President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stepped in to halt the sweeping revocation of 4,794 properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over decades-long failure to pay ground rents, granting defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their debts and avoid permanent loss of ownership.
The affected properties, some of which have outstanding payments dating back 10 to 43 years, include holdings by government institutions, corporate organizations, and private individuals.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had earlier revoked them in a move described by the Director of Lands , Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, as a demonstration of “the Administration’s resolve to execute its mandate without fear or favor.”
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Nwankwoeze, said: “By Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days, that is, two weeks, to settle all outstanding ground rents with the associated penalties.”
The FCTA has pegged penalty charges based on the location of the property: Central Area: N5 million plus the ground rent arrears; Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape: N3 million plus arrears; and Wuse 1, Garki 1, Garki 2: N2 million plus arrears.
In addition to clearing outstanding ground rents, individuals who purchased properties but have not registered their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 41 days to do so at the Department of Land Administration.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike has also approved a 14-day grace period for all property holders across the FCT to clear any outstanding Rights of Occupancy bills or face revocation of their land titles.
According to the Director: “The Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as and when due, so the government can continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”
The action is part of broader efforts by the FCTA to sanitize land administration in the capital city, improve transparency, and enhance revenue for urban development.
