Suleja residents protest conversion of IBB University land to market

By Daniel Tyokua

Residents of Suleja, Niger State, under the aegis of the Suleja Development Association (SUDA), have protested the planned conversion of land earmarked for the Suleja Campus of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) into a market.

The association urged Governor Mohammed Bago to halt the proposed conversion, arguing that the land was originally acquired and designated for educational purposes and should not be diverted to commercial use.

Briefing journalists on Thursday, SUDA National President, Mohammed Ishaq, who spoke through a member of the association, Prof. Sulieman Abdul, said the planned conversion was against the educational needs and historical interests of the Suleja community.

Ishaq recalled that the area, known as Field Base, was established in 1977 as an operational base for staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) during the construction of the Federal Capital City.

He said the facility temporarily accommodated key officials involved in the development of the Federal Capital Territory, including ministers and pioneer FCDA personnel, before the eventual relocation of the administration to Abuja.

According to him, the property was formally handed over to the Suleja people on October 30, 2007, during the administration of former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, at the palace of the Emir of Suleja, with documents duly executed by the parties involved.

He said the subsequent allocation of the land for the IBB University campus was welcomed by the community, adding that its proposed conversion to a market had raised serious concerns among residents.

Ishaq said any decision concerning the Field Base should take into account the circumstances surrounding its acquisition and the legitimate expectations of the Suleja community as the intended beneficiaries.

He argued that Suleja needed more educational facilities rather than another market, noting that the town already had several markets.

He further alleged that despite repeated efforts by the association to secure an audience with the governor over the matter, the government went ahead to revoke the allocation and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private developer for the construction of a market on the site.

The association appealed to the Niger State Government to suspend the proposed development and engage the Suleja community before taking any further action on the property.

Ishaq said, “We recognise the legitimate responsibility of government to provide infrastructure, promote economic development and undertake projects. However, due process must be followed, particularly where the historical and community interests attached to the property are concerned,” he said.

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