FUT Minna Lecturers and Students Protest Government’s Attempt to Take Over Bosso Campus
The lecturers and students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, have organized a peaceful protest against a directive from the Niger State Government instructing the university management to vacate its Bosso Campus in the state capital.
Professor Luqman Kunle Oyewobi, Chairperson of ASUU at FUTMINNA, explained that following a notice of lease revocation for the university’s land, the state government proceeded on Thursday to allocate the land for new projects.
Participants held placards bearing messages such as “Bago, leave Bosso Campus alone,” “Our VC is not a state civil servant, show him some respect,” and “We will resist every land grabber.”
Professor Oyewobi emphasized that several key departments and laboratories remain operational at Bosso Campus, pending transfer to the permanent site at Gidan Kwano.
He also highlighted that many students and staff still reside in the hostels and staff quarters on Bosso Campus.
The ASUU leader contested Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s claim that Bosso Campus was only leased temporarily, describing the assertion as factually incorrect and historically misleading.
Reaffirming ASUU’s commitment, Professor Oyewobi stated the union would pursue all lawful means to ensure that the campus remains under FUTMINNA’s ownership and control as guaranteed by federal law.
Professor Jonathan O. Ndagi, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of FUTMINNA, condemned the attempted forceful takeover as an assault on academic freedom and a breach of the rights of staff and students to assemble, work, teach, learn, and research in a secure environment, rights protected by Nigeria’s Constitution.
In separate interviews, Mfon Joseph Jonah, Vice President of the Students’ Union Government, expressed concern over the fear and uncertainty among students living in the hostels at Bosso Campus following the eviction order issued by the Niger State Government.
