The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced enforcement against owners of over 1,000 properties in Abuja who have failed to settle statutory land-related charges, despite several months of public notices and warnings.
The move follows the approval of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for action to be taken against the affected properties across high-brow districts, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.
According to the FCTA, enforcement became necessary after repeated appeals published in national newspapers, online platforms, and television stations between May and November failed to yield compliance from the defaulting title holders.
This was according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Friday, titled, “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills.”
Introducing the enforcement action, the statement partly read: “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/Violation fee and Land Use Conversion fee.”
Providing further details on the affected areas, while explaining the long period of non-compliance by property owners, it added, “The 1,095 are property titles in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse districts of the Federal Capital City (FCC).”
“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/liabilities or risk losing their titles.”
Olayinka also quoted the minister as approving the measures against the defaulting property owners. He stated:
“The general public, particularly holders of property in the FCT, are hereby notified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. 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 explained that despite repeated warnings, many title holders failed to settle outstanding fees, in violation of the Land Use Act
The statement continued, “Despite the several publications/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/liabilities to the FCTA namely – Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) Bill, Penalty/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 added that all grace periods had elapsed, paving the way for immediate enforcement by the FCTA. He said:
“Following the expiration of the final grace period of fourteen (14) calendar days on Tuesday, the 25th of November 2025, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on the 835 properties for defaulting in payment of Ground Rent and 260 properties for defaulting in payment of Violation Fee and Land Use Conversion Fee.”
