A heated dispute has erupted between the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) staff, students, and the Niger State government over claims to the ownership of the university’s Bosso Campus.
Thousands of students and staff of the university are facing growing uncertainty following moves by the Governor Mohammed Umar Bago government to gain access to the institution’s Bosso Campus amid ongoing academic activities.
The government is said to have issued letters demanding that the institution vacate the campus, a demand that has generated anxiety among students and staff, particularly as it coincides with continuous assessments and preparations for examinations across several departments.
The state government insists that the Bosso Campus was only leased to the university for 30 years and that the agreement has now expired.
According to the government, the property is required to support the training of pioneer medical students at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Teaching Hospital, linked to the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
However, students, staff and university management have rejected the claim, maintaining that the campus was permanently acquired by the Federal Government and remains an active academic centre of the university.
The dispute has triggered widespread concern among students who rely heavily on facilities at the Bosso Campus for their studies.
Many pointed out that the campus houses laboratories, lecture theatres, libraries and hostels that support thousands of students.
A student who spoke anonymously said the timing of the dispute was particularly troubling because of ongoing academic assessments.
“We are writing continuous assessments now and preparing for exams. If we are asked to leave the campus suddenly, it will seriously affect our academic progress,” the student said.
Other students also warned that relocating at short notice could limit access to key academic resources and disrupt project submissions and deadlines.
Several students emphasised that Bosso Campus remains central to academic activities, especially for laboratory work, library access and student accommodation for both male and female students.
A visit to the campus by journalists confirmed that lectures, laboratory sessions and administrative work were ongoing despite the tensions surrounding the property.
Laboratories, classrooms and offices were seen in active use, contradicting claims that the facility had been abandoned.
Governor Bago defended the state’s action during an interview, describing the protests by students as “unfortunate.”
According to him, the Bosso Campus belongs to the Niger State Government and was only temporarily ceded to the university in 1985 under a 30-year lease arrangement.
He also claimed that some of the facilities at the campus had fallen into disrepair.
“We said let our medical students use the laboratories, hostels and lecture theatres.
“They are not running any programme there. Some of the laboratories are decaying because termites are eating the furniture. Why are people being selfish?” the governor said.
Bago further explained that the state government holds the Certificate of Occupancy for the land and that the original agreement required the university to vacate after the lease period.
“The C of O is ours. The land belongs to us. Even if FUT developed it, the agreement was to develop and exit after 30 years. That time has elapsed. We are only asking for co-sharing,” he stated.
The governor added that the Federal Minister of Education had been briefed about the matter and had recommended a facility-sharing arrangement to enable medical students of the teaching hospital to continue their training.
The proposed takeover has drawn strong condemnation from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter at FUT Minna.
The union’s chairman, Prof. Luqman Kunle Oyewobi, described the move as “desperate and illegal,” insisting that the Bosso Campus has been permanently owned by the Federal Government since 1983.
According to the union, any attempt to take over the campus would severely disrupt teaching, research, student services and community engagement.
ASUU also urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly and the National Universities Commission to intervene and reaffirm the Federal Government’s ownership of the property.
The National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone C, also reacted strongly to the development.
The zonal coordinator, Comrade Hussaini Jamilu Ebbo, initially issued a three-week ultimatum to the Niger State Government to suspend the planned takeover.
He warned that the action threatened the autonomy of federal institutions and the rights of students.
At a press conference held on March 4, 2026, Ebbo warned that the association could mobilise mass protests if the government failed to reverse its decision.
However, during another press briefing held at the Bosso Campus on March 5, organised by the Students’ Union Government, Ebbo announced that the ultimatum had been suspended pending intervention by the Federal Ministry of Education.
He urged students to remain calm and prioritise dialogue rather than confrontation.
“NANS Zone C stands firmly with the management, staff, and students of FUT Minna. We will continue to defend the integrity and autonomy of federal institutions across the North Central zone,” Daily Post quoted Ebbo as saying.
The Students’ Union Government of the university also rejected claims that the Bosso Campus had been abandoned for years.
The SUG President, Comrade Ezekiel Adaidu Machofo, said academic activities were ongoing at the facility and described the government’s claim as inaccurate.
