilities for IBBUTH medical students.
The state’s pursuit stems from its stalled efforts to secure accredited clinical training sites. Its redevelopment of Shiroro Hotel for a teaching hospital is mired in litigation, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NUC) recently refused accreditation for Minna General Hospital. The IBB Specialist Hospital remains unaccredited, leaving Bosso Campus as a sought-after, yet contested, alternative.
Legal experts caution that a state repossession of federally owned land would violate property laws and set a concerning precedent. Parents and analysts stress that academic calendars must not be politicised, highlighting national implications for federal institution autonomy and student welfare.
The outcome now hinges on continued federal dialogue. With exams in progress, both sides are under pressure to reach a resolution that safeguards academic continuity while addressing the state’s clinical training needs.
