The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C (North Central), has issued a strong warning to the Niger State Government over alleged plans to forcefully take over the Bosso Campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna), describing the move as a grave threat to academic stability, institutional autonomy and students’ welfare.

The Zonal Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Hussaini Jamilu Ebbo, stated this during a press briefing held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the IBB Pen House, Minna. He warned that any attempt to disrupt academic activities or displace critical university facilities would be resisted through lawful means.

Ebbo said records clearly show that the Bosso Campus land was duly allocated to the Federal Government in 1980 for the establishment and development of FUT Minna, adding that the campus has since remained a core academic and administrative hub of the institution.

According to him, the campus houses at least nine major academic and support units, including staff quarters, the university clinic, the School of Science and Technology, FUT Minna Microfinance Bank, lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, studios, offices and other facilities essential to the university’s operations.

He alleged that the Niger State Government issued a letter dated October 3, 2025, claiming the land was on lease and that the lease had expired. A second letter, reportedly issued on November 27, 2025, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, reiterated the demand and urged the university to vacate the premises.

Ebbo said the Vice-Chancellor of FUT Minna had formally responded, explaining why the university could not vacate the campus due to its strategic importance to academic delivery and administration.

The NANS leader further noted that a 2014 memo by the National Universities Commission (NUC) clarified that lands and facilities provided by state governments for the take-off of federal universities do not revert to the states. He added that a Supreme Court judgment also affirms that such properties are not subject to reclamation under the Land Use Act once duly transferred for federal institutional purposes.

Ebbo expressed concern that the alleged move by the Niger State Government was coming at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing wide-ranging educational reforms and investing in the revitalisation of federal institutions nationwide.

He urged the state government to immediately halt any action capable of destabilising the university and to engage relevant federal authorities through constitutional and lawful channels if there are outstanding concerns.

“The education of Nigerian students must not be politicised or jeopardised. FUT Minna is a federal institution established for national development, and its assets must be protected in the interest of students and the country,” Ebbo said.