In a decisive move to enforce compliance with land regulations, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to prolonged non-payment of Ground Rent.
The crackdown comes as thousands of property owners in Abuja failed to meet their financial obligations despite multiple warnings from authorities.
The announcement was made on Monday by senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
According to official records, a total of 8,375 property owners across key districts—including Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape—have defaulted on payments for over 40 years.
The accumulated debt now stands at nearly N7 billion.
A Warning Unheeded
Authorities revealed that defaulters had been repeatedly notified through newspaper publications, public broadcasts, and official communications. However, compliance remained low, prompting the FCTA to take stringent action.
Wike, known for his no-nonsense approach to governance, authorized the revocation to restore fiscal discipline and ensure adherence to the Land Use Act.
“The government has exhausted all avenues to encourage compliance, yet many property owners continue to ignore their obligations. The revocation of these titles is a necessary enforcement measure,” an FCTA spokesperson stated.
Legal and Financial Implications
Under Nigerian land laws, the payment of Ground Rent is a mandatory condition tied to the Right of Occupancy.
Failure to fulfill this obligation constitutes a violation of Section 28 of the Land Use Act, which permits the government to revoke ownership of defaulting properties.
Of the revoked properties, 4,794 titles had been in default for at least 10 years while the remaining 3,581 property holders have been granted a 21-day grace period to settle outstanding debts.
Failure to comply within this timeframe will result in further revocations.
Broader Implications for Abuja’s Real Estate Market
The mass revocation has sent shockwaves through Abuja’s real estate sector, raising concerns about potential disruptions in property transactions.
Analysts suggest that affected landowners may face legal hurdles in reclaiming ownership, while prospective buyers are being advised to conduct thorough due diligence before acquiring properties in the city.
Market experts argue that the move could, however, have a positive long-term effect by reinforcing financial accountability in land administration.
“This action will likely compel landowners to take their financial obligations more seriously, ultimately leading to a more structured and disciplined property market,” said a senior real estate consultant.
Government’s Next Steps
The FCTA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing compliance across all districts of the capital city.
Officials have hinted that a second phase of revocations could follow if other landowners with outstanding debts refused to pay.
Meanwhile, property owners who have partially defaulted still have a window to resolve their status before facing similar penalties.
With Abuja’s property market under close scrutiny, stakeholders are now watching to see whether this aggressive enforcement will set a precedent for stricter land governance nationwide.
For now, the message from Wike’s administration is clear: failure to meet financial obligations will come at a cost.