Machofo further alleged that officials of the state government had earlier entered the female hostel on February 26, 2026, asking students to vacate the premises.
The incident, he said, heightened tension and anxiety among students.
He also argued that the campus was not leased but fully acquired by the Federal Government after a payment of ₦2.8 million to the Niger State Government between 1982 and 1983.
“Any disruption at this critical academic period would be deeply unfortunate and unacceptable,” Machofo said.
The university management has also maintained that the Bosso Campus is federal property.
In a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Lydia Legbo, the university explained that the former Government Teachers’ College in Minna was formally acquired by the Federal Government in 1983.
Legbo stated that there was no record of any lease agreement or temporary transfer between the state government and the university.
She also disclosed that additional parcels of land were lawfully acquired from private owners and incorporated into the campus.
The university cited official documents including the University Council meeting minutes of September 1983 and the Federal Government visitation panel report covering 1999–2003 as evidence confirming permanent acquisition.
According to the institution, extensive investments have been made in developing the campus, including construction and renovation of academic buildings, laboratories, lecture theatres, hostels, staff quarters, health facilities, places of worship and administrative offices.
The university warned that any attempt to repossess the campus would amount to dispossession of federal property and could disrupt academic programmes for more than 25,000 students across the Bosso and Gidan-Kwano campuses.
In response to the growing tension, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, convened a mediation meeting in Abuja on March 10, 2026.
The meeting brought together Governor Bago, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Yahaya Kuta, principal officers of the institution, representatives of staff unions and members of the alumni association.
According to the President of the university’s alumni association, Prof. Shola Gabriel Solomon, the vice-chancellor presented a nine-minute video showing ongoing academic activities at the Bosso Campus to counter claims that the facility had been abandoned.
He also presented payment vouchers and receipts indicating that the Federal Government made payments in 1983 for the outright acquisition of the former Teachers College, Minna.
Solomon said the Niger State Government did not present any documentary evidence supporting its claim of a lease agreement during the meeting.
He added that Governor Bago reportedly threatened to revoke Certificates of Occupancy for both Bosso and Gidan-Kwano campuses and even cut electricity supply to the university.
Despite the earlier tensions, the meeting reportedly marked a shift in tone as discussions moved away from a complete takeover of the Bosso Campus.
Instead, proposals were made for a facility-sharing arrangement that would allow medical students of the teaching hospital to access some facilities for clinical training.
Solomon said protests by students, staff and alumni helped change the direction of the discussions from takeover to collaboration.
Findings revealed that the Niger State Government had earlier invested billions of naira in redeveloping the Shiroro Hotel to serve as the teaching hospital for the medical programme.
However, the project stalled due to an ongoing ownership dispute involving Arewa Hotels and Kwara Hotels, which is currently before the court.
Subsequent efforts were reportedly made to use the Minna General Hospital for clinical training, but the National Universities Commission declined accreditation for the facility two weeks ago.
The development left the state government with limited options and reportedly prompted renewed attempts to secure access to the Bosso Campus.
Earlier on March 2, during the commissioning of remodelled facilities at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital, Governor Bago said the hospital could serve as another possible training centre for medical students.
However, the hospital is yet to receive accreditation from the NUC, leaving pioneer medical students uncertain about their clinical training arrangements.
Legal experts have warned that any unilateral attempt by a state government to repossess federally owned property could violate existing laws.
“The Bosso Campus is clearly vested in the Federal Government. Any attempt to take it over without due process would be unlawful,” Daily Post quoted a legal expert who spoke on anonymity as saying.
Parents have also expressed concern about the impact of the dispute on their children’s academic progress.
“Our children cannot afford delays in exams or hostels. The uncertainty is creating a lot of stress for us,” one parent said.
Education policy analysts also warned that disrupting academic schedules during continuous assessments and examinations could negatively affect students’ performance, graduation timelines and professional readiness.
They stressed that dialogue, transparency and respect for intergovernmental agreements are necessary to resolve the dispute and protect students.
According to them, safeguarding the autonomy of federal institutions is not only a local issue but also a matter of national education policy and student welfare.