The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the commencement of enforcement actions on more than a thousand properties in Abuja following the failure of their owners to pay mandatory land charges.
The directive covers 1,095 property titles located in key districts of the Federal Capital City, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.
.According to the FCT Administration, owners of the affected properties did not respond to repeated notices urging them to settle outstanding fees.
The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the development on Friday. He noted that the administration had exhausted all available avenues after months of reminders and public announcements aimed at defaulting property owners. According to him, “The general public particularly holders of property in the FCT are hereby notified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON has approved commencement of enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City (FCC) for defaulting in various payments.”
Out of the affected titles, 835 relate to unpaid ground rent, while the remaining 260 were flagged for non-compliance with obligations tied to land use conversion fees, penalties and other statutory charges.
The administration stressed that it did not take the decision hastily, explaining that reminders were issued across newspapers, online platforms and television stations between May and November 2025. These notices cautioned property owners that continued failure to settle outstanding liabilities would lead to revocation and enforcement.
Despite these warnings, many owners failed to comply—an action officials say violates the Land Use Act, which mandates all holders of Rights of Occupancy to fulfil the financial requirements attached to their properties. The statement noted, “Despite the several publications/public notices made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in some national dailies, online platforms and television stations requesting defaulters to settle their financial obligations/liabilities to the FCTA namely – Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) Bill, Penalty/Violation Fee, and Land Use Conversion Fee, the underlisted property holders have failed to comply.”
The Minister approved full enforcement after the final 14-day grace period lapsed on November 25. Olayinka added, “Following the expiration of the final grace period of fourteen (14) calendar days on Tuesday, the 25th of November 2025, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on the 835 properties for defaulting in payment of Ground Rent and 260 properties for defaulting in payment of Violation Fee and Land Use Conversion Fee.”
With the announcement, FCTA officials are now expected to commence seal-offs, recover titles and take other actions permitted under existing land administration regulations.
