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 by Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka; the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, and the 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.”
The 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 on-going court cases, the 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.”