Abuja Land grab alarm: FRCN staff beg Wike to stop ‘backdoor sell-off’ of Radio House grounds”

Worried employees of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to step in fast and halt what they claim is a forced seizure of state land around the landmark Radio House in Abuja.

In a petition to the FCT Minister signed by Nicholas James for “Concerned Staff”, the workers accused powerful figures of trying to carve up parts of the Radio House estate for private business use, hiding behind a Public-Private Partnership deal.

The letter, titled “Forceful Take Over of Government Land at Radio House, Garki, an Appeal to Safeguard National Interest,” said the move threatens the reputation of one of Abuja’s most visible public institutions.

The staff says the Area 10, Garki complex is under pressure from “mighty, faceless, profit-hungry private actors,” they allege are being aided by people inside government.

“The iconic government building, Radio House in Area 10, is about to be ruined by some mighty, faceless, greedy private players riding on a compliant civil servant or appointee who claims to have the Minister of Information’s backing,” the letter read.

They further alleged that a retired FRCN worker, teaming up with a current official, is leading the push to take over land around the broadcast complex.

“It is now common talk within Radio House that a government agency, through a retired FRCN staff, is trying to override the authority of the parent ministry by grabbing land around the iconic Radio House for personal profit,” the petitioners claimed.

According to them, sections of the federal land have already been handed to private parties, changing the look and feel of the compound.

“The individual has gone far in wrecking the beauty of a key Abuja landmark by allegedly selling off plots inside government property, using political connections to pass them to friends through PPP,” they added.

A major flashpoint for the staff is the reported move of a mosque on the premises to a spot near a church. They warned this could strain religious relations.

“At the moment, he has begun relocating the mosque from its current site to an area close to the church building, ignoring religious harmony and risking serious future fallout, all for selfish gain,” the letter stated.

The workers also said there are plans to build a private event hall and other commercial structures on the land, calling the proposal anti-public interest. They noted the complex already lacks enough parking, and the new buildings would worsen traffic and congestion for workers and guests.

Security was another concern. Radio House shares a fence with Army Headquarters, yet the staff said the military has not been informed.

“The structures being pushed by this civil servant and his allies would create a security risk, since Radio House borders the Army Headquarters, which has apparently not been notified,” the petition read.

They also fear existing restaurants on the site could be pulled down under the new plan, even though those operators had agreements to upgrade the facilities and pay yearly ground rent. The redevelopment, they argued, would hand control to private managers who may hike rents, hurting staff and visitors.