Radio House Land Grab Allegation: Workers Urge Wike To Halt ‘Forceful Takeover’ Of Govt Property

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ABUJA – Concerned staff members at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene and stop what they described as a forceful takeover of government land surrounding the iconic Radio House complex in Abuja.

In a letter addressed to the FCT Minister and signed by Nicholas James on behalf of the Concerned Staffs, the workers alleged that some influential individuals were attempting to appropriate portions of land within the Radio House premises for private commercial interests under the guise of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The petition, titled “Forceful Take Over of Government Land at Radio House, Garki An Appeal to Safeguard National Interest,” warned that the development could undermine the integrity of one of Abuja’s most recognizable public institutions.

According to the staff, the Radio House building in Area 10, Garki, is facing threats from what they described as “powerful private greedy faceless individuals” allegedly acting with the support of government insiders.

“The iconic government building the Radio House in Area 10 is on the verge of being destroyed by some powerful private greedy faceless individuals riding on the heels of a willing civil servant or government appointee who claim to have the Minister of Information backing,” the letter stated.

The petitioners further alleged that a retired FRCN staff member, working in conjunction with a serving official, was spearheading efforts to take control of lands surrounding the Radio House complex.

“It is no longer news within the Radio House community where a parastatal of government through a retired staff in Federal Radio of Nigeria Corporation is trying to usurp the power of a substantive ministry by taking over the lands around the iconic Radio House building for pecuniary benefits,” they alleged.

The staff also claimed that portions of the government land had allegedly been allocated to private interests, resulting in alterations to the aesthetic outlook of the complex.

“The said individual has gone far in destroying the beauty of the major landmark in Abuja by allegedly selling lands within government premises using his connection in government circles to his friends through PPP,” the letter added.

Of particular concern to the workers is the reported relocation of a mosque within the premises to an area close to a church, a move they argued could have implications for religious harmony.

“Right now, he had started the relocation of the mosque from its present location to a place near the church building without considering religious harmony with serious future backlash, albeit selfishly,” the petition claimed.

The workers further alleged that plans were underway to construct a private event centre and other commercial facilities on the land, describing the proposed development as contrary to the public interest.

They argued that the project failed to take into account the already inadequate parking spaces within the complex and could worsen congestion for staff and visitors.

The petitioners also raised security concerns, noting that Radio House shares a boundary with the Army Headquarters.

“The proposed structures by this civil servant and his co-travellers will be a security breach as the Radio House shares boundary with the Army Headquarters, which is yet to be notified presumably,” the letter stated.

The staff further expressed fears that existing restaurants operating within the premises could be demolished under the new arrangement, despite agreements requiring them to develop the facilities and pay annual ground rents.

According to the petition, the planned redevelopment would transfer control of the facilities to private operators who may charge higher rents, with potential consequences for staff welfare and visitors.

Consequently, the workers called on the FCT Minister to halt the project and protect what they described as a national asset.

“Subsequently, we beseech the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, to urgently intervene by nipping in the bud this selfish adventure to a national treasure in the FCT bordering the Nigeria Army Headquarters Abuja,” the letter concluded.

As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, as well as the management of FRCN, had not publicly responded to the allegations. The claims contained in the petition could not be independently verified.