Suleja residents oppose plan to convert IBB University land into a market

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

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

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, SUDA National President Mohammed Ishaq, represented by association member Prof. Sulieman Abdul, said the proposed conversion could undermine the educational needs and historical interests of the Suleja community.

Ishaq said the property, popularly known as Field Base, was established in 1977 as an operational base for staff of the then Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) during the construction of the Federal Capital City, and temporarily accommodated officials involved in the development of the Federal Capital Territory before the administration relocated to Abuja.

He said the property was 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, and that its subsequent allocation for the development of an IBBU campus was welcomed by the community.

Ishaq argued that Suleja requires more educational facilities rather than another market, noting that the town already has several markets. He further alleged that the government had revoked the allocation and entered into a memorandum of understanding with a private developer for the proposed market despite efforts by the association to secure a meeting with the governor, and called for the project to be suspended pending consultation.