FCT Minister warns violators as N5 million fines set for Abuja land offenders; titles at risk
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja, September 2, 2025
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has approved a N5 million penalty for land-use violations in Abuja, directing that payment be made within 30 days. The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, during a meeting in which he received reports from two ad-hoc ministerial committees reviewing controversies surrounding River Park Estate and examining land-use/purpose clauses of properties overtaken by commercial activities.
In a statement signed by Rabi Musa Umar, Assistant Director, Press, Office of the Honourable Minister, Wike expressed concern over the widespread violations, warning that failure to comply with the stipulated penalties would lead to revocation of titles. “I’m aware that certain areas are designated for residential purposes, certain areas are designated for commercial purposes, but people believe that they can do anything without appropriate involvement… We must apply the sanctions as required, and anybody who does not comply, we have no choice but to revoke the title and withdraw it,” he stated. The committees were inaugurated on Friday, August 8, 2025, with a two-week timeframe to submit recommendations.
The FCT General Counsel, Barr. Salman Dako, presented the directives of the River Park Estate committee. Recommendations included withdrawing undeveloped plots and reverting them to the FCT Administration, allowing compliant holders to retain their titles, relocating affected owners to Kpoto District, and establishing a Transitional Special Management Committee (TSMC). The committee also directed that all stakeholder departments refrain from engaging with Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited, Paulo Homes Limited, Common Consultants Limited, or any entities acting on their behalf, except under express ministerial mandate.
The committee on land-use violations, chaired by Town Planner Mukhtar Galadima Usman, recommended a one-way traffic system on Usuma Street, upgrades to electrical substations and waste management systems, and the mandatory development of undeveloped plots in the Central Business District and Sector Centres within Phase II. Holders of undeveloped plots were instructed to commence development within three months, failing which their titles would be revoked.
Wike assured that all recommendations from both committees would be fully implemented. “Sanctions will be enforced strictly to restore law and order in the FCT. We are committed to ensuring that land in the nation’s capital is used appropriately in line with planning regulations,” he affirmed.
