The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles in Abuja due to non-payment of ground rent totaling N6.9 billion over the past 10 years and beyond.
A statement from Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the revocation following a press briefing by the Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwanwkoeze on Monday.
Massive Ground Rent Defaults in Prime Locations
According to the statement, a total of 8,375 property owners in Central Area, Garki I & II, Wuse I & II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape have failed to pay their ground rent over the last 43 years, accumulating N6,967,980,119 in unpaid fees.
Out of these, 4,794 properties have been in default for at least 10 years, leading to immediate revocation of their land titles. The remaining defaulters, who owe less than 10 years, have been granted a 21-day grace period to settle their debts or face revocation as well.
FCT Authorities Issued Repeated Warnings
The FCT Administration (FCTA) emphasized that ground rent payment is a legal obligation, as stipulated in the Land Use Act, and is due on January 1st every year without demand.
Olayinka noted that the FCTA had made multiple announcements and newspaper publications since 2023, urging defaulters to pay their dues, but only a few responded. The government has now moved forward with enforcement.
The affected districts include:
- Central Area (Cadastral Zone A00)
- Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01)
- Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02)
- Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03)
- Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04)
- Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05 & A06)
- Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07 & A08)
- Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09)
Final Ultimatum for Landowners
The immediate revocation applies to those owing for 10 years and above, while defaulters within 1-10 years must pay within 21 days or also risk losing their land titles.
Compensation Ordered for Gishiri Community
Meanwhile, Minister Wike has directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, to immediately compensate residents of Gishiri Community or face dismissal.
This directive came during a meeting at the Minister’s official residence in Abuja on Monday, signaling a firm stance on land administration and compensation issues in the FCT.
