EXCLUSIVE: Wike Accused of Allocating Over 2,000 Hectares of Prime Abuja Land to His Son Amidst Worker Salary Backlogs and Education Crisis
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been accused of gross abuse of office after allegedly allocating over 2,000 hectares of prime Abuja land — worth more than $3.6 billion — to his son, Joaquin Wike. This was revealed in an exclusive report by Peoples Gazette, citing official documents and testimony from multiple senior insiders.
According to the report, the alleged land grab began shortly after Wike took office in August 2023. The allocations were made through Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd, a company registered on October 10, 2024 — just days before it began receiving massive swaths of land from the minister.
On October 17, 2024, Wike approved 350 hectares to Joaq Farms under File No. 155882, with Certificate of Occupancy No. 0000162. In a single day, February 25, 2025, Wike personally signed six additional certificates — File Nos. 159134 to 159140 — all tied to Joaquin’s company.
“When we told the minister in April that he needed to slow down on frequent allocations to his own children, he said he was just starting because his goal was to make them the largest landowners in Abuja,” — a senior aide to the FCT Minister told Peoples Gazette under anonymity.
Illegal Land Acquisitions and Unpaid Fees
The report states that Wike bypassed key regulations and failed to pay statutory fees such as ground rent, registration, and survey charges. These acts, critics argue, violate the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
The lands, located in Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape, Bwari, and Gaduwa, total about 2,082 hectares — equivalent to 40,000 plots. One official noted:
“He has certificates of occupancy for all the lands, that’s what makes it even more lucrative,” — FCTA staff source told Peoples Gazette.
Seizure of Private and Diplomatic Lands
The Gazette’s investigation uncovered that Wike forcefully seized plots from private individuals, including a middle-class family in the Gaduwa area, who declined to speak out due to fear of government retaliation.
Additionally, Wike allegedly seized plots originally belonging to the Austrian Embassy in the Central Area, reallocating them for personal benefit.
National Infrastructure Reallocated to Private Firm
Civil society organization, Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), accused Wike of reallocating land meant for the National Railway Station to a private company, NY New Construction Limited, on August 30, 2024.
“This reallocation raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the misuse of national infrastructure,” — Comrade Michael Briggs, National Coordinator of TAN, said in a statement.
Briggs emphasized that Plot 1398 was designated as a Public Transport Utility to facilitate seamless national rail connections — not for private development.
Teachers Strike, Salary Arrears, and Public Outrage
While these multi-billion-naira allocations were underway, primary school teachers in the FCT have been on strike since March 24, 2025, over the non-payment of salaries, arrears, and non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage. The strike has disrupted education for over 90 days, leaving thousands of pupils at home.
In addition, several departments under the FCT Administration — including water, broadcasting, and environmental services — reportedly face months of unpaid wages.
Presidency Frustrated, But Silent
Despite the weight of the allegations, insiders say the Presidency remains hesitant to act.
“Let me be honest with you and tell you that Nyesom Wike is a serious liability to the Tinubu administration,” — a senior aide in the State House told Peoples Gazette.
“While we’re focused on tackling the economy and insecurity, he’s busy seizing lands from Abuja residents and reallocating them to himself,” — the aide added.
When asked about potential consequences, the official noted:
“The president would eventually have to decide on what to do with the minister. But predicting whether that is going to be before or after the election is beyond my service charge.”
Previous Accusations and Public Criticism
In November 2024, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju openly criticized Wike following the demolition of a community in Abuja by a task force operating under his authority.
“Wike should stop grabbing people’s land and giving them to his cronies,” — Deji Adeyanju said during a media exchange.
Minister’s Office Responds
When contacted by Peoples Gazette, Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, said:
“I am not aware of any development as such and can’t give comments on what I don’t have knowledge of.”
As pressure mounts from civil society, the media, and within government circles, all eyes remain on President Tinubu’s response to a scandal many say could shake confidence in the administration’s anti-corruption promises.