By Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced that it will commence taking possession of 4,794 properties on Monday, May 26, 2025, following the revocation of their land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent.
According to Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and New Media, “Ownership of the revoked properties has already reverted to the FCTA, and as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.”
The properties in question are located in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts. The FCTA had revoked the land titles in March 2025 due to non-payment of Ground Rent, amounting to N6,967,980,119 owed by 8,375 property owners.
Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, explained that the FCTA had given a 21-day grace period to title holders who were in default of payment for between one and ten years to pay up or have their land titles revoked. “Relevant agencies of the FCTA are already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance with this directive, with a view to acting accordingly,” he added.
The Director of Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, stated that affected properties will be sealed up and access restricted from Monday, May 26, 2025. The FCTA will decide what to do with the properties in due course.
When asked about court cases related to the revocation, Mr. Nwankwoeze said, “There is no court decision on the revocation, and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.”
The FCTA emphasizes that payment of Ground Rent is founded on extant legislation and is due for payment on January 1st each year without demand.
“We did say then that consequent upon the revocation of these titles, ownership of the affected properties has reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Therefore, from Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA will begin to exercise its lawful rights of taking possession of these revoked properties.” – Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration.
