From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to take possession of 4,794 properties across some of Abuja’s most upscale districts, following the revocation of their land titles due to non-payment of ground rent for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years. The enforcement exercise is scheduled to commence on Monday, May 26, 2025.
The decision was announced on Friday during a press briefing attended by key officials, including Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media; Lere Olayinka, Director of Land Administration; Chijioke Nwankwoeze, and Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.
The trio emphasised that the affected properties—located in Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts—have already reverted to the FCTA as a result of the revocation.
“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in these districts had already reverted to the FCTA,” said Olayinka. “As from Monday next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties. This will be done without consideration as to the current ownership of the affected properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, provided further details on the enforcement measures: “Affected properties will be sealed up and access to them restricted as from Monday. The FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.”
Responding to concerns about ongoing court cases, Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, clarified: “There is no court decision on the revocation, and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.”
Nwankwoeze also revealed that the administration is compiling records of compliance and non-compliance among title holders who were in default of ground rent payments for between one and ten years. These individuals were previously given a 21-day grace period to settle their outstanding dues.
“The government will act accordingly as soon as the records are fully compiled and analyzed,” he stated.
The officials reminded the public that on March 18, 2025, the FCTA had announced the revocation of 4,794 land titles in the aforementioned districts. These properties were among 8,375 land titles with unpaid ground rent spanning one to 43 years. At that time, a staggering N6,967,980,119 was owed as ground rent by property owners.
“This contravenes the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act,” Nwankwoeze explained. “Consequently, the titles of the properties in default were revoked in March 2025.”
They noted that the FCTA’s action underscored its commitment to enforcing land use regulations and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations. The administration has reiterated that the process will be strictly guided by extant laws, and that no exceptions will be made for any property owner found wanting.
“It is important to state that payment of ground rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation,” the officials emphasized. “It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.”
With the enforcement set to begin on Monday, they advised affected property owners and residents to seek clarification from the relevant FCTA departments to avoid any misunderstandings.