Grants 14-Day Grace to Settle Debts, Penalties Pegged by Location
Property Owners Get 41 Days to Register Titles, Obtain Minister’s Consent
By TOYIN ADEBAYO, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the planned revocation of 4,794 properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), offering a 14-day grace period for owners to clear long-standing ground rent arrears and avoid permanent loss of their properties.
The revoked titles, some of which have unpaid dues ranging from 10 to 43 years, span properties owned by government agencies, corporate entities, and private individuals. The move initially announced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was part of a sweeping enforcement effort aimed at restoring fiscal discipline and compliance in land administration.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Director of Lands, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the President’s timely intervention was intended to offer a final window of relief to affected property owners.
> “By Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days, that is, two weeks, to settle all outstanding ground rents with the associated penalties,” he stated.
Penalties Based on Property Location
According to the Lands Department, the penalties for defaulters vary by location:
Central Area – N5 million plus the full arrears
Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Guzape – N3 million plus arrears
Wuse I, Garki I, Garki II – N2 million plus arrears
In addition to settling outstanding rent, all new property owners who have not obtained the mandatory Minister’s Consent or registered their Deeds of Assignment now have a 41-day deadline to comply. The directive is part of an intensified effort to formalize property ownership and update the FCTA’s land records.
14-Day Grace for Rights of Occupancy Bills
In a parallel move, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has approved a 14-day grace period for all property owners in the territory to pay up outstanding Rights of Occupancy bills or risk revocation.
Mr. Nwankwoeze explained:
> “The Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as and when due, to enable the government to continue executing developmental projects for the benefit of residents.”
The revocation and penalty framework is part of broader reforms aimed at sanitizing land administration, boosting internally generated revenue, and ensuring accountability in the use of Abuja’s valuable urban space.
