FCTA TO BEGIN PHYSICAL TAKEOVER OF 4,794 PROPERTIES OVER UNPAID GROUND RENT FROM MAY 26

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will commence the physical takeover of 4,794 properties in Abuja beginning Monday, May 26, 2025, following the revocation of land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning up to 43 years.

This was disclosed on Friday during a joint press briefing by the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka; the Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and the Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima.

According to the officials, the affected properties are located in prominent districts of the Federal Capital City, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape. The government says the revocation was executed in line with Section 28(5) (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers authorities to reclaim land over violations of the terms of occupancy.

“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties has already reverted to the FCTA,” the officials stated. “As from Monday, the government will begin exercising its right of ownership over the affected properties without consideration of current occupancy. The process will strictly follow existing laws and regulations.”

The properties are part of a broader list of 8,375 defaulting land titles previously announced by the FCTA on March 18, 2025. Among them is the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently under construction in the Central Business District.

The FCTA revealed that the defaulting property owners collectively owe over N6.96 billion in ground rent, with some arrears dating back more than four decades. While a 21-day grace period was granted to those with less than 10 years of unpaid rent to settle their debts, that deadline has since elapsed.

“The administration is compiling records of compliance and non-compliance and will act accordingly,” said Nwankwoeze. “Ground rent is a statutory obligation outlined in the terms of the Right of Occupancy and is payable annually on January 1 without demand.”

Responding to reports that some property owners had filed legal challenges, Nwankwoeze clarified that no court ruling currently restrains the FCTA from executing the revocations.

Meanwhile, Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, said the enforcement exercise will involve sealing off affected properties and restricting access beginning Monday. Decisions on the future use of the repossessed properties will be made subsequently by the FCTA.

The revoked properties are situated within ten of the oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City, covering Central Area (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (A01), Wuse I (A02), Garki II (A03), Asokoro (A04), Maitama (A05 and A06), Wuse II (A07 and A08), and Guzape (A09).

The FCTA maintains that the action is a necessary enforcement of legal and financial accountability in the management of Abuja’s land resources.