Esther Imonmion
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday commenced enforcement actions against owners of 1,095 properties in Abuja who failed to pay statutory land-related charges despite several months of public notices and warnings.
The action followed the approval of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and affects properties located in high-brow districts including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, titled “Commencement of Enforcement Actions on Defaulters of Ground Rent Payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O Bills,” the FCTA said enforcement became necessary after repeated notices published between May and November failed to secure compliance.
According to the statement, the affected properties were revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, Penalty/Violation fees and Land Use Conversion fees.
“The 1,095 property titles are located in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse districts of the Federal Capital City,” the statement read. “Despite several public notices issued from May to November in national dailies, online platforms and television stations requesting defaulters to settle their financial obligations, the affected title holders failed to comply.”
Olayinka said the minister approved the enforcement after all grace periods expired.
“The general public, particularly holders of property in the FCT, are hereby notified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, 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 for defaulting in various payments,” he said.
He explained that the default contravened Section 28, subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, as well as the conditions attached to the Rights of Occupancy.
“Following the expiration of the final grace period of 14 calendar days on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on 835 properties for defaulting on Ground Rent and 260 properties for defaulting on Violation and Land Use Conversion fees,” the statement added.
Local media report that the FCTA has intensified efforts in recent months to recover outstanding statutory charges across the Abuja metropolis.
In May 2025, the administration began issuing multiple public notices warning title holders to clear accumulated debts on Ground Rent, C-of-O bills, Land Use Conversion fees and penalty charges. The FCTA said persistent default, particularly by owners of high-value properties in prime districts, was contributing to revenue shortfalls needed for infrastructure development, maintenance and service delivery.
The minister had repeatedly warned that the administration would no longer tolerate violations of land title conditions or disregard for statutory obligations.
The FCTA is expected to begin sealing, repossession and other statutory enforcement activities on the affected properties in line with the approval and relevant legal provisions.