The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to 34 embassies in Abuja over unpaid ground rent arrears dating back to 2014, raising the possibility of shutting down the defaulting properties.
This development was revealed in a report by The PUNCH, which indicated that the cumulative debt from the embassies totals over N3.6 million. While several institutions—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)—were earlier listed among defaulters, they have reportedly cleared their debts.
A public notice from the FCTA highlighted the embassies that have defaulted in payments, despite numerous reminders. On May 26, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered the revocation of 4,794 land titles across the territory for long-standing failure to pay ground rent—some of which had not been paid in decades.
President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day extension for affected parties to settle their obligations, with the deadline ending today.
Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands at the FCTA, stated that in addition to paying the outstanding amounts, defaulters may face fines between N2 million and N3 million, depending on the property’s location.
Among the embassies named in the FCTA’s publication are the missions of Ghana (Defence Section), Thailand, Ivory Coast, Russia, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia, Tanzania, Germany, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, Sierra Leone, India, Sudan, Niger Republic, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia (Defence Attaché), as well as delegations from the European Union, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China (Economic and Commercial Office), South Africa, and Equatorial Guinea.
Some embassies have denied owing any rent. The Russian Embassy said it had fulfilled all financial obligations and held the receipts to prove it. Similarly, the Turkish Embassy expressed confusion over its inclusion on the list and suggested it may be due to a clerical error. A spokesperson from the German Embassy insisted they had not received any debt notification and stated all payments had been completed by the end of 2024.
Ghana’s High Commission noted it had yet to receive formal communication but planned to reach out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification. An official at the Sierra Leone Embassy said they were unaware of the issue but would investigate further.
Responding to the denials, Lere Olayinka, spokesman for the FCT Minister, assured that the administration would investigate and verify claims by the missions.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, cautioned that embassies are protected by the 1961 Vienna Convention and should not be subjected to harsh actions. He advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the issue diplomatically and individually.
International relations expert Charles Onunaiju also warned that applying local property laws to diplomatic entities could violate international treaties and potentially harm bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, the PDP has confirmed it resolved its outstanding obligations, with a party source stating that payment was completed the previous Friday. The FIRS, whose offices were sealed temporarily on May 26 over unpaid rent, also settled its dues. A senior official, Tyofa Abeghe, said the agency made a payment of over N2.3 million three months after receiving a demand notice in September 2023.
NAPTIP has likewise reportedly cleared its rent after its premises were affected by the enforcement action.
Olayinka noted that the confirmation of payments can be delayed due to the various channels used—such as Remita—and stressed the need for timely submission of payment receipts.
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