By OBSERVERS TIMES
In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing enforcement actions against property owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who have defaulted on ground rent payments. The President has announced a 14-day grace period for these property holders to settle their outstanding obligations and regularize their documentation.
The announcement was made by Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT, during a press briefing on Monday evening in Abuja.
Nwankwoeze revealed that enforcement measures began on May 26, 2025, affecting a total of 4,794 properties that had been revoked due to non-payment of ground rent, some of which had been outstanding for as long as 43 years. The properties in question span various ownership types, including government institutions, corporate entities, and private individuals.
He emphasized the FCT Administration’s commitment to carrying out its responsibilities impartially, stating, “However, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, holders of the affected properties have been granted 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding ground rents, including applicable penalties.”
The penalties for non-compliance vary by district:
For properties in the Central Area, a penalty of N5 million will be imposed in addition to the owed ground rent.
Defaulters in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape districts will face a N3 million penalty alongside their arrears.
In Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II, the penalty is set at N2 million plus the outstanding ground rent.Additionally, individuals who have acquired properties from others but have not yet registered their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment are also required to do so within the same 14-day period at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
In a related development, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has extended a similar 14-day grace period for all property holders in the FCT to pay their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills to avoid revocation of their titles.
Wike urged all property owners to ensure timely payment of all relevant charges to facilitate the government’s ongoing development initiatives for the benefit of the community.
