President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing enforcement against ground rent defaulters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), granting a 14-day grace period for affected property owners to settle their outstanding payments.
This intervention follows the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) recent commencement of enforcement actions on 4,794 properties whose titles were revoked due to non-payment of ground rent for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
The Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, announced this development at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday evening.
He specified that defaulters will also be required to pay penalty fees: N5 million for properties in the Central Area, N3 million for those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape districts, and N2 million for properties in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II, in addition to their owed ground rent.
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“Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years. Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.
“The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.”
“For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed. Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed. Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed,” he stated.
Nwankwoeze also addressed issues surrounding unregistered property transfers. He urged individuals who have purchased properties but haven’t yet formalized their ownership to do so within the next two weeks.
This involves obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment.
“All those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (two weeks) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.”
In addition, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has urged persons yet to pay their Rights of Occupancy bills to do so within the next two weeks or risk revocation of their titles.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (two weeks) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles..”
The Director also warned that, “Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”
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