FCTA begins enforcement against Abuja property owners

1,095 properties in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse face immediate action after months of public notices

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has begun enforcement actions against owners of over 1,000 properties in Abuja who failed to pay statutory land-related charges despite several months of reminders.

The move follows the approval of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, directing officials to act on properties with long-standing debts. The affected titles are located in key districts, including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse.

According to the FCTA, multiple public notices were issued between May and November across national newspapers, online platforms and broadcast outlets. The administration said the notices warned owners to settle outstanding Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy bills, Land Use Conversion fees and penalty charges or risk enforcement.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed the development in a statement titled “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills.”

He said the administration is acting on 1,095 property titles that were revoked over non-payment of the required charges. Out of this number, 835 properties defaulted on Ground Rent and 260 properties defaulted on violation fees and Land Use Conversion fees.

“The general public, particularly holders of property in the FCT, are hereby notified that the Minister has approved the commencement of enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City for defaulting in various payments,” the statement said.

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The FCTA noted that the affected owners ignored repeated warnings spanning several months. It added that the defaults violate the provisions of Section 28, subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, as well as the terms attached to the grant of their Rights of Occupancy.

Olayinka explained that the administration issued a final 14-day grace period which expired on November 25, 2025. With the deadline past, the FCTA said it will now commence sealing, repossession and other legal enforcement measures.

The administration has intensified its revenue recovery efforts in recent months, especially from high-value properties in prime districts of the city. Officials say the accumulated debts have contributed to revenue gaps needed for infrastructure development, city maintenance and service delivery across Abuja.

Minister Wike has repeatedly stated that the administration will enforce compliance with land title conditions and will not overlook prolonged defaults.

The enforcement exercise is expected to begin immediately across the listed districts.