Land Tussle Rocks Abuja! NLC and NSITF Clash Over Priceless Plots
A simmering dispute has erupted into a full-blown public showdown between two powerful national entities: the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). At the heart of this unfolding drama are two highly coveted plots of land in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, sparking a war of words and raising questions about land ownership in the FCT.
The Abuja Land Grab: What's at Stake?
The contention centers on Plot Numbers MISC 54707 and MISC 54824, prime real estate in the Federal Capital Territory.
NSITF's Shocking Claim of 'Lost' Documents: The first shot in this public battle was fired by the NSITF management, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye. In a surprising public notice published in national dailies on Thursday, July 10, 2025, the NSITF declared a profound loss: the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), Power of Attorney, and Deed of Assignment for these two plots. They claim these vital documents, originally in favour of the "Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board," have simply vanished. The NSITF, in their notice, sternly warned the public, including the FCTA's Department of Land Administration and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), against engaging in any transactions involving anyone possessing these "lost" original title documents.
NLC Hits Back Hard: "Our Land, Always Has Been!" The response from the Nigeria Labour Congress was swift and unequivocal. NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, wasted no time in publicly tearing down NSITF's claims. He slammed the publication as "mischievous or utterly ridiculous or hopefully, an act of sheer ignorance." Ajaero's statement left no room for doubt: these plots of land "have always belonged to the Nigeria Labour Congress, belong to the Nigeria Labour Congress and will continue to belong to the Nigeria Labour Congress." More than just a claim, the NLC asserted it is in actual possession of the plots, robustly stating both "proprietary and possessory rights" over the disputed land.
Verbal Volleys: Who Said What?
NSITF Stands Firm: Mr. Alexander Mede, Head of Corporate Affairs for NSITF, issued a counter-statement, reaffirming the Fund's initial stance. Mede stated confidently that the Fund "reaffirms its position as stated in its previous publication and maintains full confidence that the appropriate authorities will resolve the matter in accordance with the law." This suggests the NSITF is gearing up for a potential legal showdown.
NLC Dares NSITF to 'Consult': Comrade Joe Ajaero, not only asserted full NLC ownership but also boldly advised the NSITF to retract their public notice. He urged the NSITF to consult with both the Nigeria Labour Congress itself and Trustfund Pensions for a clearer understanding of the land's true status, hinting at a more complex history behind the ownership. For now, Ajaero stated the NLC is "neither pressing charges nor asking for damages for the embarrassment this public notice has caused us," a statement that could change if the dispute escalates.
What Next? Uncertainty Looms
Legal Battle on the Horizon? As of today, Saturday, July 12, 2025, neither party has officially initiated legal proceedings. However, the NSITF's reference to "appropriate authorities" strongly suggests that a court battle is a distinct possibility if an amicable resolution remains elusive.
FCT Land Registry Under Scrutiny: This high-profile disagreement inevitably casts a spotlight on land administration in the Federal Capital Territory, raising questions about potential ambiguities and overlapping claims that can often fuel such intense disputes.
Public Perception Takes a Hit: The very public exchange of accusations between two significant national institutions has undoubtedly caused a degree of embarrassment, as acknowledged by the NLC.
The situation remains highly dynamic. Whether this land tussle will be settled behind closed doors through dialogue or explode into a full-blown legal epic in the courts to definitively determine the rightful owner remains to be seen. Talksocialtalka will continue to monitor this developing story closely.
