FCTA enforcement begins against 1,095 Abuja properties over unpaid land charges after repeated warnings

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, acting on the approval of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday commenced FCTA enforcement measures against owners of 1,095 properties across Abuja for prolonged failure to settle statutory land charges.

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The administration’s action follows months of ignored public notices issued between May and November urging title holders to clear outstanding Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy bills, Land Use Conversion fees and penalty charges.

The affected properties are located in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse, some of the city’s most valuable districts.

Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, announced the development in a statement titled “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills”. Olayinka stated that 835 of the properties were flagged for non-payment of Ground Rent while 260 fell short on violation and conversion fees.

He noted that the administration’s repeated appeals were disregarded by many high-value property owners, a trend that has strained revenue required for infrastructure development, municipal services and the maintenance of the capital’s expanding urban footprint.

According to Olayinka, the final 14-day grace period elapsed on 25 November, leaving the FCTA with no lawful option but to act under Section 28 of the Land Use Act, which permits revocation where title holders fail to fulfil their obligations. The enforcement is expected to include sealing, repossession and other statutory measures.

Minister Wike has in recent months issued stern warnings that the administration would not tolerate the disregard of land-related obligations. He described the persistent default as a barrier to the orderly growth of the capital city.

The minister’s approval of the latest action signals a decisive shift towards stricter compliance, a move officials say is necessary to prevent governance from becoming a spectacle of impunity.

The FCTA has intensified land administration reforms since May, issuing multiple public notices and conducting verification exercises aimed at addressing irregularities.

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Officials said the latest enforcement marks a significant step in protecting the integrity of Abuja’s land system while ensuring that public resources are not undermined by prolonged non-compliance.

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