The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent for over a decade.
A detailed breakdown revealed that 8,375 property owners in major districts of Abuja have failed to pay Ground Rent for over four decades, accumulating an outstanding debt of N6,967,980,119 as of the end of 2024. The affected districts include: Central Area (Cadastral Zone A00); Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01); Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02); Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03); Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04); Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05 & A06); Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07 & A08); and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).
While the 4,794 revoked land titles belong to defaulters who have not paid for over 10 years, the FCTA has provided a 21-day grace period for those who are behind on payments between one and ten years.
"A grace of 21 days is also given to title holders in default for between one and ten years, after which the affected titles will also be revoked," a statement read.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the FCTA has notified property owners time without number about their outstanding obligations without any positive response.
"The FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and Ground Rent. All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay," Olayinka stated.
The FCTA therefore stressed that payment of Ground Rent is a legal obligation under the terms and conditions of land ownership in the FCT. The Land Use Act, Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b), grants the government the authority to revoke titles for non-compliance with payment regulations.
"Payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is due for payment on the first day of January each year, without demand," Nwankwoeze explained.
The revocation of land titles is expected to pave the way for proper land management, urban development, and increased revenue generation for the FCT.