President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s enforcement action against defaulting property owners, granting a 14-day grace period for payment of outstanding ground rents.
This follows the FCTA’s identification of 4,794 properties with unpaid ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, FCTA Director of Land Chijioke Nwankwoeze announced: “The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s order, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days to pay what they owe, along with the penalties.”
The penalty structure varies by location: Central Area properties: N5 million fine plus owed ground rent; Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape: N3 million fine; Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II: N2 million fine.
Nwankwoeze emphasized that both individual and corporate property owners are affected. He issued a special warning to those who purchased properties without proper documentation: “All those who purchased properties but haven’t registered their ownership have 14 days to get the Minister’s Consent and register their Deeds of Assignment with the Department of Land Administration.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reinforced the ultimatum, stating: “Anyone who fails to pay these bills risks losing their property. There will be no extension after the 14 days.” The minister stressed that defaulters could forfeit their Right of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy.
The FCTA urged timely payment of property charges to support infrastructure development in the capital city. This enforcement action represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to recover long-outstanding ground rents in Abuja’s history, with the presidential intervention providing a final window for compliance before stringent measures take effect.