President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate suspension of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) aggressive property seizure campaign over unpaid ground rent in Abuja, following widespread public criticism and concerns over due process.
The intervention comes after FCTA officials began sealing off thousands of properties on Monday, including high-profile buildings reportedly owned by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sparking outrage among affected individuals and institutions.
In a swift response, President Tinubu directed a temporary halt to the enforcement operations and granted a 14-day grace period for property owners to pay up their outstanding dues.
Confirming the President’s directive, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT, said:
“Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years.
“Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.
“However, the President, Bola Tinubu, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.”
Under the new directive, defaulting property owners in the Central Area must pay a N5 million penalty in addition to the outstanding rent. In Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape, the penalty is N3 million, while those in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will pay N2 million.
The FCTA also issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners of properties acquired without proper documentation — including the Minister’s Consent and Deed of Assignment — to regularise their titles or risk revocation.
FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, extended the grace period to all property holders, urging them to settle all outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.
“Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration,” the statement added.
“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (TWO WEEKS) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles.”
Wike further advised all FCT property owners to pay their statutory dues promptly to help the government continue developmental projects across the city.
The sweeping enforcement had earlier seen the sealing of the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, by FCTA officials over unpaid rent.
Ground rent is an annual fee that landowners must pay for the right to occupy and use their land.
In March 2025, Minister Wike had revoked 4,794 land titles in Abuja over non-payment of ground rent, with enforcement beginning on Monday following a press briefing by Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control.
