The 14-day grace period granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for defaulters of ground rent payments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) expired on June 16, 2025. This grace period was introduced to allow property owners with outstanding ground rents—some owing for up to 43 years—to settle their debts and avoid revocation of their land titles.
Over 4,700 properties were previously revoked by the FCT Administration for non-payment of ground rents. The administration had begun sealing off affected properties before the presidential intervention, which temporarily halted enforcement and imposed fines ranging from N2 million to N5 million depending on property location.
Despite the deadline passing, no further directive has been issued by the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) on the next steps. Many defaulters have paid their dues, while others continue to make payments both in person and online via Remita. Notable properties previously sealed include offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Ibro Hotels.
Officials confirmed that foreign embassies, which were initially listed among defaulters, are exempt from enforcement actions due to international conventions, and the foreign affairs ministry is working towards amicable resolutions regarding their ground rent issues.
The FCT Administration maintains that payments will continue until further notice, and defaulters who fail to comply risk permanent revocation and reallocation of their properties regardless of their social or political status. The government urges all property owners to fulfill their obligations to avoid sanctions and support ongoing developmental projects in the territory.
