The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to commence enforcement against defaulters of Ground Rent, Land Use Change/Conversion fees, and holders of unregularized Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills starting Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the move follows the expiration of previously granted grace periods for defaulters.
He recalled that on May 26, 2025, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, had granted defaulters 14 days to settle outstanding Ground Rent, including associated penalties.
Olayinka further noted that notices regarding the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause were published in national dailies and online platforms on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025, giving property owners 30 days to pay a ₦5 million penalty and other applicable fees for land use change or conversion.
Additionally, another public notice extended a final 14-day grace period for compliance to property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts. While the grace period for Ground Rent expired on June 9, 2025, the extension for land use change and conversion ends on Monday, November 24, 2025.
The enforcement will target all defaulters, including individuals who purchased properties from previous owners but have yet to regularize their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment.
Olayinka emphasized that the FCTA is committed to ensuring compliance with land administration regulations in the Federal Capital Territory and warned that defaulters would face strict enforcement measures once the grace periods expire.
