Suleja elders in Niger State have opposed the proposed conversion of land earmarked for the Suleja campus of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), into a market.
The elders urged the Niger State Government to reconsider the proposal, saying the land should be preserved for its intended educational purpose to expand access to tertiary education in Suleja.
Speaking on behalf of the Suleja Development Association (SUDA), its Public Relations Officer, TPL Shuaibu Umar, said the association’s position was driven by the need to address the educational needs of the community.
Umar said the community had several markets but no tertiary institution, adding that establishing a university campus would provide greater opportunities for young people in Suleja and surrounding communities.
“We wish to respectfully reiterate that our demand is for the establishment of a higher institution of learning and not a commercial enterprise.
“We have many markets in the town, but no single tertiary institution.
“Our position is driven not by personal interest, but by a genuine concern for the future of Suleja Emirate, Niger State and Nigeria as a whole. The importance of education can never be overridden by any commercial venture,” he said.
SUDA had, on September 24, 2026, protested what it described as the revocation and reallocation of the Field Base-Suleja property.
The association said the land was allocated in 2007 for the establishment of an IBB University campus in Suleja but alleged that the Niger State Government was now seeking to convert the property for the construction of a market by Nigeria Army Properties Limited.
Umar said the association’s opposition was not politically motivated, stressing that the community was seeking a long-term investment in education rather than another commercial facility.
He said Suleja was among the highest revenue-generating local government areas in Niger State but argued that the community had not received commensurate development.
Umar cited the prolonged construction of township roads and the development of markets in the area as examples of projects that, according to him, should be considered alongside the community’s need for tertiary education.
He also referred to a Memorandum of Understanding reportedly signed between the Niger State Government and the ECOWAS Bank for the construction of Madalla Market, saying the project was yet to be fully developed.
“The Suleja International Market, developed at the former Army Barracks, has many empty spaces. There are many others,” he said.
Umar further argued that Suleja had not been adequately considered in the distribution of tertiary institutions across Niger State.
“What we need is the educational institution that we don’t have, not another market which we have in abundance,” he said.
He appealed to the Niger State Government to review the proposed conversion and engage with the community to find a resolution to the dispute.
Umar also appealed to the Nigerian Army to ensure that its involvement in the proposed project did not prevent the community from pursuing its educational needs.
He expressed concern that continued disagreement over the property could create tension in the community, particularly against the backdrop of wider security challenges in Niger State and other parts of the country.
According to him, SUDA had made several attempts to engage relevant government authorities over the matter but had yet to reach a resolution.
“All the towns in Niger have polytechnics, colleges of education and universities, but we don’t have anything in Suleja. The only one that is in place is about to be taken over.
“It is wrong, and we will not accept it. We are a peace-loving community. Our next step is litigation in the absence of any favourable response.
“Our stance on having the land as a university campus still remains,” he said.
The Niger State Government’s response to the latest position of the Suleja elders was not available at the time of filing this report.
