The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos chapter, has expressed concern over the continued encroachment on lands belonging to the university, particularly around the Naraguta area.
The union raised the issue during a press conference addressed by its Chairperson, Jurbe Joseph Molwus, at the University of Jos.
Molwus warned that the growing encroachment around Naraguta village and other bordering areas of the campus poses a serious threat to the university’s land and future development.
“Back home here in the University of Jos, we reported and it was noted the ongoing encroachment in the land of the University of Jos, especially around the Naraguta village bordering areas of the campus,” he stated.
He called on the Plateau State Government to urgently intervene and protect the institution’s property from further invasion.
“We therefore in the same vein call on the Plateau State Government to come in quickly and help protect the University of Jos land from further encroachment,” Molwus added.
The ASUU chairperson noted that university lands are critical assets meant for academic expansion, research facilities, student development projects, and other institutional purposes.
He warned that failure to safeguard such lands could affect future infrastructural development and disrupt the long-term growth of the institution.
Molwus also linked the concern to similar developments in other parts of the country, including attempts to take over lands belonging to federal universities.
According to him, such actions could weaken cooperation between federal and state governments in promoting educational development.
The union maintained that lands legally allocated to universities must be protected to preserve the integrity and future of higher education institutions in Nigeria.
ASUU-UNIJOS therefore urged relevant authorities, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting the university’s territorial boundaries and preventing further encroachment.
