In a decisive move to enforce fiscal discipline and regulatory compliance, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated enforcement actions on 1,095 property titles revoked across Abuja. This action stems from the prolonged non-payment of statutory charges, including Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, Penalty/Violation fees, and Land Use Conversion fees. This is not merely a revenue drive; it is a fundamental assertion of the government’s authority over land administration and a warning against the culture of impunity that has plagued property ownership in the capital.
The affected properties are situated in some of Abuja’s most prestigious and high-value districts: Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse. The concentration of defaults in these affluent areas underscores that this enforcement cuts across all societal strata and is not targeted at any specific group. The FCTA’s message is clear: compliance with the law is non-negotiable, regardless of the property’s location or the owner’s status.
The path to revocation was not abrupt. The Administration followed a rigorous multi-stage due process. According to official statements, the property owners failed to respond to a series of public notices published from May to November 2025 across national newspapers, online platforms, and television channels. These notices served as a final opportunity for defaulters to settle their outstanding obligations and avoid forfeiting their titles. The failure to heed these warnings demonstrates a significant level of negligence or willful disregard on the part of the owners.
In a public notice issued on Friday, titled “Commencement of enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payments, Land Use Conversion Fee, C-of-O bills,” the FCTA announced that the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has approved the immediate commencement of enforcement steps. “The general public, particularly holders of property in the FCT, are hereby notified that the Minister has approved commencement of enforcement actions on a total of 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City for defaulting in various payments,” the notice stated.
The legal foundation for this action is robust. The Administration clarified that the continuous failure by the affected property owners to clear their debts constitutes a violation of Section 28 (5a and 5b) of the Land Use Act. This critical piece of legislation empowers the Governor (or in this case, the FCT Minister) to revoke a Right of Occupancy for reasons including a breach of any term contained in the certificate, or a failure to pay rent as demanded. By not paying Ground Rent—a fundamental charge for holding land from the government—these owners breached the core terms attached to their Rights of Occupancy.
With the expiration of the final 14-day grace period on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the enforcement is now categorized and targeted. The actions will focus on:
– 835 properties defaulting specifically on Ground Rent payments.
– 260 properties owing Violation and Land Use Conversion fees. This latter category often involves properties being used for purposes other than what was originally approved (e.g., a residential building being converted into a commercial complex without authorization and without paying the requisite conversion fee).
The FCTA has assured the public that all further steps will follow due process in line with land administration laws governing the nation’s capital. For property owners and investors, this event serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities that come with property ownership. Ground Rent is not a trivial fee but a core statutory obligation. Proactive engagement with the FCTA’s land department, keeping track of public notices, and settling charges promptly are essential practices to secure one’s investment and avoid the severe consequence of revocation. This enforcement wave will likely have a ripple effect, compelling other defaulters to regularize their status and signaling a new era of stricter regulatory oversight in the FCT’s real estate sector.