The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced it will begin the physical takeover of 4,794 properties in Abuja from Monday, May 26th, following the revocation of their land titles due to non-payment of ground rent for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
The move, which affects properties in high-value districts such as Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, was disclosed during a joint press briefing on Friday by key FCTA officials, including Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media; Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration; and Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control.
According to the FCTA, the revocation and subsequent takeover are in line with Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers government to repossess land for breaches of terms of occupancy.
“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties… had already reverted to the FCTA. As from Monday, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership… in line with extant laws,” the officials stated.
This development follows the March 18th announcement by the FCTA listing 8,375 properties in default, including the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party currently under construction. The administration said the affected property owners collectively owe over N6.96 billion in unpaid ground rent.
While the FCTA had granted a 21-day grace period for property owners with arrears of less than 10 years, that window has closed, and revocations will proceed accordingly, said Nwankwoeze. He emphasized that ground rent payments are legally mandated and due annually on January 1st, without demand.
Responding to reports of legal actions by some owners, Nwankwoeze clarified that “there was no court decision on the revocation,” hence the FCTA remains within its legal rights to enforce the takeovers.
Galadima noted that starting Monday, affected properties will be sealed and access restricted, pending further decisions on their future use.
The affected properties span ten of the oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City, including Central Area (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I & II (Zones A01, A03), Wuse I & II (Zones A02, A07, A08), Asokoro (Zone A04), Maitama (Zones A05, A06), and Guzape (Zone A09).
