Residents of Suleja, 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 a member of the association, 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.
He said the facility temporarily accommodated some officials involved in the development of the Federal Capital Territory before the eventual relocation of the administration to Abuja.
According to him, 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.
He said the subsequent allocation of the property for the development of an IBBU campus was welcomed by the community, adding that the proposed conversion to a market had raised concerns among residents.
Ishaq argued that Suleja required more educational facilities rather than another market, noting that the town already had several markets.
He further alleged that the government had revoked the allocation and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private developer for the proposed market despite efforts by the association to secure a meeting with the governor.
The association called on the Niger State Government to suspend the proposed development and consult the Suleja community before proceeding with the project.
Ishaq acknowledged the government’s responsibility to provide infrastructure and promote economic development but stressed that due process should be followed, particularly given the historical and community interests associated with the property.
The Niger State Government’s position on the allegations and the status of the proposed market was not immediately available.
The development follows recent stakeholder discussions on the proposed project, with further consultations reportedly expected to take place.
