Breaking News: Tinubu Intervenes in FCT Ground Rent Crisis, Grants 14-Day Grace to Defaulters

ABUJA – In a significant intervention, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has granted a 14-day grace period to owners of 4,794 properties whose titles were recently revoked in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) due to decades of unpaid ground rent. This decision comes after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced a rigorous enforcement exercise yesterday, May 26, 2025, affecting properties owned by government institutions, corporate organizations, and individuals alike.

The enforcement drive, which saw some high-profile properties sealed – including premises of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Access Bank – was initiated to recover outstanding ground rents spanning between 10 and 43 years. The FCTA, through the Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, had emphasized its commitment to unbiased enforcement.

However, following President Tinubu’s intervention, all affected property holders now have two weeks, starting from today, to settle their outstanding ground rents along with stipulated penalties.

Penalty Structure for Defaulters:

1.Central Area: Defaulters will pay a penalty of N5 million in addition to the owed ground rent.

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2 Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts: A penalty of N3 million will be charged, in addition to the ground rent owed.

3.Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II: Defaulters in these districts will incur a N2 million penalty, alongside their ground rent arrears.

Minister Wike Extends Grace Period for Title Regularization and Other Bills
In a related development, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has also extended a similar 14-day grace period to all property holders in the FCT. This applies to:

1.Minister’s Consent and Deed of Assignment: Individuals who have purchased properties but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment at the FCT Department of Land Administration must do so within this two-week window.

2.Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) Bills: All property holders are urged to pay up their outstanding R-of-O and C-of-O bills, as failure to comply within the 14 days will risk the revocation of their titles.

Director Nwankwoeze, in a statement released on Monday, reiterated the FCTA’s stance that timely payment of all property-related bills and charges is crucial for the government to continue funding essential developmental projects across the FCT for the benefit of its residents.

This dual intervention from both the President and the FCT Minister aims to provide a final opportunity for defaulters to regularize their property documents and settle their outstanding obligations, preventing further widespread revocations.

The FCTA had previously indicated in March 2025 that property owners collectively owed approximately N6.9 billion in ground rent, an amount deemed unacceptable given the administration’s efforts to boost its internally generated revenue.