The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will begin the takeover of properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent, starting Monday, May 26, 2025.
The land housing the permanent headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently under construction in Abuja’s Central Business District, is among the affected properties, having been revoked in March due to several years of unpaid ground rent.
The announcement was made on behalf of Wike during a joint press briefing in Abuja on Friday, featuring key FCTA officials including the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka; Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima.
The officials disclosed that 4,794 titles had been revoked for failure to pay ground rent, with some defaults dating back 43 years. Among the affected properties is the PDP’s permanent headquarters, under construction in the Central Business District of Abuja.
“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts had already reverted to the FCTA.
And as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties,” the officials said.
“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”
The revocations were carried out under Section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to reclaim land when the terms of occupancy are violated, the statement said.
The FCTA said the affected owners had defaulted on over N6.96 billion in ground rent, and recalled that the administration had given a 21-day grace period for owners with debts under 10 years, which has now expired.
Speaking during the briefing, the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, emphasized, “It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of the grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.”
“There was no court decision on the revocation, and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.”
Director of Development Control Mukhtar Galadima confirmed that enforcement would begin on Monday.
He said the FCTA will begin sealing off the affected properties and restricting access on Monday.
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