In a sweeping crackdown on land defaulters, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has revoked 4,794 land titles across Abuja’s most elite districts, citing decades of unpaid Ground Rent.
For over 40 years, thousands of property owners ignored repeated demands to settle their dues, pushing the government to take decisive action. Now, the axe has fallen—and Abuja’s most powerful landowners are on notice.
Elite Districts Affected
The affected properties include some of the most sought-after locations in Nigeria’s capital, spanning:
Central Area
Garki I & II
Wuse I & II
Asokoro
Maitama
Guzape
With ₦6.9 billion in unpaid Ground Rent piling up, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) decided enough was enough.
“No More Warnings” – FCTA Declares
Announcing the mass revocation, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, alongside FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly.
“Since 2023, we have issued multiple notices in newspapers and on air, urging defaulters to clear their debts. Still, many refused to comply,” Olayinka stated.
The administration reiterated that paying Ground Rent is not optional—it’s the law. Under the terms of the Right of Occupancy, all landowners must pay Ground Rent on January 1st of every year, without waiting for reminders.
The Legal Justification: Land Use Act Invoked
The government’s decision is backed by Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which grants the FCTA authority to revoke land titles when owners fail to meet their obligations.
As of December 2024, data showed that at least 4,794 property owners had defaulted for over a decade, flouting the law while holding on to valuable real estate.
A Final Warning: 21 Days to Pay Up
For those whose debts range between one and ten years, the FCTA has granted a 21-day grace period to settle their outstanding payments.
“After 21 days, all remaining defaulters will also lose their land,” the administration warned.
The Fallout: Who Loses & Who Gains?
With thousands of land titles revoked, the fate of these prime properties now hangs in the balance. Will the government auction them to new investors? Will well-connected elites scramble for last-minute settlements?
One thing is clear: Wike has drawn the line, and Abuja’s landowners are now facing the full force of the law.
