May 23, (THEWILL) – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to take permanent possession of properties recently revoked over non-payment of ground rent, beginning Monday, May 26, 2025.
This was disclosed during a joint press briefing on Friday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka; Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.
On March 18, 2025, the FCTA revoked 4,794 land titles across highbrow districts including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, due to accumulated debts spanning several years.
Among the affected plots is the land on which the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is situated in Abuja.
Nwankwoeze explained that the revoked plots were part of a larger list of 8,375 titles with outstanding ground rent payments ranging from one to 43 years.
“These 4,794 properties were among the total of 8,375 land titles on which ground rent was not paid for periods ranging from one year to 43 years,” he said. “It is important to state that payment of ground rent on landed properties in the FCT is backed by law. It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy and is due on the first day of January each year without demand.”
He added that the FCTA had earlier given a 21-day grace period to defaulters owing between one and ten years of rent arrears to pay up or risk revocation.
“Relevant agencies are now compiling records of compliance and non-compliance in line with this directive. As we earlier stated, once titles are revoked, ownership reverts to the Federal Capital Territory Administration.”
He further stated that from Monday, May 26, the FCTA would begin taking physical possession of the affected properties through relevant government agencies.
“This will be done strictly in line with the law and without regard to the previous ownership of the properties,” he said.
Also speaking, Galadima said the properties would be sealed off and access restricted starting from the announced date.
On claims that some affected titleholders had approached the courts, Nwankwoeze clarified that there was no court order restraining the FCTA from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
“There is no subsisting court decision against the revocation process. The FCTA remains empowered to proceed with its lawful duties on the affected properties,” he said.
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