Daniel Otera
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will begin enforcement actions next Wednesday, November 26, 2025, against property owners in Abuja who have failed to pay statutory fees, including ground rents and land conversion charges.
The crackdown, announced by the office of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, targets individuals and corporate entities with outstanding liabilities. Defaulters risk having their properties seized or facing other enforcement measures.
According to a statement on Thursday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister, defaulters include those who have not paid ground rent, land use change or conversion fees, Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) bills, or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills. It will also cover property buyers who have not regularised their ownership by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their deeds of assignment.
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Olayinka recalled that on May 26, 2025, following an intervention by President Bola Tinubu, Minister Wike had granted a 14-day grace period for the payment of outstanding ground rents and penalties. Further notices were published on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025, giving property owners a 30-day window to pay penalties, including a ₦5 million fee for unauthorised land use change or conversion.
A final public notice later granted defaulters in highbrow districts such as Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse a 14-day grace period to comply.
“Consequently, the FCTA will from Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payment and Land Use Change/Conversion fee, as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills,” Olayinka stated.