The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced large scale enforcement actions against more than one thousand property owners in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, following prolonged failure to settle compulsory land related charges imposed by the government.
This clampdown was initiated after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, gave formal approval for action to be taken across prime neighbourhoods of the Federal Capital City, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse. Okay News reports that the enforcement follows an extended period of warnings to affected title holders.
According to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the measure became unavoidable after months of reminders published in national newspapers, online platforms and broadcast stations from May to November did not result in meaningful compliance by defaulting owners.
The development was contained in an official statement released on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka. The document, titled “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills,” explained the scale of properties involved.
Introducing the enforcement process, the statement said: “The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 property titles in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that were revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-OF-O) bill and Penalty or Violation fee and Land Use Conversion fee.”
Providing additional clarity, the statement noted that: “The 1,095 are property titles in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse districts of the Federal Capital City (FCC).”
It further explained that: “The owners had ignored a series of public notices, made from May to November, this year, by the FCTA in national dailies, online platforms and television stations, requesting defaulters to settle their financial obligations or liabilities or risk losing their titles.”
Lere Olayinka also quoted the Minister as endorsing the measures. He said: “The general public, particularly holders of property in the FCT, are hereby notified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON has approved the commencement of enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City (FCC) for defaulting in various payments.”
He emphasized that repeated warnings had been issued over several months without corrective action by the owners, describing the conduct as a violation of the Land Use Act.
The statement said: “Despite the several publications or public notices made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in some national dailies, online platforms and television stations requesting defaulters to settle their financial obligations or liabilities to the FCTA namely – Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) Bill, Penalty or Violation Fee, and Land Use Conversion Fee, the underlisted property holders have failed to comply. This contravenes the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act and also the terms and conditions of grant of the respective Rights of Occupancy.”
Olayinka confirmed that all grace periods have ended. He stated: “Following the expiration of the final grace period of fourteen calendar days on Tuesday, the twenty fifth of November two thousand and twenty five, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on the eight hundred and thirty five properties for defaulting in payment of Ground Rent and two hundred and sixty properties for defaulting in payment of Violation Fee and Land Use Conversion Fee.”
In recent months, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has intensified recovery efforts to boost revenue for infrastructure maintenance, development and service delivery. Officials had raised concerns that persistent defaults by high value owners in premium districts were affecting the city’s fiscal stability.
Minister Wike has repeatedly stated that the administration will not tolerate breaches of land title conditions or disregard for statutory obligations. With approval now secured, the Federal Capital Territory Administration is expected to begin sealing, repossessing or taking other legal enforcement steps in line with existing regulations.
