Emma Elekwa
Individuals engaged in farming within the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex in Awka, Anambra state are counting their losses following directives from government asking them to immediately vacate the premises and surrender possession of the land.
The complex serves as the administrative hub of the state government in the state capital.
The government, in a seven-day quit notice contained in an official statement dated April 10, 2026, and signed by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nkiru Jessie Nwankwo, for the Head of Service said the directive affects individuals occupying and utilizing undeveloped parcels of land within the secretariat complex for agricultural purposes.
The notice, titled “Notice to Quit and Deliver Possession (7 Days)”, stated that all affected persons must cease farming activities and remove all crops, tools, equipment, and personal belongings from the land within the stipulated period, which expires on April 17, 2026.
The statement partly reads, “I am directed to inform all persons currently occupying and/or utilizing the parcel of land within the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, for farming purposes, that they are required to immediately vacate and relinquish possession of the said land.
Government possession
“The government, upon expiration of the notice will take full possession of the land without further reference to any individual.
“Any crops, materials, or items found on the land after the deadline would be removed or disposed of accordingly.
“All concerned persons are hereby advised to comply strictly with this directive within the stipulated period.”
CoreTruth gathered that persons the directive might likely affect included a number of civil servants and residents who had informally converted portions of the undeveloped land within the complex into small-scale farms.
While government did not state immediate reason for the eviction, sources within the civil service said the move may not unlikely be linked to plans to develop or reorganize the secretariat environment.
Those affected by the order are yet to react to the directive as of the time of filing the report, but the development is likely to generate concern among families who rely on the plots for subsistence farming amid rising food prices.
