The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria, Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles over the non-payment of ground rent for more than 40 years.
According to the FCT Administration (FCTA), a total of 8,375 property owners across key districts, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, have failed to pay their ground rent in the past 43 years.
Speaking on the development, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, alongside the FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated that multiple public notices and media announcements had been issued since 2023, urging defaulters to settle their outstanding payments. However, compliance remained low.
Outstanding Debt and Legal Basis for Revocation
The officials revealed that, as of the end of 2024, unpaid ground rent in the FCT amounted to N6.97 billion, with 8,375 property owners in default.
Of these, 4,794 land titles have remained unpaid for 10 years and above, violating the conditions of the Right of Occupancy as stipulated under Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act. As a result, Wike has ordered their immediate revocation.
21-Day Grace Period for Other Defaulters
However, a 21-day grace period has been granted to property owners who are behind on payments for between one and ten years. If they fail to clear their dues within this timeframe, their land titles will also be revoked.
