In a sweeping enforcement operation on Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed the premises of Access Bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ibro Hotel, and Total Energy in Abuja over decades of unpaid ground rent.
The clampdown marks the commencement of the FCTA’s aggressive drive to recover over 4,700 properties recently revoked for non-compliance with land-use obligations, particularly long-standing ground rent arrears.
The exercise kicked off in Wuse District, led by the Director of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, alongside officials from the Department of Land Administration. The action followed a public notice by the FCTA vowing to repossess all revoked properties.
At the sealing of Plot 534, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse Zone 1—occupied by Total Energy—Galadima stated: “Today is about walking the talk. We made our intentions public, and this is the implementation. This property has over 10 years of unpaid ground rent, leading to its revocation in March 2025.”
Another property sealed was the Access Bank branch on Plot 2456, Wuse 1, Cadastral Zone A02. While the bank occupies the premises, the property is owned by Rana Taher Furniture Nigeria Limited and has a 34-year debt backlog.
Galadima confirmed that similar enforcement would extend to the Central Area and other districts in the coming days. “Any allottee who fails to settle outstanding liabilities risks losing their title. The warning is clear,” he said.
Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, reinforced the legal basis of the action. “This building is occupied by Access Bank, but the registered owner is a private firm. With 34 years of unpaid rent, the title has legally reverted to the government,” he explained.
He also disclosed that the FIRS building in Wuse Zone 5 was sealed for failing to pay ground rent for 25 years. “This is just the beginning. We’re targeting over 4,794 properties affected by revocation,” he said.
According to Nwankwoeze, once a title is revoked, all occupants—regardless of current use—must vacate or resolve their legal standing with the FCTA.
Under the leadership of FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike, the administration has prioritized land administration reforms and aggressive revenue generation from ground rent collections.
The FCTA has urged residents, businesses, and institutions to verify their land title status and settle outstanding obligations to avoid similar disruptions.
More details to follow.
