President Bola Tinubu has stepped in to suspend the immediate revocation of land titles in Abuja, granting a 14-day grace period for thousands of property owners to settle decades of unpaid ground rents.
The announcement was made public on Monday evening through a statement by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Earlier reports revealed that the FCT Administration had, as of May 26, commenced enforcement actions against 4,794 properties over non-payment of ground rents, some overdue for as long as 43 years. The affected properties span a wide range of ownership, including individuals, government agencies, and corporate entities.
Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, explained that the enforcement was part of efforts to ensure responsible land management within the FCT.
However, following President Tinubu’s intervention, the FCTA has now given defaulting property owners until mid-June to settle outstanding debts and retain their land titles.
Under the new directive, defaulters must not only pay accumulated ground rents but also incur penalties ranging between ₦2 million and ₦5 million, depending on the location of the property.
In addition, individuals who have acquired land but failed to complete the legal transfer process—by not registering their deeds or obtaining the Minister’s Consent—must regularize their documents within the two-week window.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reiterated the administration’s commitment to enforcing compliance, urging all property owners to clear their outstanding occupancy charges promptly.
“Timely payment ensures that Abuja remains functional and continues to grow,” the minister said.
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