Suleja Residents Demand Halt to Market Development Plan

Residents of Suleja, represented by the Suleja Urban Development Association (SUDA), are opposing the Niger State Government's proposal to convert a historical property known as Field Base into a market. SUDA National President Mohammed Ishaq, through Prof. Sulieman Abdul, emphasized that the property, established in 1977 for the Federal Capital Development Authority, was handed over to the Suleja community on October 30, 2007, during the tenure of former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu.

The community had welcomed the allocation for an IBBU campus but is now concerned that the market conversion would detract from educational needs, as Suleja already has several markets. Ishaq alleged that the government revoked the allocation and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a private developer without consulting the community.

SUDA has called for the suspension of the proposed development and for the government to engage with local stakeholders to ensure due process is followed, given the historical significance of the property. The Niger State Government has not yet responded to these allegations.