By Kazeem Ugbodaga
In a sweeping move to reclaim overdue revenue, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles over unpaid Ground Rent stretching beyond 40 years.
The drastic measure comes as thousands of property owners continue to default despite multiple warnings from authorities.
The affected properties are spread across some of Abuja’s most affluent districts, including Central Area, Garki I & II, Wuse I & II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, where a staggering 8,375 property owners have failed to pay their dues for over four decades.
Announcing the revocation, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, alongside the FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, declared that defaulters had been given ample time to settle their debts but refused to comply.
“The FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents. All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay.”
The officials further emphasized that paying Ground Rent is not optional but a legal requirement, clearly stated in the terms of land ownership in the FCT.
“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.”
The crackdown follows alarming revelations that as of the end of 2024, defaulters owed a staggering ₦6,967,980,119 in unpaid Ground Rent. Shockingly, at least 4,794 landowners have refused to pay for over a decade, violating the Land Use Act.
“This is in contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”
With immediate effect, all land titles in default for 10 years and above have been revoked. However, there’s a slim lifeline for those who owe between one and ten years—a 21-day grace period to clear outstanding debts.
“A grace of 21 Days is also given to title holders that are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected titles will be revoked.”
