As many as 34 foreign embassies in Nigeria’s capital city face potential closure after allegedly failing to pay mandatory ground rent for more than a decade. Authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say the missions have defaulted on land lease payments totaling ₦3,662,196 since 2014.

Ground rent refers to the annual fee property holders must pay the government for occupying land, especially in Abuja, where the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) oversees such leases.

FCTA Launches Crackdown on Thousands of Defaulters

On May 26, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike announced a sweeping enforcement action targeting 4,794 properties that have skipped ground rent payments for anywhere between 10 and 43 years. Although the initiative was set to proceed immediately, President Bola Tinubu intervened by granting a 14-day grace period, which officially expired on Monday.

With the grace window now closed, the FCTA is preparing to enforce sanctions. The Director of Lands for the FCT, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said that owners of properties who continue to default could face penalty charges ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million, depending on the property’s location and value.

Foreign Missions on the Default List: From Ghana to China

Among the embassies listed as owing ground rent are several prominent diplomatic missions. These include:

• Ghana – ₦5,950

• Thailand – ₦5,350

• Russia – ₦1,100

• Turkey – ₦3,350

• Ireland – ₦500

• Uganda – ₦5,950

• Germany – ₦1,000

• Venezuela – ₦459,055

Other embassies with significantly higher debts include:

• Zambia High Commission – ₦1,189,990

• Indonesia’s Defence Attaché – ₦1,718,211

• Equatorial Guinea – ₦1,137,240

Additional missions listed include those from Egypt, Chad, Sudan, Niger, India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, China, and Sierra Leone.

Embassies React: ‘We’ve Paid, or We Were Not Informed’

Despite the publication of these debts, several embassies have issued strong denials, insisting they remain compliant with all financial obligations related to their diplomatic premises.

The Russian Embassy rejected the claims outright, stating, “We have consistently paid all land-related bills for our embassy property in good faith and on schedule. We possess all documentation proving our payments.”

A spokesperson for the Turkish Embassy echoed similar sentiments: “We have not received any official notice about this alleged debt. We always pay on time. If this is due to administrative confusion, we will correct it promptly.”

The German Embassy also disputed the allegations, saying, “No such notice or demand has been brought to our attention by the FCTA. As of the end of 2024, all our financial obligations tied to the embassy’s premises have been fully met. We are unaware of any outstanding dues.”

Similarly, the Ghanaian High Commission acknowledged the media report but noted that they had not received any direct communication from Nigerian authorities. “We will contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify the situation,” a spokesperson said.

Some Agencies Have Cleared Their Dues

While some missions contest the FCTA’s claims, several domestic organizations initially named among the defaulters have since addressed the issue. A senior official of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) confirmed that the party resolved its ground rent problem with the FCT administration. “We settled the outstanding payment last Friday. The matter is now closed,” the source confirmed.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) also had its offices temporarily sealed over unpaid land rent. Although the agency initially denied owing any fees, it has now resolved the dispute with the FCTA.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), another body initially listed as a defaulter, has also settled its debt. A source from the agency told The Punch, “It’s all been sorted.”

Diplomatic Sensitivities and Implications for Foreign Relations

The potential closure of embassies over financial disputes underscores a growing tension between the Nigerian government’s push for fiscal discipline and the expectations of diplomatic immunity and courtesy. While Abuja authorities argue that embassies must obey local laws, the diplomatic missions assert that any accusations must follow proper communication channels and due process.

These financial enforcement actions by the FCTA have triggered broader discussions about transparency, due diligence, and the administrative processes within Abuja’s land management system. If these issues remain unresolved, they could complicate Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with affected countries.

What Happens Next?

Now that the 14-day grace period has lapsed, the FCT administration may move forward with enforcement measures. It remains to be seen whether the embassies will receive individual notices or if a more coordinated diplomatic intervention will occur to resolve the standoff.

For now, the ball lies in the court of both Nigerian authorities and the foreign missions. Unless formal communication and payment reconciliations happen quickly, Abuja may see a rare and diplomatically sensitive scenario — foreign embassies facing shutdown over unpaid land dues.