Tinubu Intervenes In FCT Ground Rent Issues, Gives PDP And Others 14-Day Grace

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to temporarily stop sealing properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, giving defaulters a 14-day window to settle their debts.

On Monday, May 26, the FCTA began shutting down more than 4,000 properties for failing to pay ground rent, some overdue for up to four decades.

Affected buildings included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat and buildings occupied by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Access Bank, Total Energy, and Ibro Hotel, all located in Wuse Zone of the federal capital.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had previously instructed officials to take over these properties. But by Monday night, President Tinubu stepped in, suspending the enforcement temporarily for 14 days.

In a statement on Monday evening, the FCT Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the president’s intervention means affected property owners now have two weeks to clear their outstanding ground rent and penalties.

The statement reads, “Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years.

“Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.

“However, the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding ground rents, with associated penalties.

According to the statement, property owners in different areas of the FCT will have to pay fines based on their location in addition to the ground rent they owe.

“For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.

“Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.

“Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed,” Nwankwoeze said.

He added that anyone who has bought property but hasn’t legally registered their ownership—by obtaining the Minister’s Consent and registering their Deed of Assignment—must do so within 14 days at the FCT Department of Land Administration.

Wike has also extended this two-week grace period to all landowners in the FCT who haven’t paid their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) charges.

The FCTA reminded owners that staying current on their property fees is essential to allow the government to fund infrastructure and development projects that benefit everyone in the capital.

The statement said that “all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (two weeks) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.”

“Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (two weeks) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles.

“Going forward, the minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”

This comes a few hours after FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike announced his withdrawal from all reconciliation efforts previously agreed upon by the PDP to resolve the party’s internal crisis.