Wike Under Scrutiny Over 55.35 Hectares of Abuja Land Allocated to Private Developer
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come under scrutiny following revelations that the FCT Administration issued land allocation offers covering approximately 55.35 hectares in Abuja to a private company, Promiseland Building and Construction Limited.
The development has raised concerns among residents of Dakwa and neighbouring communities, where fears of possible demolition have reportedly generated tension.
According to an investigation published by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, documents obtained by the newspaper show that four parcels of land in Dakwa, Wuye and Abuja’s Central Area were offered to the developer for different mixed-use projects.
The combined land area is approximately 553,532 square metres, equivalent to 55.35 hectares.
However, questions have emerged over the conditions attached to the allocations, including whether the required payments were made and whether some offers remained valid after the stipulated acceptance period.
Documents Reveal Four Abuja Land Allocations
The documents cited in the investigation identify Promiseland Building and Construction Limited as the proposed beneficiary of four separate land allocations.
The largest is Plot 3635 in Cadastral Zone F11, Dakwa, covering 48.94 hectares.
According to the report, the land was designated for mixed-use development, with the stated purpose described as comprehensive development.
The offer was dated March 27, 2026, and carried a proposed lease term of 99 years.
The document reportedly fixed the land premium at ₦4,000 per square metre and the annual ground rent at ₦15 per square metre, subject to periodic review.
The second parcel, Plot 1842 in Cadastral Zone 803, Wuye, measures approximately 1.76 hectares and was offered for mixed-use development under a 99-year lease arrangement.
A third parcel, Plot 1843, also in Wuye, covers approximately 0.88 hectares and carries similar development conditions.
The fourth allocation concerns Plot 4588 in Abuja’s Central Area, measuring 3.77 hectares. Unlike the other three parcels, the Central Area plot carries a proposed lease term of 33 years.
Together, the four plots account for the approximately 55.35 hectares identified in the investigation.
Dakwa Residents Reportedly Oppose Possible Demolition
The controversy is particularly sensitive in Dakwa, where the largest parcel is located.
SaharaReporters quoted sources who alleged that residents of Dakwa and neighbouring communities were preparing to resist any attempt to demolish their settlements.
The newspaper reported that some residents had made threats of violence against anyone attempting to carry out demolition activities.
These threats have not been independently verified by CentralNewsNG, and the report did not establish that demolition operations had begun.
Nevertheless, the allegations raise concerns about the possibility of confrontation if land development activities proceed without resolving disputes involving affected communities.
Land disputes in the FCT frequently involve questions about existing settlements, development rights, compensation and the legal status of properties.
For affected residents, the immediate concerns may include whether their homes fall within the allocated land, whether any official demolition notices have been issued and what legal remedies are available.
The available report does not establish how many households could be affected by the Dakwa allocation.
Questions Raised Over 21-Day Acceptance Deadline
Beyond the concerns of residents, the investigation also questioned whether the developer complied with the conditions attached to the land offers.
According to the reported documents, the March 27 allocation offer required the company to complete the acceptance process within 21 days.
The process included payment of prescribed rents, fees and other charges, as well as submission of a completed acceptance letter and evidence of payment.
The offer stated that failure to satisfy the requirements within the specified period could cause it to lapse.
A source cited by SaharaReporters alleged that an allocation connected to Deidei village had expired after the acceptance deadline but was subsequently reprinted.
The source further alleged that the beneficiary had not paid the required charges for the Certificate of Occupancy.
These claims remain allegations. The documents described in the report do not independently establish that the developer failed to pay or that an invalid allocation was unlawfully revived.
Determining the legal status of the affected parcels would require confirmation from the FCT Department of Land Administration, including payment records and acceptance documentation.
What the Land Allocation Conditions Mean
The reported offer letters contain several conditions governing the developer’s proposed rights and obligations.
For the Dakwa parcel, the right of occupancy was stated to commence after the Department of Land Administration received the required payments and completed acceptance documents.
The company was also required to obtain appropriate development approvals before commencing construction.
Other conditions restricted the transfer, subdivision or mortgage of the land without meeting relevant requirements and obtaining the necessary consent.
The documents further provided for withdrawal or revocation of the right of occupancy if the applicable conditions were breached.
These provisions are important because an offer of land allocation is not necessarily the same as proof that all conditions have been fulfilled or that a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.
The distinction is central to the questions raised by the investigation.
Questions Over Land Records and File References
The SaharaReporters investigation also identified differences in the dates and file references attached to the four plots.
For instance, the report said the Dakwa parcel and the Central Area parcel carried the same file reference in the extracted records despite having different plot numbers, locations and offer dates.
The significance of that duplication has not been established.
It could require clarification from the relevant land administration officials to determine whether the records contain an administrative error or another explanation.
The report also noted an unclear premium entry for the Central Area plot, making it necessary to confirm the precise amount against the original document.
These details highlight the importance of accurate and transparent land records, particularly where allocations involve large parcels and communities concerned about possible displacement.
Wike’s Spokesperson Yet to Respond to Allegations
SaharaReporters said it contacted Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT minister, for comments on the allegations.
According to the newspaper, the message was read but no response was received before publication.
CentralNewsNG has not independently obtained a response from the FCT Administration or Promiseland Building and Construction Limited.
Their positions on the reported payment concerns, the legal status of the offers and the fears expressed by residents therefore remain outstanding.
Residents Await Clarity on Proposed Development
The reported allocations have brought renewed attention to the relationship between urban development and the interests of existing communities in the Federal Capital Territory.
While the FCT Administration has responsibility for land management and development approvals, disputes can arise when planned projects affect occupied settlements.
In the Dakwa case, several important questions remain unanswered, including whether the developer has completed the acceptance process, whether the land is subject to existing claims and whether any demolition exercise has been formally approved.
There is also a need to establish whether affected residents have received official communication about the proposed development.
For now, the investigation has disclosed land allocation offers involving approximately 55.35 hectares, alongside allegations about compliance with allocation conditions and reported fears among villagers.
Further clarification from the FCT Administration, the developer and affected communities will be necessary to establish the full circumstances of the dispute.
Source: SaharaReporters investigation published October 28, 2026, titled “Wike Allocates 55.35 Hectares Across Abuja To Private Developer Promiseland As Villagers Threaten To Resist Demolition.”
