President Bola Tinubu has approved a 14-day grace period for property owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to settle their outstanding ground rent and accrued penalties, following a major enforcement push by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). This move comes amid intensifying efforts by the FCTA to recover billions of naira in unpaid dues from thousands of defaulters, some of whom have not met their financial obligations for over four decades.

Tinubu’s Directive Follows FCTA Enforcement Drive

Announced during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday by Chijoke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land at the FCTA, the president’s directive is part of a larger plan to enhance compliance with land ownership regulations in the capital. The announcement, which was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), emphasized that this grace period is a final opportunity for defaulters to avoid further punitive actions.

Nwankwoeze revealed that the FCTA recently repossessed 4,794 properties whose owners had failed to pay ground rent for extended periods. The cumulative debt owed by these property owners exceeds N6 billion, with arrears ranging from 10 to as many as 43 years.

Sealed Properties Include Political Party Offices and Major Institutions

The FCTA’s enforcement operations have already affected a number of high-profile properties. Authorities sealed buildings belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Access Bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Chinese Cultural Centre, most of which are located in the bustling Wuse Zone 5 district of Abuja.

These actions, while controversial, have underlined the administration’s resolve to crack down on long-standing rent defaulters and enforce compliance with land administration laws.

Financial Penalties Based on District Classification

As part of the grace period terms, the FCTA has set specific penalty fees for different areas in the FCT. These vary based on the value and location of the properties:

• Central Business District: ₦5 million per property

• Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape: ₦3 million

• Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II: ₦2 million

These penalties apply in addition to the accumulated rent arrears and must be cleared within the 14-day window to avoid further sanctions.

Additional Mandate for Land Registration and Documentation

Beyond the payment of overdue ground rent, the FCTA also urged landowners to ensure that all property registration requirements are met. This includes obtaining the Minister’s Consent and registering Deeds of Assignment — key processes required for securing valid land title documents in the FCT.

Property owners who fail to complete these steps within the specified time frame risk penalties, including the potential loss of their property rights.

Separate Deadline for Right of Occupancy and C-of-O Fees

Further tightening compliance measures, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has also issued a separate 14-day deadline for the payment of Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees. Noncompliance may lead to the revocation of rights, which would make the properties susceptible to repossession or reallocation.

Wike stressed that these fees are crucial for formalizing land ownership in the capital and that consistent delays threaten the integrity of the FCT’s property database.

Government Justifies Measures as Necessary for Development

The FCTA maintains that the stringent measures are necessary to ensure a consistent flow of revenue to fund critical infrastructure and urban development initiatives across the capital. Ground rent and related land charges are a major source of internally generated revenue (IGR) for the administration, enabling the government to deliver services and maintain urban facilities for residents and businesses alike.

Officials have reiterated that revenue from land charges supports projects such as road construction, healthcare expansion, waste management, and urban planning — services that directly impact quality of life in the territory.

Historical Background of Ground Rent in the FCT

Ground rent is a statutory fee payable by land or property owners in Abuja, derived from the terms outlined in the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the government. It is a form of lease payment to the federal government, which retains ownership of all land under Nigeria’s Land Use Act.

Since the creation of Abuja as the nation’s capital, land administration has remained a sensitive issue, often marked by poor compliance, weak enforcement, and political interference. Several past efforts to enforce payment have faltered due to resistance from politically connected defaulters and the absence of robust follow-up mechanisms.

The Tinubu administration, however, appears determined to reset this narrative by demonstrating political will and administrative consistency.

Analysts Praise Political Will but Caution on Implementation

Urban planning experts and public policy analysts have largely welcomed the move, seeing it as a long-overdue correction in the FCT’s land governance system. However, they have also urged caution in implementation, stressing the importance of fairness, due process, and adequate public sensitization.

According to real estate analyst Kelechi Emezuo, “Enforcement must not be selective. The administration should ensure that the law applies to all, including influential individuals and institutions. If implemented correctly, this could revolutionize land compliance in the FCT.”

What Lies Ahead

As the countdown begins for the 14-day grace period, property owners across Abuja face a stark choice: settle their debts or risk losing their investments. For the government, this initiative represents both a revenue-boosting strategy and a reassertion of control over land administration.

Observers expect the FCTA to follow through on further enforcements if defaulters fail to comply. Given the high-profile nature of the first wave of enforcement actions, it is likely that the administration will make examples of prominent property owners to reinforce the seriousness of its policy.

Ultimately, the coming weeks will test both the resolve of the Tinubu government and the willingness of Abuja’s property-owning class to align with statutory land obligations.