The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the enforcement of actions on more than a thousand properties in Abuja after their owners failed to settle mandatory land charges.
This decision affects 1,095 titles spread across major districts in the Federal Capital City, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.
According to the administration, the owners of these properties ignored repeated notices asking them to clear outstanding fees.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister, confirmed the development on Friday.
He explained that the administration had reached its limit after months of reminders and public announcements targeted at defaulters.
According to him, “The general public particularly holders of property in the FCT are hereby notified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON has approved commencement of enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City (FCC) for defaulting in various payments.”
Most of the affected titles — 835 in total — involve outstanding ground rent. The remaining 260 properties were flagged for failing to meet obligations tied to land use conversion fees, penalties and other statutory charges.
The FCTA said it did not rush into the decision. It explained that reminders were issued across national newspapers, online outlets and television stations from May to November 2025.
These notices warned property owners that failure to pay would lead to revocation and enforcement.
Despite that, many owners did not respond. Officials said this amounted to a direct violation of the Land Use Act, which requires all holders of Rights of Occupancy to comply with the financial terms attached to their titles.
The statement added, “Despite the several publications/public notices made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in some national dailies, online platforms and television stations requesting defaulters to settle their financial obligations/liabilities to the FCTA namely – Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) Bill, Penalty/Violation Fee, and Land Use Conversion Fee, the underlisted property holders have failed to comply.”
The Minister approved full enforcement after the final grace period of 14 days expired on November 25.
Olayinka noted, “Following the expiration of the final grace period of fourteen (14) calendar days on Tuesday, the 25th of November 2025, the FCT Administration will carry out enforcement actions on the 835 properties for defaulting in payment of Ground Rent and 260 properties for defaulting in payment of Violation Fee and Land Use Conversion Fee.”
With this announcement, FCTA officials are now expected to begin seal-offs, retrieval of titles and other recovery actions authorised under existing land regulations.
