The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the commencement of a new enforcement campaign targeting property owners in Abuja who are indebted to the government. The initiative is set to begin next week and aims to address outstanding payments related to ground rents, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees, and land use conversion charges.
This decision was revealed following the first Executive Council meeting of the FCTA for 2026, presided over by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. During a briefing for journalists, the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, outlined the enforcement strategy, which includes sealing properties and revoking land titles for defaulters. Nwankwoeze emphasised that the focus of the campaign will be on properties originally designated for residential use that have been illegally converted to commercial purposes without fulfilling necessary statutory obligations.
Nwankwoeze identified several areas in Abuja, including Aminu Kano Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, and parts of Garki Areas 7 and 8, as locations that have already been reviewed by the administration. He explained that while the FCTA had agreed to regularise some of these conversions in line with planning regulations, many property owners failed to pay the required fees. The upcoming operation is expected to be broader than last year’s campaign, which successfully targeted unpaid ground rents.
The director noted, “We are talking about properties along Aminu Kano Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, and most of the streets in Area 8 Garki, where properties were originally allocated for residential purposes but have been converted to commercial land uses illegally.” He stressed that the FCTA’s actions are aimed at ensuring compliance and maintaining the integrity of the city’s planning regulations.
To ensure transparency in the enforcement process, Nwankwoeze stated that the system is automated, meaning no preferential treatment will be given to anyone, regardless of their status. “There are no exceptions. Once we run a query on our system, whoever owes will be identified,” he asserted. He further explained that despite the FCTA’s repeated notifications through national newspapers and social media, compliance rates have remained disappointingly low.
The FCTA’s efforts to recover outstanding statutory land charges have intensified since mid-2025, driven by persistent revenue shortfalls impacting infrastructure and city maintenance. Between May and November 2025, the administration issued multiple warnings to property owners to clear their arrears, but compliance remained inadequate. As a result, the FCT Minister has approved immediate enforcement actions against properties in high-value districts, including Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, and Wuse.
This enforcement campaign aims to ensure that property owners fulfil their financial obligations to the government, thereby enabling the FCTA to continue providing world-class infrastructure and maintaining the city to the desired standards. Nwankwoeze concluded by urging property owners to visit the Abuja Geographic Information Systems or the Land Administration Department to settle any outstanding bills and avoid potential sanctions as the enforcement begins.
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