Wike’s Land Reforms in Abuja: Bold Vision or Backdoor for Land Appropriation?

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By Bukar Mohammed, Governance and Public Policy Analyst

The land reforms recently introduced by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have been applauded by some as decisive steps toward restoring order in Abuja’s urban landscape. However, for many stakeholders and policy observers, the reforms raise concerns about their fairness, transparency, and long-term impact on citizens’ rights.

While the reforms emphasize ultimatums and revocations of undeveloped plots, they fall short in addressing deeper structural issues like equitable access to land, consistent infrastructure delivery, and inclusive urban planning. For a city as diverse and symbolic as Abuja, these gaps cannot be ignored.

Equity in Land Allocation: The Unspoken Challenge

One of the most glaring omissions in the reform agenda is the lack of attention to how land is allocated in the first place. Over time, land in the FCT has become concentrated in the hands of a privileged few, often through opaque processes and informal networks. Indigenous communities, long-term leaseholders, and ordinary citizens remain at a disadvantage, while well-connected individuals appear to secure large plots with ease.

If the reforms are to inspire trust and ensure sustainability, they must tackle the structural inequalities that have plagued Abuja’s land administration for decades.

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Accountability Must Be Mutual

The reforms impose tight deadlines on landowners to develop their plots or risk revocation. Yet, in many cases, these lands remain undeveloped not out of neglect but due to the absence of basic infrastructure—roads, electricity, water—needed to make construction feasible.

Good governance demands reciprocity. Just as citizens are expected to fulfill their obligations, so too must the government outline and meet its own commitments. A reform framework that only holds one party accountable is incomplete.

Judiciary and Executive: Blurred Lines?

Recent initiatives by the FCT Administration to build residential estates for members of the judiciary—though arguably well-intentioned—have prompted questions about separation of powers. While supporting judicial officers is important, critics have expressed concern that such actions may create the appearance of undue influence or dependency.

In a democratic system, the perception of institutional independence is as important as its reality. Public confidence in the judiciary hinges on its ability to operate without real or perceived interference.

Abuja Is Not Rivers

Abuja’s status as the Federal Capital carries unique responsibilities. Its residents come from every corner of the nation and expect governance that reflects fairness, consultation, and national unity. Minister Wike’s firm style of administration, effective in his previous roles, must adapt to the more inclusive and institutional framework that Abuja demands.

The FCT is not a personal estate—it is a national symbol. Policies must be tailored to reflect that distinction.

Land Reforms or Land Appropriation?

Many observers have raised concerns that lands revoked due to alleged underdevelopment are later reallocated under conditions that lack transparency. Without clear public records, mechanisms for redress, or safeguards for long-term leaseholders, such practices risk being viewed as serving narrow interests.

What is needed is a reform agenda rooted in transparency, participation, and justice—not one that feeds the perception of elite land capture.

What Must Be Done

To regain public trust and deliver meaningful reform, the FCT Administration should:

• Publish transparent records of land allocations and revocations.

• Establish an independent land tribunal to handle disputes and complaints.

• Provide timelines and commitments for government infrastructure in undeveloped districts.

• Recognize indigenous communities and existing titleholders, with appropriate mechanisms for engagement or compensation.

• Ensure the judiciary remains institutionally independent, avoiding policies that could undermine public perception.

Conclusion

Land reform in the FCT is long overdue. But reforms must reflect not just urgency, but fairness. Not just authority, but accountability. Abuja deserves policies that protect the rights of its residents while advancing the city’s development goals.

Anything less risks eroding the very trust needed to build the capital city of our collective future.

Bukar Mohammed is a governance and public policy analyst. He writes from Kano.