FCTA To Seize 4,794 Abuja Properties Over Unpaid Ground Rent.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to commence the repossession of 4,794 properties in Abuja starting Monday, 26 May 2025, due to prolonged non-payment of ground rent, with some defaults spanning up to 43 years. The move, described as a critical step to enforce compliance with land regulations, targets high-profile districts including Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape.
The decision was revealed during a press briefing on Friday by key FCTA officials, including Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, and Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control. The officials confirmed that the revocation of these land titles, initially announced on 18 March 2025, was enacted under Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which permits the government to reclaim land when occupancy conditions are breached.
Mr Olayinka highlighted that a total of 8,375 property owners owe the FCTA approximately £3.3 billion (N6.96 billion) in unpaid ground rent as of the end of 2024. Of these, the 4,794 properties facing repossession have been in default for over a decade. Notably, the list of defaulters includes prominent entities such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Universities Commission, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the under-construction national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Central Business District.
“Ownership of these properties has reverted to the FCTA, and from Monday, the government will exercise its rights of ownership in line with extant laws and regulations,” Mr Galadima stated. He added that the enforcement process will involve sealing off the affected properties and restricting access, with decisions on their future use to be determined later. Mr Nwankwoeze clarified that no court injunction currently restrains the FCTA from proceeding, dismissing reports of legal challenges.
The FCTA had previously granted a 21-day grace period for title holders with defaults of less than 10 years to settle their debts, a deadline that has now expired. Mr Nwankwoeze noted that the administration is reviewing compliance records for these properties and will act accordingly. He reiterated that ground rent, a statutory obligation due annually on 1 January, is a cornerstone of the Right of Occupancy agreements, and non-payment constitutes a violation of these terms.
This action follows years of warnings from the FCTA, with public notices issued since 2023 urging defaulters to clear their debts. The administration’s push aligns with Minister Nyesom Wike’s broader strategy to boost internally generated revenue to fund infrastructure development in the Federal Capital Territory. In 2023, Mr Wike had warned of revoking titles over £16 billion (N34 billion) in unpaid ground rent, a campaign that saw £900 million (N1.9 billion) recovered by September that year after heightened enforcement.
While the FCTA has indicated a potential window for affected owners to appeal for reinstatement, Mr Nwankwoeze urged them to pursue this route rather than resorting to “blackmail.” The move underscores the administration’s commitment to upholding land administration laws and ensuring financial accountability among property owners in Abuja’s rapidly growing capital city.
As the FCTA prepares to take possession, residents and stakeholders await further details on the fate of these high-value properties and the potential impact on Abuja’s real estate landscape.
