From Staffwriter
President Bola Tinubu has granted a 14-day grace period to property owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to settle longstanding ground rent arrears or risk losing their land titles.
The president’s intervention follows a sweeping enforcement operation by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which began on Monday and resulted in the sealing of 4,794 properties over unpaid rent, some dating back over four decades.
Among the sealed properties were high-profile institutions, including the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), an Access Bank branch at Wuse Market, a Total filling station, and a Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) building in Zone 5.
The closure of the FIRS office drew sharp criticism from the agency, which described the move as “malicious” and “unprofessional.” In response, President Tinubu held a meeting with FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji at the State House, Abuja, resulting in a temporary reprieve for affected property owners.
In a statement on Monday, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT, confirmed the president’s directive and outlined the conditions of the grace period.
Defaulters in the Central Business District must pay a ₦5 million penalty in addition to outstanding rent. Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape will incur a ₦3 million fine, while property owners in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II are expected to pay a ₦2 million penalty.
The statement also stressed that individuals who purchased land but have not yet obtained the mandatory Minister’s Consent to formalise their ownership must do so within the 14-day window.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike further announced an extension of the ultimatum to all property holders, urging them to settle arrears on their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) or face revocation of their land titles.
This is not the first time the FCTA has taken such action. In March, it revoked the land title of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in the Central Business District over 19 years of unpaid ground rent.
The FCTA has clarified that owners of the affected properties may still appeal for reinstatement of their titles—provided they settle all outstanding financial and administrative obligations within the stipulated period.
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