The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has revoked the titles of 4,794 landowners in Abuja for failing to pay their ground rents. The land titles affected are those of properties that have been in default for 10 years or more.
In a statement released on Monday by Lere Olayinka, the Special Assistant to Wike on Public Communication, the minister explained that a total of 8,375 property owners in key districts of Abuja, including Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, had not paid ground rent for up to 43 years.
Olayinka clarified that ground rent is a mandatory yearly payment that landowners must make to retain the right to occupy and use their land. Despite numerous attempts by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to collect outstanding payments, many property owners failed to settle their debts.
The statement emphasized that the payment of ground rent is grounded in established legislation and the terms of the Right of Occupancy grant, which require payment on the first day of January each year without the need for demand.
As of the end of 2024, the total outstanding ground rent for these 8,375 property owners amounted to ₦6,967,980,119. Of this, 4,794 land titles have been in default for 10 years or more, violating the terms outlined in the Land Use Act (specifically, Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b)).
As a result, Wike has ordered the immediate revocation of these 4,794 land titles. Property owners who have failed to pay ground rent for periods ranging from one to 10 years have been granted a 21-day grace period to make payments. After this window closes, the titles of these properties will also be revoked.
The affected districts are among the oldest in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC), including Central Area District (A00), Garki I (A01), Wuse I (A02), Garki II (A03), Asokoro (A04), Maitama (A05), Maitama (A06), Wuse II (A07), Wuse II (A08), and Guzape (A09).
The move is part of ongoing efforts by the FCTA to enforce compliance with land rent regulations and generate much-needed revenue for development in the territory.
