Wike cancels 5,000 land titles over unpaid ground rent in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken decisive action by revoking 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent for over 40 years.  

According to the FCT Administration (FCTA), the affected properties are located in key districts of Abuja, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape. The revocation follows multiple warnings and public notices urging defaulters to clear their outstanding arrears.

The decision was disclosed in a press briefing by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, alongside the FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.

Olayinka noted that; the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023.

He called on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents.

“All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay,” he said.

He further highlighted that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is backed by existing legislation and stipulated in the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy.

“Ground Rent payments are due annually on the first day of January, without demand.

“As at the end of 2024 and up till today, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. In other words, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent up to last year, 2024,” the Director of Lands, Nwankwoeze, revealed.

The Director emphasized that out of the total defaulters, 4,794 property owners had failed to pay Ground Rent for over a decade, violating the terms of their Rights of Occupancy.

Consequently, he said that the lands titles have been revoked in accordance with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.

“A grace period of 21 days has also been extended to property owners who have defaulted on Ground Rent payments for between one and ten years. Should they fail to comply within this period, their titles will also be revoked,” he said.