The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles due to the non-payment of ground rent for more than ten years.
Announcing the decision in Abuja on Monday, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, stated that as of the end of 2024, a total of 8,375 property owners owed approximately N6.97 billion in ground rent.
According to him, most of the defaulters are in high-profile areas such as the Central Business District, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, with some neglecting their payments for as long as 43 years.
Olayinka emphasized that the failure to fulfill these financial obligations violates the terms of the land allocation, as stipulated in Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
He noted that ground rent is a statutory payment expected from all landowners annually, beginning on January 1st, without the need for a reminder.
He recalled that since 2023, the FCTA had issued multiple notices through newspapers and broadcast media, urging defaulters to settle their outstanding payments.
However, the response remained minimal, leaving the administration with no choice but to revoke the land titles of those who had failed to pay for over a decade.
A 21-day grace period has been granted to those in default for between one and ten years. If payments are not made within this timeframe, their land titles will also be revoked.
Speaking on the matter, the FCTA’s Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, explained that the affected properties are located in the oldest districts within Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City. He added that revocation notices would be sent to individuals, private organizations, and government agencies occupying land in Cadastral Zones A01 to A09.
He further stated that the revocation process would be carried out in stages, with Phase II—including districts such as Gudu, Durumi, Wuye, Katampe, Jabi, Mabushi, Utako, and Daki Biyu—next in line.
With the cancellation of these land titles, ownership has now reverted to the FCTA, and the minister will determine the next course of action regarding their future use.