*As FCTA lists default penalties
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the takeover of 4,794 revoked properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over non-payment of Ground Rent for prolonged years.
Shortly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced the sealing of the properties affected, President Tinubu came to the aid of the property owners by granting a 14-day moratorium period for them to settle their outstanding obligations and regularise their documents.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday started the sealing off the 4,794 property it identified as owing.
Some of them included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat at Wuse Zone 5, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at Central Area, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Maitama, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the Central Area.
Others are CONOIL Plc, Borno State Government, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National university commission (NUC), M.R.S Investment Company Limited (owners of MRS Petrol Stations) and Kaduna State Government.
Also on the list are the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, University of Calabar, Nigerian Postal Service and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), among several others.
The intervention was made after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles for non-payment of ground rent for more than 40 years in March and gave series of extensions.
It is the first time FCTA embarked on such enforcement since the movement of the nation’s federal capital to Abuja from Lagos.
The decision to enforce the Ground Rent payments drew widespread criticisms, with several people calling it a tactic to intimidate the opposition political parties
However, the President intervened, instructing Minister Wike to suspend the revocation, providing a 14-day extension window for settlement of the bills.
This decision was first made public in a statement by Mr. Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Later in the day, Engr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, FCT, issued another statement explaining the ramifications and the penalties to be paid, nonetheless.
The statement dated May 26th, 2025, and titled “We Commenced Enforcement on the 4,794 Properties Revoked for Non-Payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years, the Director stated:
“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.
“However, 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.
“Also, 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.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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.
“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 at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people”.
