The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles over non-payment of ground rent, amounting to N6.9 billion owed for more than 40 years.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the decision followed a press briefing by the Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwanwkoeze.
According to the statement, a total of 8,375 property owners in key districts, including Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, had failed to pay ground rent for up to 43 years.
“As of the end of 2024, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed by 8,375 property owners. Out of this, 4,794 land titles have been in default for 10 years and above,” the statement read.
Olayinka explained that multiple announcements had been made through national newspapers and broadcast media since 2023, urging defaulters to pay up, but many failed to respond.
He noted that payment of ground rent is a legal obligation, as stipulated in the Right of Occupancy terms, which requires yearly payments without demand.
The statement listed the ten affected districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City as Central Area, Garki I, Wuse I, Garki II, Asokoro, Maitama, another section of Maitama, Wuse II, another section of Wuse II, and Guzape.
“Titles of properties in default of payment for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith. However, those owing for less than 10 years have a 21-day grace period to settle their debts, after which their titles will also be revoked,” Olayinka added.
Meanwhile, Wike has directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, Richard Dauda, to immediately pay full compensation to residents of the Gishiri community or face dismissal.
The directive came during a meeting with community members at his official residence in Abuja on Monday, following a demolition exercise to clear structures obstructing the construction of Arterial Road N16, linking the community with Katampe District.
Residents accused the FCDA’s Department of Resettlement and Compensation of paying only N72,000 instead of the approved compensation.
They also alleged that non-indigenes were excluded from the payments despite having their homes demolished.
Angered by the claims, Wike ordered the immediate disbursement of the N1.3 billion compensation he had approved, an increase from the previous N655 million due to economic hardship.
“Go and pay people their money, and the exact amount. If you do anything different, you will regret it. Pay people their rightful money,” Wike warned.
He also condemned the exclusion of non-indigenes from compensation, stressing that payments should be based on property ownership, not ethnicity.
“I have warned you before—don’t tell anyone they are non-indigenes. If I own a property and a road is passing through it, why should I not be compensated? The government does not pay compensation based on where you come from, but based on property ownership,” Wike stated.
