The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has introduced wide-ranging reforms in land administration, aimed at enhancing efficiency, boosting revenue, and curbing land racketeering. The reforms, approved by FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, will take effect from April 21, 2025.
Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, who disclosed this on behalf of the Minister, said the new policies cover critical areas including the issuance and conditions of Statutory Right of Occupancy (R-of-O), titling of Mass Housing and sectional interests, and regularization of Area Council land documents.
He explained that, under the new guidelines, land allottees will have 21 days from the date of offer to make full payment of bills, fees, rents, and charges related to their R-of-O. Failure to do so within the timeframe will render the offer invalid.
“In the past, there was no specific deadline for payment or penalty for delays, which led to revenue losses, stalled development, and increased land speculation,” he said. “From now on, any R-of-O bills paid after 21 days will be deemed invalid.”
Furthermore, the FCTA has shortened the development window for land allottees, who must now complete development on their plots within two years from the date of R-of-O issuance.
On Area Council land allocations, Nwankwoeze emphasized that all lands in the FCT are classified as urban, requiring regularization to statutory titles. Of the 261,914 documents submitted for regularization since 2006, only 8,287 have been vetted, and just 2,358 successfully converted—a backlog the FCTA is now determined to address.
He said vetted landowners will have 60 days to settle all prescribed payments or forfeit the regularization.
In a bid to restore order in the Mass Housing sector, the FCTA also announced a new framework for processing titles and recognizing sectional interests. Despite over 400 mass housing allocations granted since 2000, only two developers have met the terms of their agreements.
“The new framework will take effect from April 21. Subscribers and developers are expected to initiate the titling process through the Department of Land Administration,” he said, adding that most estate occupiers have held properties for years without remitting any fees to the government.
Nwankwoeze said the reforms reflect the Minister’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and orderly land management in the territory.
