Wike revokes 4,794 land titles in Abuja over unpaid ground rent
By Kunle Sanni
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent, a mandatory annual fee for landowners in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, 8,375 property owners in key districts—including Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape—have failed to pay their ground rent for up to 43 years.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had earlier published a list of defaulters in November 2024, urging them to settle their debts. However, multiple recovery attempts were unsuccessful, prompting the administration to take action.
“Payment of ground rent on landed properties in the FCT is backed by existing legislation. It is stipulated in the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy and is due for payment every January 1st without demand,” the statement read.
Olayinka disclosed that as of late 2024, property owners owed ₦6.97 billion in ground rent. Among them, 4,794 land titles had been in default for over a decade, leading to their revocation.
The affected properties are located in some of the oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC), including:
- Central Area District (A00)
- Garki I (A01) & Garki II (A03)
- Wuse I (A02) & Wuse II (A07, A08)
- Asokoro (A04)
- Maitama (A05, A06)
- Guzape (A09)
The FCTA has warned that further enforcement measures could be taken against defaulters who fail to comply with payment obligations.
