The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent for over 40 years.
A total of 8,375 property owners in key areas such as the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape have reportedly failed to pay Ground Rent in the last 43 years.
The announcement was made during a press briefing by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, alongside the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
According to Olayinka, several public notices were issued in national newspapers and broadcast media since 2023, urging defaulters to settle their outstanding payments. However, these efforts yielded minimal response.
“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand,” he explained.
A compiled list of defaulters includes properties located in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC), covering:
- Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00)
- Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01)
- Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02)
- Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03)
- Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04)
- Maitama (Cadastral Zones A05 & A06)
- Wuse II (Cadastral Zones A07 & A08)
- Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09)
As of the end of 2024, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed in Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. Among them, 4,794 land titles have been in default for at least 10 years, violating the conditions of their Right of Occupancy under Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith,” Nwankwoeze stated.
Meanwhile, a 21-day grace period has been granted to title holders who have defaulted for one to ten years. Failure to make payments within this timeframe will result in further revocations.
