President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a suspension of the ongoing takeover of 4,794 properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that were slated for revocation over long-standing unpaid ground rent. He has granted a 14-day grace period for property owners to settle outstanding dues and regularize their documents.
Sources reports that on Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) began sealing off these properties, which include notable institutions such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Other affected entities include CONOIL Plc, Borno State Government, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National University Commission (NUC), M.R.S Investment Company Limited (owners of MRS Petrol Stations), Kaduna State Government, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, University of Calabar, Nigerian Postal Service, and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had approved the revocation of these land titles in March due to over 40 years of unpaid ground rent and had extended several deadlines. However, the move faced widespread criticism, with opponents alleging it was aimed at intimidating the opposition. In response, President Tinubu intervened, directing Wike to halt the revocations and extend the payment window by 16 days.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, confirmed the President’s directive in an official statement.
The statement detailed penalty fees for defaulters based on location:
- Properties in the Central Area face a penalty of N5 million plus the owed ground rent.
- Properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts must pay N3 million plus ground rent.
- Properties in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will pay N2 million in addition to the ground rent owed.
Additionally, property owners who purchased lands but have yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment have been given 14 days to complete these formalities with the FCT Department of Land Administration.
Wike has also granted a two-week grace period for all property holders in the FCT to clear their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, warning that failure to comply will lead to revocation of titles.
The Minister urged property owners to ensure timely payment of all bills and charges moving forward, emphasizing that this is essential for the government to continue developmental projects for the benefit of the people.
