The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) and the University of Abuja have formalised a partnership to establish a centre dedicated to the preservation, research, and promotion of the heritage of Abuja’s original inhabitants.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Thursday at the university, marks a significant step toward building the Abuja Original Inhabitants Centre within the institution.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, described the proposed facility as a future international hub of excellence. He expressed confidence in the project’s durability, assuring that it would stand the test of time.
Fawehinmi further pledged the full administrative backing of the university to ensure the project’s successful delivery, noting that as the only public university in Abuja, the institution possesses the human capital required to drive the initiative to completion.
In his remarks, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, CHRICED’s Executive Director, underscored the strategic importance of the centre, describing it as a platform that will document, preserve, and amplify the history, culture, and rights of Abuja’s original inhabitants.
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He added that the centre, with support from MacArthur Foundation, would also serve as a research and policy hub for scholars across Africa, contributing to conversations on indigenous identity, inclusion, and development.
Zikirullahi appreciated the university for embracing the partnership, noting that with the MoU now signed, attention would shift to implementation despite prevailing economic challenges.
“Now that we have formalised this partnership, the responsibility is on us to deliver. We are committed to ensuring that construction begins soon, hopefully by next month, once all architectural approvals are secured,” he said.
Also speaking, Momodu Kassim Momodu, CHRICED’s Board Chairman, said the centre would attract researchers from across the world when completed, positioning the university as a focal point for indigenous studies.
Prof. Momodu assured the institution of CHRICED’s full cooperation, describing the organisation as one with a strong track record of impactful and well-executed projects.
He expressed optimism about the pace of work, noting that the project would progress rapidly and ultimately become a source of pride for Africa.
“CHRICED has consistently demonstrated a strong capacity for delivering impactful and well-executed projects. I believe this centre will be delivered swiftly like a speed of light and grow to become a source of pride for Africa.” He noted.
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In his contribution, Prof. Matthew Dada, Director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies at the university, described the signing of the MoU as historical.
According to him, the centre would give Abuja’s original inhabitants a stronger sense of identity and belonging within the academic space.
Similarly, Shiva Rae Kondoun, the university’s Bursar, expressed confidence that the centre’s indigenous focus would attract global interest and patronage.
Highlights of the occasion included strong commitments from both parties, with stakeholders expressing confidence that the centre could redefine how indigenous knowledge and identity are documented and integrated into Africa’s development discourse.